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New Tires and Wheels Front Valance Work for Clearance?

jfcroni

jfcroni

Donation Time
Hi All - Has anyone added 15" wheels and new tires - and had to modify the front valance for clearance. If so, can you please comment and or post some pics?
 
P

PROCRAFT

Donation Time
Generally you'll have to trim the valance with larger wheels, but it will also depend on the tire selection.
 
alpine_64

alpine_64

Donation Time
An
PROCRAFT said:
Generally you'll have to trim the valance with larger wheels, but it will also depend on the tire selection.
Click to expand...
And also wheel offset also can make it better or worse.

The leading edge of the front wheel arch can catch on the outside wheel as it turns into a corner on the sunbeams
 
B

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
The tire grabbed, not just rubbed? Any damage to the car?

While backing, my tire grabbed the front lower edge of the fender, which peeled up and lodged between the tire and fender. And there I sat. The tire had been rubbing on the fender lip while going forward, but it was just entertainment. Things got real serious when I attempted to backup.

Bill
 
alpine_64

alpine_64

Donation Time
Bill,

Was a few years ago.. My valence was untrimmed, the tyre grabbed the seam for the wheel arch lip and pulled it down... Not to bad...could have been worse.. I rolled the lip there after
 
jfcroni

jfcroni

Donation Time
Thanks for the feedback All! I'm still trying to decide if going from 13" to the 15" is worth it.
 
Barry

Barry

Diamond Level Sponsor
jfcroni said:
Thanks for the feedback All! I'm still trying to decide if going from 13" to the 15" is worth it.
Click to expand...


Increasing the wheel diameter is not the problem; it is the change to wider wheels combined with wider and taller tires that results in interference with the lower valence. Using the wrong wheel offset / backspace aggravates the situation.
 
Last edited:
mike_also

mike_also

Diamond Level Sponsor
Numbers would be helpful. I, too, am trying to make the decision between 13" and 15" with a +2 tire to keep overall diameter close. I figure 3" of backspace is good, but don't know what a good offset number is. Also, how wide is too wide (195, 205, 215?). My Series 5 is lowered 2" and unrolled fender lips valance. Apologies offered for jumping in, but the OP struck a chord. Thanks.
 
Barry

Barry

Diamond Level Sponsor
mike_also said:
Numbers would be helpful. I, too, am trying to make the decision between 13" and 15" with a +2 tire to keep overall diameter close. I figure 3" of backspace is good, but don't know what a good offset number is. Also, how wide is too wide (195, 205, 215?). My Series 5 is lowered 2" and unrolled fender lips valance. Apologies offered for jumping in, but the OP struck a chord. Thanks.
Click to expand...


Mike,

I sent a PM to you.
 
jfcroni

jfcroni

Donation Time
For those who have already trimmed the valance for tire clearance after upgrading the tires and wheels, do you have any tips on the process?
 
jfcroni

jfcroni

Donation Time
20190416_143230.jpg 20190416_143218.jpg Here's a couple pic of the new wheel and tires. The ones that came off are in the classified area.
 
jfcroni

jfcroni

Donation Time
Yes, they are the 15" LAT for Sunbeam Specialties. They are listed on the SS website and in their catalog. $$$$ though.
 
Billm

Billm

Gold Level Sponsor
Jim what size tires did you go with? And did you have to trim the wheel opening? They look real nice.
 
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