Gary's right: Rubbing with 245/40/17 Conti's up front, but also from 225's

[rumratt]

I was about to leave for work this morning and I though, "Hmm, why don't I see if my rear 245 tires will fit up front." :dunno: (happens to everyone, right? :D) I know Gary has said they won't fit, but if Andy can fit 255's up front :eek: it's worth a shot.

Step 1: Remove front 225/45/17, and discover the following (see next 2 pics). This is rubbing, right? WTF? How can my stock 225 tire be rubbing? :confused:

http://bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37141&stc=1
http://bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37142&stc=1


The pictures aren't great, but it clearly looked like very minor rubbing to me. Should I be concerned if the stock 225's are rubbing like that?

But I went ahead an put the rear's up there just for the hell of it, and drove up and down the driveway. I couldn't hear any noises, but afterward I found the following:

http://bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37143&stc=1

That's obviously rubbing, so this confirms what Gary has said all along.

But frankly, I'm not sure what to conclude. If the 225's are rubbing, can I really try 235's? :dunno: Maybe spacers would allow the 245's to fit? :confused: I'm lost.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Thats odd to see those marks from a 225/45R17... I know of a handfull of guys who run 'borderline' fitments wider than we commonly recommend, but Andy is the only one I've seen who has been able to fit massive sizes up front.

[rumratt]

Thats odd to see those marks from a 225/45R17...

Could it be something simple, like from autocrossing in a beat up parking lot?

My concern is if there is something wrong with the car.. alignment, suspension, etc.

[rumratt]

I'm realizing that those marks from the 225's may have been from me bumping it up against the strut during mounting/dismounting. :rolleyes: I'm going to do some more experiments and report back.

[Gary@Tirerack]

I'm realizing that those marks from the 225's may have been from me bumping it up against the strut during mounting/dismounting. :rolleyes:

That would make much more sense to me.

[The Roadstergal]

Mount it, then smear some finger paint on the back side of the tire once it's on the ground, and take a ride.

[Jspeed]

I'm running 245/40-17 up front and I checked for clearance by hand. I could stick my finger between the tire and the strut. It does rub, however, when the steering is at full lock.