<VV> [FC] 17" or 18" wheels on an FC

[jvhroberts at aol.com]

 This is a bit of a broad blanket statement, and not always true. 

Big wheels and tires, in and of themselves, won't do anything to suspension components. However, wheels with the incorrect offset will definitely play havoc with everything. And if the overall diameter is significantly different than stock, then some adjustments to offset need to be made. 

If the overall diameter is about the same, and the offsets are about the same, there shouldn't be any problems. 

The reason the Chryslers you mention have problems is because the offsets are WAY out of whack from stock. 

 

John Roberts
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Harry Smith <harrysmith1957 at gmail.com>
To: David Neale <david.neale3 at ntlworld.com>
Cc: virtualvairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sat, Mar 2, 2013 12:59 pm
Subject: Re: <VV> [FC] 17" or 18" wheels on an FC


Another disadvantage with the large wheels and tires is excessive and
premature wear to the suspension and steering components. I surmise this is
due to the extra weight. Those big wheels and tires are a lot of weight to
hang out there on the end of the control arms. Also so much unsprung weight
has a huge impact on ride quality, handling and braking performance! Since
I started working at a Chrysler dealer with all the 300 and Charger models,
which seem to be a favorite for this "upgrade", I have seen ball joints,
tie rods, control arms and other components torn up in less than 20,000
miles!
Harry Smith
1963 Rampside
Coral Springs, FL

On Sat, Mar 2, 2013 at 12:43 PM, David Neale <david.neale3 at ntlworld.com>wrote:

> I have no experience of anything to do with FC Corvairs.  However ...
>
> Here in Britain, and I suspect across Continental Europe, also, very low
> profile tyres, looking rather like elastic bands, are supplied by their
> manufacturers at a very low price to car manufacturers, who push them as
> an option, in large-diameter format, in cars such as Range Rovers, BMWs,
> and other somewhat high-end cars.  Owner feedback suggests that the life
> of these tyres is very much shorter than 'traditional' types.
> Furthermore, they are extremely expensive to replace.  Again, owner
> feedback suggests that they are indeed more susceptible to damage from
> the increasingly potholed roads we have here in England.  Another
> downside is that cars equipped with large-diameter, very low profile
> 'bling' wheels are significantly harder to sell as used cars, because of
> the great cost of tyre replacement; and there is a concomitant reduction
> in the selling price of a used car so equipped. The emergence of these
> tyres was for marketing and cosmetic purposes only.
>
> David Neale
>
> 1965 140HP Monza convertible 4-speed awaiting paint in leafy
> Leicestershire, England.
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