Tire stores have been telling me that the 285/40R17s will not fit on the front tires. But I see people installing 315s!!! What needs to be done to fit 285s on all four wheels? Any modifications?

 

Most likely because your tire store doesn't know what they're talking about. Are the wheels on your car now, with different tires on them? If so, hop out to your car, swing the front wheels to lock on both directions, hop under there with your ruler, and see if you have clearance. Assuming the offset of the wheel is "normal" for your car, there should be plenty of space for a couple extra mm that those tires will take.

Dave

 

I have been curious about the same subject. I think if you put 9.5" wide rims all the way around, it would be fine. Thoughts anybody???

 

I bought the 10-Spoke SS rims from a guy and they do not have tires. I am looking for a set but for now they are just wheels / no tires so I can't check. I hope someone else has 285s up front before I order them...

 

You should have no problem, even with 9.5" wheels. I run 275's on 9.5" on the street and it's never been an issue. You're talking about .4" difference in width using the 285's. Like Dave said, as long as the offset is correct or least within a normal range, you should be fine. I was looking on Tirerack and noticed (first 285 I came to, your tire may vary...) required at least a 9.5" wheel. Once you go past at 275, it's almost time to consider something wider than a 9.5" wheel.

And yes, I run 315's on 17x11's all around when I autocross with minor rubbing on extremely hard cornering or bumps but it's very minor.

 

I added mine to the front on my clutch install which isnt finished yet so i dont know how they are gonna work. My car is lowered also. On a lift it is hitting the sway bar but only when its turned all the way to one side. Ill let ya kno in a couple of days.

 

Go to www.ground-control.com for wheel spacers... maybe 1/4 will help from hitting the sway bars.

 

Mine doesnt hit unless you have the wheel turned to the max. And majority of the time when you have the wheel like that your goin slow. Unless you wanna be on your lid i dont think your gonna turn your wheel like that at a fast speed.

 

Thanks!!! Are you using wheel spacers for the 285s up front? Or is there plenty of room on all 4 tires that doesn't require wheel spacers?... Sorry about the questions but I want to know before I spend $185 per tire...

 

Keep in mind that nominal tire sizes are just that. IOW, the actual section width and diameter will vary somewhat, and not everybody's 285 will be of the same measured width. I'd look up the actual dimensions of the tires that you intend to purchase and compare those measurements with the OE make/model 275 width tire. Don't forget to adjust the width(s) by 0.2" per half inch difference between the actual rim width and the rim that the tire size(s) was/were measured on. These dimensions can be found on the "specs" pages for many tires at www.tirerack.com .

Norm

 

Does anyone know the offset for his wheels?

 

The wheels are factory 10-Spoke SS Camaro wheels... 17 x 9.5

I believe the factory offset was around 50.

 

I just wouldn't think there would be any major problems with clearance then. A 285 is a little larger than I'D like to have on a 9" wheel though, it doesn't really stretch the sidewall out enough. 9.5" wheels are generally on the low end of a 275 tire. That would be my major concern.

 

I ran 285/40ZR17 Goodyear GSC's on the front of my ZR1 (17x9.5") rims for a while. I've since replaced them with 275/40ZR17 Goodyear F1 GS's.

I had no problems with clearance at all.

Coincidently, I also have 285/40ZR17 Goodyear GSC's on the rear ZR1 rims and find they are very solid and although they grip well, stretching out the tire that much does tend to "loosen" up the rear-end a fair bit (as does going from 315's to 285's since you have less rubber). Breaking the rear free is a bit easier, but lateral transistions do feel more "flat". Next set for the 17x11" rims will probably be 295's or 305's, I think those may give some good lateral support without giving up too much tire width.

 

Thanks for the input. The 285s on the rear are "stretching" out the tire causing it to be loose? I think that is where I made a left turn. You should have a larger tire patch with the 285s over the 275s which should hold better... right? I guess I'm fuzzy on the stretching concept. Please help.