Tire rub on full-lock - spacers?

Arbelac · Post by **Arbelac** » 27 Oct 2007, 19:22

So, I just picked up a nice 2001 V70 T5...with a manual

Car runs great, been maintained well, and has every option in the book, including the 17" wheels.

There are 235/45/17 tires on there right now, and according to the label those are the right size... but they rub on full-lock turns on the front.

Would installing some wheel spacers fix the rub? Any downsides or things to watch for when putting spacers in?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 27 Oct 2007, 19:42

My 16's rub on my S70 on full lock. You can ask JRL but I believe they sell some extensions for the steering stops that will keep you from rubbing but it will decrease your turn radius. Are you sure the correct wheels are on the car? Which ones? If it is a bad rub I would be concerned that non-Volvo wheels are on it and find out about spacers. Otherwise, keep your limitations in mind when you make full turns.

Arbelac · Post by **Arbelac** » 27 Oct 2007, 20:11

Yeah, they are the Volvo rims. Did some additional searching and it looks like it might be due to the higher shoulder on the actual tires.

Wonder if just pushing them out 5mm would do it.

I suppose the other option would be to go with a narrower tire?

Post by **JRL** » 28 Oct 2007, 08:14

The P2 chassis was really not designed for 235/45s and depending on the tire they can and usually WILL rub.
You have a couple of options, you can get R steering stops which will make the turning circle akin to a battleship (43 ft)! or you can try 5mm spacers.
You didn't mention WHICH Volvo wheel and what brand of tire you have on?
It makes a difference with the different offsets and the actual tread block (width) of each brand of tire, some are wider than others.
Some tires are over 1/2" wider than other brands and that is enough to rub.
Why do you think Volvo uses (crappy) Pirellis? They have the narrowest tread block width of all the 235s out there

Arbelac · Post by **Arbelac** » 28 Oct 2007, 11:24

JRL: How do I tell which rim it is? All I can tell is that it's the Volvo factory 17" rim that came with the car in 2001. They have "paired" spokes and have 7 spoke sets.

The tires are Hankook W400 snows.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 28 Oct 2007, 11:57

This them?

Arbelac · Post by **Arbelac** » 28 Oct 2007, 12:52

Yeah, that looks like them. Ooo, good reference...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 28 Oct 2007, 12:57

Really, as JRL said, more than the wheel, the tire size and brand (type) is going to be more telling in your case.

dkretzer · Post by **dkretzer** » 08 Nov 2007, 06:25

As JRL stated there appear to be different stops for wider rims. My only experience with this is my own '02 T5 w/ original 17s which as described, couldn't turn around in New York Harbor without the aid of a pilot boat. It turns like my friend's R. So, if your car was not factory equipped with these rims and tires you may want to seek out those stops.

Post by **JRL** » 08 Nov 2007, 15:19

dkretzer wrote:As JRL stated there appear to be different stops for wider rims. My only experience with this is my own '02 T5 w/ original 17s which as described, couldn't turn around in New York Harbor without the aid of a pilot boat. It turns like my friend's R. So, if your car was not factory equipped with these rims and tires you may want to seek out those stops.

Try the spacers first (5mm)
I have them on my 06R, 18" wheels AND lowered, NO RUBBING!