175/65/14 - Will these Rub??

[hckrphil]

Got a set of 14" rims... Just got new tires for the rims.... 175/65/14

Will I have an issue with these rubbing on a stock suspension Festiva???

I tested fitted other tires on my rims and they didn't hit the shock... Where does the rubbing normally happen? Fender?

Thanks!
Phil

[TominMO]

Depends on the rim offset too. Front will be no problem. Rear probably no problem either, if offset is 38mm. I'm running 185/60x14, but had to go to Aspire rear struts, which have higher bottom spring perches, to avoid rubbing just below the Festy perch. You could also use spacers, but Aspire struts are the better way to go.

[perucho]

If you already have the wheels and tires, the best and most accurate answer will come from you when you put them on. Hard to give you a guess of how they will fit without knowing the wheel offset.

[hckrphil]

I'm pretty sure the tires fit fine in regards to the rear strut... When I did a test fit.... But I didn't drive the car.

How much room do you have between the back of the wheel well and the rear tire??

[hckrphil]

How do I find out the offset? Is it stamped somewhere on the rim usually?

If you already have the wheels and tires, the best and most accurate answer will come from you when you put them on. Hard to give you a guess of how they will fit without knowing the wheel offset.

[perucho]

How do I find out the offset? Is it stamped somewhere on the rim usually?

I forgot to say that you also need to know the wheel depth. There may be a number stamped on the wheel (e.g., 42). That represents the offset (in millimeters) from the horizontal center of the wheel to the mounting surface. If that doesn't make any sense, do a quick google search. Much better explanations out there.
The other way you can find out the offset is by measuring the wheel's backspace. Then you can very easily calculate the offset. Again, the internet is your best resource. Good luck!

[hckrphil]

The rims are 5.5" wide. I'll look tomorrow to see if there is anything stamped on the rim.

My only real concern is the back. I don't wanna rub when driving. Granted, it will most likely just be myself usually in the car....... sometimes my wife as well.

Don't really plan on using the Festiva to haul people around in and I have my truck for hauling big things.

[Bert]

If you lay a board or other flat object directly across the inside of a rim (avoiding contact with tire sidewalls) you merely have to measure down with a tape measure, to where the rim contacts the hub, in order to determine the offset. It's not rocket science when you do it that way although the accuracy will only be to the nearest mm.

[hckrphil]

Perfect..... I'll do that tomorrow before mounting any tires to make it easy.

Thanks for that tip

If you lay a board or other flat object directly across the inside of a rim (avoiding contact with tire sidewalls) you merely have to measure down with a tape measure, to where the rim contacts the hub, in order to determine the offset. It's not rocket science when you do it that way although the accuracy will only be to the nearest mm.

[perucho]

If you lay a board or other flat object directly across the inside of a rim (avoiding contact with tire sidewalls) you merely have to measure down with a tape measure, to where the rim contacts the hub, in order to determine the offset. It's not rocket science when you do it that way although the accuracy will only be to the nearest mm.

That measurement is the backspace. The offset will be the backspace minus half the rim width. The convert it to millimeters. And if you are 1 mm off, no worries

Keep in mind that alloy wheels are about 1-inch wider than the spec'd width. Your wheels are 5.5-inches wide inside the wheel lip. You should account for that extra 1/2-inch when you calculate the offset when you use the backspace measurement.

[hckrphil]

So basically for my case....

Backspace - 3.25 = offset

I think that is how I do it...

~Phil

That measurement is the backspace. The offset will be the backspace minus half the rim width. The convert it to millimeters. And if you are 1 mm off, no worries

Keep in mind that alloy wheels are about 1-inch wider than the spec'd width. Your wheels are 5.5-inches wide inside the wheel lip. You should account for that extra 1/2-inch when you calculate the offset when you use the backspace measurement.

[TominMO]

The rims are 5.5" wide. I'll look tomorrow to see if there is anything stamped on the rim.

My only real concern is the back. I don't wanna rub when driving. Granted, it will most likely just be myself usually in the car....... sometimes my wife as well.

Don't really plan on using the Festiva to haul people around in and I have my truck for hauling big things.

Mine are 14x6", so with you running a 175 on a 5.5" width, you'll probably be fine. Just put 'em on and check the clearance between the inside of the tire and the rear strut.

Another thought: if you have vibration at hwy speeds, you should go to aftermarket bolts. Not likely to be an issue with thin steel rims, but probably will be an issue with aluminum rims, which are thicker. Better yet, stick studs in.