What is the maximum tire size that I can get for my 17" rims?
I currently have Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712 (275/40ZR-17 98W B) and they are now wore out. They were rubbing in the back with a full load. What tires do you guys suggest, the kuhmo's cost me about $121 a tire. Anything else in that price range any better?
Thanks

 

It all depends on how wide the wheels are not the diameter of them...so if you tell us the width we can tell you a max size....if it is a 9 inch rim, I wouldn't go much more than a 275...maybe a 285, but thats about it

 

All tires have a design rim size spec. Most 275/40-17 tires have a wheel design width of 9.5"-11" so you are in the low end of the design width. A 315/35-17 has a design wheel width of 11"-12". (my figures are for a Hoosier autocross tire but most tires have the same spec). People generally install a tire that's on the low end of the design wheel width to get the widest tire they can. I think some of the rubbing that people experience is due to the flex in the sidewall either because they aren't running enough pressure OR they've mounted a large tire on a small width wheel (relatively speaking) and it flexes on hard turns (along with your panhard rod!).

So you could still put those tires on anything from 9" to 11" rim. Just depends on what you want to do on those tires.

Yours shouldn't rub. What situation causes the rub, in other words, what are you doing to cause it?

 

Maybe he has the wrong offset on the wheels... I had a set of 275's all the way around with no rubbing, even when it was lowered. Now I've got 315's in the back, and after a little hammer work it doesn't rub. No reason 275's should rub in the back, unless:

-wrong offset on the wheel
-body not centered correctly over axle
-excessive body roll... e.g. no front sway bar
-worn bushings on the panhard rod.

What is the excat rim size, including offset or backspace?

 

It rubbed whenever I hit large bumps in the road, or dips I guess. It was when it had to go from high to low to high again real quickly with people in the back (so big bumps basically). I since put air shocks in the rear in order to get rid of the problem, I just run with hardly any air pressure in them. I guess it just stiffens it up enough that it doesn't rub anymore. The offset, is that something that can be changed? Can the tire place do that for me? As far as the rim size, I didn't purchase them so I just know they are TSW's that are 17" in diameter. I have no idea how wide they are though, does the tire have to be off in order to figure this out?

 

No the tire does not have to be off to figure out the rim width...there is a tool that can measure the rim with the tire on and off, so I would go to a shop and see if they can just measure your rim for you....

 

Should I ask the tire place to go ahead and change my offset then?

 

The only way you can do that is either with different rims or with spacers if appropriate

 

Is it rubbing on the inside or outside??

 

It is rubbing on the outside fender lip. This in turn is leaving some nice marks on the edge of my tire.

 

Your problem may be compounded if you lowered your car. You may want to get some LCA Relocation Brackets @ $100. They will make a big difference and stopped the rubbing on my car. I went with RK Sport that doesn't require welding.