Rims and Drums...

[DaRockwilder]

Hi!

I'd like to get new wheels and tires for my car, but with drum brakes and the stock 15" wheels, I've only got about half and inch of clearance between the tire and the strut.

Is there any difference in where the tire sits, with the stock wheels, between discs and drums? I'm sure I can get a different offset to fit a wider wheel, but I don't want the wheels to stick out too much further.

Thanks for anything!

[Redog]

+ 38 mm to + 42 mm and you'll be fine

[Ghadsphi]

I got 18's on mine w/ rear drums and I have no problems. I don't know the specs on them though... But semi off topic, is any real work required to take off that outter housing on drum brakes to clean and paint them? Or will it be more complicated than popping them off and dealing with them then? I probably should read my hayes manual if I can find it.

[DaRockwilder]

What size of 18 are you running? I was thinking about running a 235 wide tire, which will hopefully clear up front as well.

And yes, the drum should just pull off once you've got the wheel off. If it doesn't, its probably because a ridge has worn on the inside of the drum, so you'll have to back the brake off manually through a small hole in the back. Your haynes manual will show you how.

[Ghadsphi]

I know I have 235's on there Think they're 235/40's. Only problems with going 18's is you really need to lower the car despite my desire to do so... and new tires cost a pretty penny lol.

[DaRockwilder]

I can't do 18s. The roads I travel daily are a little too rough. I don't wanna bend one. I'm gonna get like, a 235/40R17. Pretty much the same diameter as stock.

And low is a must. I'll probably do that first.

[DaRockwilder]

also, can I run a 7.5" wide rim, or is 7" the most I can go?

[ptrudel]

you can run a 7.5" no prob...if i remember right, my 18's were 7.5" wide

[DaRockwilder]

cool. Thanks!

[Cliff8928]

My wheels are 7.5" wide with a 235/45R17.