Date:         Thu, 18 Sep 2003 20:39:19 -0500
Reply-To:     Conrad Klahn <conradk@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Conrad Klahn <conradk@MAC.COM>
Subject:      15" wheels
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Hi,

First:

Any Syncro owners want (5) Audi 15" 5000T rims? I will throw in (20)
long Audi chrome lug bolts and (2) 8mm spacers. I would like to get
$200 which will include shipping via UPS Ground. They have already been
clearanced. They balanced just fine so they are straight.

Second:

My bad experience so far in no way reflects the list member who I
bought these from.

I found out the hard way that my '85 has a clearance problem on the
control arms with the rims + LTX M/S tires. I tried 8mm spacers, but
will need at least another 10mm to clear the control arms. The tire
guru who helped me research Load Range "C" compatibility, says that LTX
is about the only tire that meets the sidewall integrity requirement.
He was unaware of another one that would unless it is a commercial tire.

Also, I found out that even without spacers, I need longer lug bolts in
the back. There are also "positioning" bolts in the drums that prevent
the wheels from mounting flat. Again, if you have a Syncro you should
be OK.

I'm going back tomorrow to the tire dealer to eat crow and hopefully be
able to return them + 15% restocking fee. And then order the 14" LTX
M/S tires that I should have ordered in the first place. THEN I have to
buy my wife something nice because she is thoroughly PO'd at me for
wasting time and money trying to go this route (which made no sense to
her in the first place). THEN I have to go camping in my Subaru this
weekend, instead of the Vanagon, because I have to wait for new tires
to come in... A bummer all the way around.

Why most of my lessons are learned this way I will never know. I must
have been a complete jerk in my previous life.

Please mail me off list if you are interested in the wheels.

Conrad