Staggered Wheel Fitment

[nickk__is]

Hey guys,

So I am looking at most likely getting new wheels down the track for the new car, and was contemplating getting staggered wheel fitment
I tried searching for any other topics but it didn't come up with much so I am posting up now.

From what I've been told, apparently staggered wheel fitment can be bad for the awd, and can ruin the centre diff or other components due to having the different rolling diameter on the front/rear wheels.

is it possible that if the rear diameter is within say 3% of the fronts, that it will be okay to go with staggered wheels?

thanks in advance!

[bates91]

yeah pretty much unless you get them both pretty much exactly the same rolling diameter its not advisable
just trawled the net for the last few mins and found people saying if its within 5%, or 3%, or 1" then its fine etc etc but theres no definite answer

itd be a matter of working out sidewall height of different profile tyres....but even different manufacturers inevitably have marginally different heights
so dont do it. run spacers if you want hellaflush fitment
or speak to phat id trust him to have the last word on it

[Robbks]

Are we talking staggered as in different width rims front to rear?

[nickk__is]

the ONLY reason I would go for staggered fitment would purely to have a bit of deep dish in the rears. personally I love it I was looking at 7.5" for the front and maybe 9" or 9.5" width for the rears

However I am not willing to wreck my car for looks.

yeah pretty much unless you get them both pretty much exactly the same rolling diameter its not advisable
just trawled the net for the last few mins and found people saying if its within 5%, or 3%, or 1" then its fine etc etc but theres no definite answer

itd be a matter of working out sidewall height of different profile tyres....but even different manufacturers inevitably have marginally different heights
so dont do it. run spacers if you want hellaflush fitment
or speak to phat id trust him to have the last word on it

Yeah I did the same thing, just searched the net but couldnt find any definite answers.

Mind you, the only definite answer I found was that you may end up with a massive repair bill if your diff goes :S

[matt_3.0rb]

As far as im aware if the rolling diameter is still the same, then you will be fine.
Width shouldnt cause as issue as long as the actual rolling diameter of the wheel is the same front to rear. As long as its not 18x7.5 front and 19x9 rear.

But i'm not 100% on that, Just my understanding.

[nickk__is]

Are we talking staggered as in different width rims front to rear?

Yeah different rim width, sorry I should of probably made that clear. I dont meant staggered as in 18" rims fronts, 19" rims rear haha.

As far as im aware if the rolling diameter is still the same, then you will be fine.
Width shouldnt cause as issue as long as the actual rolling diameter of the wheel is the same front to rear. As long as its not 18x7.5 front and 19x9 rear.

But i'm not 100% on that, Just my understanding.

Yeah thats what i was thinking, however it would be damn near impossible to get it bang on equal.

mind you, I really feel if it is close enough it should be fine. I'm just hoping someone comes along and proves us right or wrong so i have a definite answer.

[matt_3.0rb]

Surely with the same profile tyre they will be the same diameter. Might make tyre choice a bit more difficult to get the same diameter for both, but would be better for the car.
Wheels and tyres are one thing ive never really had my head around, so i could be way off.

[Robbks]

Surely with the same profile tyre they will be the same diameter. Might make tyre choice a bit more difficult to get the same diameter for both, but would be better for the car.
Wheels and tyres are one thing ive never really had my head around, so i could be way off.

Matt,
"profile" is a function of WIdth

Profile is Percentage
so 225/55 is much lower sidewall than 325/55
123.75mm vs 178.75mm sidewall

Can be done, you just need to work a LOT of shit out to get it right.

your other option is to fit say 245's all round 245's are suited for an 8"
245 will be slightly too wide for a 7" rim, and slightly too narrow of a 9" rim

or pick the same width rim with a different offset for the rear so that teh wheel pokes out further to give you more dish

[matt_3.0rb]

Ah ok, thanks rob.

Fair to say then that ive reached the extent of my knowledge with answers to this question.

[champ]

Rob's answer is spot-on.

Different width won't be an issue, its the tyres on the wheels that's the issue, as the rolling diameter will not be the same or difficult to get the same.

Maybe if you can get a tyre shop to accommodate you, get some tyres lined up next to each other and pick the ones that are the same height (obviously different widths) to match your wheel choices...

[nickk__is]

That does sound like a good idea. I won't have the money for wheels for a few months so that atleast gives me time to shop around and work it all out. I'll be stoked if it all works out!

[BJ]

There must be some allowable difference, because if you had worn tires on the front and new ones on the back the diameters will be maybe 1% different. 225/40-18 and 235/40-18 in Bridgestones have about 8mm difference in the diameter which is about 1.2%, so if you had them new at the same time that might be okay. You just have to look for diameters as close as you can find and find out from someone who knows a lot about Subarus, like kiks, just what the allowable difference is.

[Robbks]

There must be some allowable difference, because if you had worn tires on the front and new ones on the back the diameters will be maybe 1% different

Which is why you always replace tyres all 4 at a time.
and do regular rotations (5,000km) to ensure they wear evenly

[blacktop™]

why dont you just get the same 9 or 9.5 inch wheels all round?

other guys on here are running wheels of those widths all round.

[d-chang]

Thank you Nick very much for starting this thread up! I was just about to do the same!!

I too have come across a deal I cannot refused so to speak... one of my friends is selling his car and has offered me his wheels! The only thing though is, it is 18x9 on the front and 18x9.5 on the rear. They are currently on a Toyota Soarer V8, so I don't even know if they will fit on the Liberty... but I am going to his place to check it out by fitting them on my car. I really hope they fit!

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