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Date:         Fri, 5 Feb 2010 00:23:56 -0800
Reply-To:     levi hawkins <b1levi@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         levi hawkins <b1levi@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Converting Vanagon to Audi 15" Rims
In-Reply-To:  <ccafde091002041751k4ffc23bbt4871e433cb8586c1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

You should probably check the inside of the tire and make sure it's not rubbing against the upper control arm. With the clk rims and no spacer you can run 205 or *maybe* 215 section width at the most, more than that and you'll cut a groove into the inside of the tire. One other item to check is that you are not using vanagon lug nuts on those. The vanagon lug nuts will ride to high, and not seat properly. As BenT says the et is 37 on the clk, and ideal is et 30. If you ever want to put a cap on those wheels, or use chains, or run 225 section width, you'll need to add a spacer.

--- On Thu, 2/4/10, BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM> Subject: Re: Converting Vanagon to Audi 15" Rims To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010, 6:51 PM

On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 2:34 PM, Matthew Thyer <matt_thyer@hotmail.com>wrote:

> When I was getting Zeno up on the tow truck bed this morning I noticed that > there's not much space between the front wheel armiture and the tires.  I > know I've got non-factory rims, wondering now if the PO didn't address this > issue and I might need to invest in some spacers or new rims.  Wondering if > I'd be happier with stamped 15" steel wheels than what's on there now? > > http://tinyurl.com/y96ebxx <-- What I've got today, new tires > > http://tinyurl.com/y8l4ne2 <-- What I'm considering > > > -- > Matt Thyer >

Matt,

Those wheels are just fine. They are forged aluminum alloys which original cost thousands on Mercedes cars. They originally came with lugholes for 12mm bolts and had to have been drilled for 14mm studs and bolts. They are perfectly delighted to be on a Syncro and quite tolerable on a 2wd. Even with tires, they weigh less than the bare 14" steel rims. Even worse for the larger wheels. GoWesty looks to me selling South African steel wheels. I did not look but they also used to sell 14" steel wheel centers welded onto 15" rims. The latter will not fit big brake kits.

If I had to choose between steel or alloys, I would pick the CLK alloys you have on there now. IIRC, the offset is arond ET37. You can always add spacers up front if you want to correct the offset. It's very easy to just get longer bolts. You shouldn't need longer studs in the rears. If you use spacers up front, I have access to Wolfsburg billet caps for those wheels. Pmail me.

Cheers,

-- BenT


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