Hey GrocGrabber1218,

The stock offset is 53mm
Most people fit a range of wheels from stock offset to 45mm. Some sedans manage to fit 42mm offset wheels with fender rolling.

Also, the 225/45/17 tires on a wagon are a tight fit with that offset. Many wagon owners opt for 215's. When I had a wagon, I tucked 225's on 52 offset 17x7.5 wheels with my wagon slammed hard. I had to pull out the rubber strip in the fender and never had rubbing issues.

All of these are also affected by ride height ( how much your car is lowerd by suspension or load of people/cargo in the car)

Hope this helps,
Kevin

 

I know its different and probably irrelevent to you but I have a 99 OBS with 17x7 +48 and 224/45 17s and no rubbing. Also for me, the load doesn't effect it since its got plenty of clearance to everything but the bottom of the strut where the spring ends (bottom hat??)

As far as offset, I think you might also be stressing your bearings with a 42 offset. And if you increase the offset, your problems would probably decrease since I believe lots of people are running 225s on wagons without problems. Also getting different tires could help, though I don't know which would be best. Anyway, GL

 

Hey Gene,

I would get wheels with 48mm offset or higher before you lower the car. As mentioned, you are increasing the wear on your wheel bearings as well as making tire choices and clearance difficult.

Just my $.02 and what most suby owners will agree on.

-Kevin

 

Im having rub issues right now as well, on 48 offset 225/40/18.. my 02 wagon is lowered on flexs maybe 1.5" in the rear .. the rubbing is only on the back left .... if i take that strip off will i expose my feder to the elements? will rust and paint chiping become more possibe?

 

Anything is possible. With the rubber strip removed, that lip will be exposed. Yes, it is possible that something will happen to the paint. I had my fenders rolled professionally using a heat gun and the fender rolling tool. A small amount of clear coat was applied, but the paint cracked the next day. A little more patience with a heat gun, and a little more paint solved the paint problem. That lip is not seen very easily, so any mods you make to it are soley your decision. I would pull the rubber strip, and do touch-ups as necessary to any chips that concern you.


-Kevin

 

Thanks for your input.. i actualy took of the sprip for now but want t o get my suspension dialed in so i can put em back on...... but on to a new question. i am in need of some new tire and after doing some reading it looks like alot of people have rubbn issues with 225/40/18 +51.. would running 215's solve some of my rubbing..would running 215's be detrimental in any way to handleing or ride quality??? should i look into bringing up the car some.. what about a different camber setting.. who would be a good person to talk with about suspension tuning?? shops in the bay area.. or iclub members.. a shop preferably , as i would like to see someone in person..
thanks

 

Hey Nathan,

Running 215's would slove the rubbing issue, and you would just sacrifice a little footprint. Don't know what tires you are running, but one manufacturer to another can have drastically different widths. Some companies 225's are like other companies 235's, ya know. When I had my wagon, I ran 225 Michelin Pilots on 53 offset wheels no problem. When I got some Kumho Ecsta MX's in 225's, I pulled the rubber strip and raised my suspension slightly to accomodate them. (Note: a subaru that is too low, can ride poorly, and will perform better raised higher in some cases) The offset of the wheel has a huge impact on tire clearance. Suspension drop and camber plays an important role as well for tucking big rubber.

So many options for making things work. It all really depends what you want out of your car and what you plan to do with it.

-Kevin

P.S. sending you a PM with some contact info.

 

thanks for the feedback wrexr.. i took off the strip and it seemed to stop the rubbing.. although i have not been ablle to push the car to hard yet.. as for 215's it really limits my choices for tires.. i looked i up on tire rack, and 215 40 18 only shows parada2's,pzero nero & m+s... i think it may be in my interest to raise the rear some.. on another note i have been thinking of changing over to a 17" rim.. possibly the sti bbs' would there be any downfall in running those, rather then my 18"oz sprlgra? the kind of driving im interested in is some track events in sept/oct, backroads everyweekend.. but want something that will get me up to the snow as well.. and when i mean up to the snow.. i dont mean going out in it really.. just literaly up to it.. so the tire must have some wet traction.. altough i have thought of having either a track/summer rim tire setup and then a daily driver/winter set up..
any suggestions?