veu

About 2 years ago I purchased a set of 20 inch Rims and 225/35/r20 Tires. I'm already at the band on the front inner portion of the tires. It seems as if its the same on both of the front tires. I've rotated them before, so the back tires are on their way to getting there as well.

I noticed the inner band so I thought maybe it's rubbing on the suspension, or rubbing while turning. I thought maybe that 225/35/r20 tires were too big, then i noticed that there are several users with this tire set posted in their signatures.

I don't know what to do... I love these rims, my wife loves these rims (although she did scuff em up a bit). Any thoughts?

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...z/Photo-10.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ez/Photo-9.jpg

843de

Well its entirely possible that they are rubbing the lower spring perches on the front struts, and also rubbing when you're at full lock.

What width rims are you running? A quick check with the rim/tire size calculator most of us use here shows that with a 9' wide rim for example, you're at 26.5" OD, the magic rub free number on an HHR is 26" OD.

Here's the calculator link....

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

But to give a more reasoned answer as to what they are rubbing on, we need a bit more info.

veu

Specs: ST-4, 20 x 8.50, 5x110, 38mm Offset w/ GLOSS BLACK finish.

That's what i've gotten off of the website.

843de

Well assuming your tires were new again, and that they fall within the industry standards of a 4%-6% variation in size, you'd be looking at an OD of 26.2". A bit tight to the spring perches, but tires do vary in size by brand.

The standard offset on an HHR is 42mm, so at 38mm you're a bit tight to the inside, so you're probably rubbing the lower spring perch a bit.

It sounds like you've got a combination of tires that are right at the max of OD and an offset that's a bit too shallow. Can you post up some pics of the tires and how they're wearing?

veu

As soon as I get home from work I can post em. It clears the springs stationary. Is there anything that I can do without putting a lift kit on my car to make these rims work? That's assuming the springs are rubbing.

843de

Wheel spacers are one option, also check the fender liners with the wheels turned full lock in both directions, you might be rubbing the fenders instead of the spring perches.

veu

Thanks for the help! I'll post a reply once I get home (went in late, it'll be a while).

prod

If you have lowered the car it could be camber wear.
38mm offset is actually farther out than stock 42mm wheels.

843de

From his photos it looks to be close to stock ride height, but that's a good point prod, camber wear is a possibility.

veu

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m.../WP_000114.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m.../WP_000114.jpg

I have not taken the wheel off, i will be swapping to my winter tires until i can get some replacements, but i want to find the problem so this does not happen again. these tires are only a year and a half old, and they were not put on during winter. PA Winters start early and end late.