I need to the two rear tires on the 911, cause 911s eat rear tires. I currently have 205/60/16 but have had a slight rubbing issue because I lowered the car to euro ride height. I'd rather not have to re-index the rear torsion bars again, cause I suck at math, so I was wondering if I could go with a narrower tire? And if I do go with a narrower tire which width should I go to?
What kind of wear is on the rear tires? Are they rubbing the fender lips?
How about rolling the fenders instead?
205/60/16 seems like an odd size for a 911 to me. Is the tire rubbing because it's too wide, or because it's too tall ?
205s are bit small for the back of a 911 so going to 195 in the rear doesn't seem like the solution.
What tires and wheels are on euro spec cars? My first thought is they might have a different off-set on the wheels or they're running 15" wheels. Regardless I'd find out what the exact spec the lower cars run.
So, it's a 1976 911, back when the stock tires were 185/70/15 . The 195s don't seem out of place now that I know that.
A few more details that will hopefully help, originally I had the regular 15x6 Fuchs wheels front and rear when I got it, and then I lowered it Euro ride height and didn't have any rubbing issues. At this time I rolled the fender wells. I honestly don't remember what size tire I was running on the 15's. Later on I found a set of 16x6" front Fuchs, and 16x7" rear with the 205x60x16 tires on both the front and rear. The front does not have any issues, but that that the rears rub inside the fender right on the lip. It rubbed enough to make a little mark all the way around the tire, but a rubber on rounded metal mark, not a cut or slice type of mark.
The tires are worn almost flat across the entire tread, with just a little tread left on the outside edge.
For a 1983 SC car the tire size for the 16 was 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear. However the fender flares on the SC are wider than on my 76.
you might also be able to find 2 more 16x6 wheels should bring it in just enough to run the 205.
Keep in mind also that a 205/60-16 is 0.8" taller than a 225/50-16, and that diameter, and not width, might be the cause of your rub.
spacers could help depending where its rubbing.
There's also spreadsheets available that allow you to plug in numbers and avoid the math and potential for errors.
In reply to octavious :
Another solution to this problem would be to compare tire profiles...all 205/60 -16s are not the same...search tire rack and find a tire that suits you that has a slight smaller section width as measured than your current tire that rubs and your rubbing issues may well go away completely.
The tires are worn almost flat across the entire tread, with just a little tread left on the outside edge.
So, the reason i asked about tire wear is because you can get a little bit of clearance on the outside of the tire by increasing negative camber. If your tire wear is mostly even and your camber is adjustable, it could be a low dollar fix with a minor tire wear impact that you're willing to live with. Otherwise, you're going to need more fender or less tire (or different wheels which is probably your least favorite option).
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