17 x 9.5" Wheels... On The Front?!

[motorhead]

This a kind of a dead horse thread... but, I had to ask.

Has anyone done this successfully using a 275/40/17 tire and the track widening 12" Brake swap?

'Cause I am thinking it may work with my GNX flares and 12" brakes. But, I am worried about scrubbing the inner fenders when the wheels are turned lock to lock.

I guess I could cut the inner fenders up.

Thanks,

 

[Gothmog]

I use 275/40/17 on 9.5" rims, the inner fender had to be removed, but I removed them for 255/60/15s first.

 

[rking]

Gothmog, Do you have any problems with rubbing on the control arms, or the fender lip. I am planning on running 17X9.5s and I was wondering what kind of problems I would run into if the car was lowered too. TIA

 

[Pat]

GNX flares don't give anymore clearance? So how would this not be a problem?

 

[motorhead]

Originally posted by Pat
GNX flares don't give anymore clearance? So how would this not be a problem?

Pat. Is your post supposed to be a statement and a question? Or just two questions?

1) The GNX flares do nothing interms of a lowered car's ability to run a wider tire/rim combo. Stock ride height (with a really stiff spring) allows you to run a wheels with a greater negative offset.

In my case I have cut the inner fender lips out, and therefore have gained ~1"... better utilizing the flares. I won't be lowering the rear until the new wheels are fitted and checked for clearances.

2) It is a problem. It is going to take careful planning, a hammer, and likely a welder and cutting wheel.

 

[grocerygetter]

I wanna bump this and put a different twist on it...what if I was wanting to run 17x9.5s all around...but run a 245/45 on the front...that would lay the tire in nicely. With my car lowered now, I've rubbed on a full lock turn just barely with my 17x8s with 245/45s...it looks like the 9.5s would work if either A the tire was narrower or B the tire was merely less than 26" (like a 25" 255/40) in height. Opinions? I'm looking at doing GNX flares...may even cut the fenders and do a small spacer on the back with a 295 or something once the fenderwell is trimmed.

 

[grocerygetter]

this post may need to be moved to wheel tire forums....

 

[scot w.]

Agreed, It should be in the wheels & tire thread as A LOT of these questions could be answered here in this link - http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/br...al-wheel-tire-picture-thread-show-em-off.html

For what it's worth i'm running 18x9.5 up front and 18x10 out back with NO issues at all and NO modifications what so ever on the wheel wells, inner fenders or lips with NO rub when at Lock to Lock!!

My combo can be seen in that link as well..

SW.