Outback wheels

[tidd1340]

Is it nec. to change the struts and springs to put 15" outback wheels on a 95 legacy with stock 14" oem wheels?

[ocei77]

probably.

If the tires are the 205/70/15, the aspect ratio is too wide and the tire wall will hit the lower legacy strut.

There was a poster with this same issue a few weeks back.

 

O.

[pamike]

if it's just the wheels then yes they fit right on. you can not run the outback size tire. you would need to use a 195/60-15

[tidd1340]

probably.

If the tires are the 205/70/15, the aspect ratio is too wide and the tire wall will hit the lower legacy strut.

There was a poster with this same issue a few weeks back.

 

O.

 

thanks. Thats whats happening.

[tidd1340]

if it's just the wheels then yes they fit right on. you can not run the outback size tire. you would need to use a 195/60-15

Thanks for the info.The 205's on there now are hitting the strut.

[Red92]

This question comes up fairly often, and the answer isn't quite as cut-and-dried as many make it seem.

 

Tire size measurements always have a bit of variability, due to the different tire and tread designs. Even with the exact same size markings, some tires may fit while others do not. For example, a tire with a rounded shoulder on the tread may clear spring perches which a tire with a more square shoulder would not. You also have to remember that the section width (205) is based on an assumed rim size - so if your wheel is a different width, the tire section width will change as well.

 

Here's a few quick examples from TireRack to illustrate the point. Below are the tire names and their measured section width on a 6" wide wheel. All of these tires are the "same size" - 205/70/15.

Pirelli P4 Four Seasons: 8.0 inches

Sumitomo HTR T4: 8.1 inches

Firestone FR710: 8.2 inches

BFGoodrich Premier Touring: 8.3 inches

Michelin HydroEdge with Green X: 8.4 inches

 

So as you can see, there is a fair amount of variance among tire brands and models.

 

 

 

I'm not just speaking theoretically either... My '94 GT is currently sporting 15" Outback wheels with tires in the "they won't fit, it's impossible!" 205/70/15 size... without any rubbing.