yes.. I already posted this in the wheels forum.. but I think i can get a quicker answer here. .. ... ..


I bought a set of AXIS 18x7.5 Rims for my 05 STI.
The wheels are incredibly nice. However, i have had nothing but problems with the fitment of these wheels.

I started out with a set of michelin pilot ps2 (235). All 4 wheels ground on the sideskirt and on the driver side rear wheel, the skirt actually will cut 3-5 mm into the sidewall of the tire.

I switched down to 225's.. apparently the smallest 18" size for hte pilot ps2's.
I am still having the same problem..

so the question is, what rims can i put on this car and drive the car in a manner in which it is designed to be driven.

By the way.. if you have a similar car, avoid the axis wheels even though they are listed in the fitment guide for the vehicle.

I am looking for black or gunmetal wheels with a silver/polished lip. preferably 5 larger spokes, but i am willing to look at anything that will fit on the car.
I appreciate all the feedback i get and need to find a solution as soon as possible for safety reason and because the shop that sold me the wheel may be willing to credit me and replace the wheels.

Thanks,
t

 

fender rolling time

 

you don't say what sidewall profile or aspect number you used, 235 or 225 only refers to the width, what matters more is the other number, probably should be like 30 or 35 profile?

That, or what max suggested- fender rolling time...

 

225/40

the rear fenders can be rolled.. and im already considering doing that anyway.. but it wont solve the problem. the tires rub on the top of the fender and n the front.. the top outside edges of the front tires rub against the inner side wall and there is nothing to roll there.

so there is a problem with all 4 wheels but the worst is the left rear which has large scars and cuts in the sidewall.

 

no 35 profile tires?

 

What is the offset of the wheels???

Sounds like they are around +35 or so, which is too little for a Subaru. On an 8" wide wheel, you want something closer to +45 to +55.

 

Yeah I'd say for sure that would be too tall, I've run 225/40-17s and thats' a tight fit, upping to 18's probably isn't gonna fly without some body work.

 

+35 or so is right.
the wheels are 7.5"

this is the proper size from the subaru fitment guide and reaffirmed by axis.

the shop i bought fronm has already replaced the tires once for me from the 235s to the 225s.. i dont think ill be able to get them to do that again and eat the cost of the damaged tires without replacing the wheels
but they will do a wheel swap apparently...
but i need to find something ASAP that is going to work.

any help is appreciated..

 

psoper.. the 17" axis wont fit onthe sti because of the brembo caliper on the front.
we already checked this out with axis.. If they had i would have gone with that initially and saved myself probably $200 in total cost of tires and wheels.

 

axis has their info wrong if they are claiming +35 is the offset you need on a Subaru . It is however the offset common on some other 5x100/5x114 applications (i.e. Toyota for example, or even a Ford Mustang for the 5x114 case!)

No tire swap is gonna fix this, and neither is a fender rolling. Axis needs to figure out their wheel offset info and send you the RIGHT wheels (i.e. not the ones you have now ).

 

Impala:
can you recommend another good set of wheels.. hopefully light..
Im stuck in somewhat of a situation where i the shop i bought the wheels from is going to replace them at thier cost, but if i insist on staying with the axis wheels, im probably going to pay for replacement of tires.

thanks for the help.. There have abeen a few people who have pointed out that the wheels are wrong and wont work, but nobody has suggested an alternative.. what i really need right now is a list of alternatives...

 

If you just need something to get you back rolling, Subydude can hook you up with some Rotas that'll fit AND work.

Beyond that, start looking for rims that have the right offset...

 

Thats crazy. +35 is more evo offset than anything (+35 and lower)

You need +45 or higher for suby fitment. I fit 18x8s lowered with 0 rolling with 235/40-18s. However the wheels were +48

I suggest the rota P45Fs in Royal Gunmetal. I had a set on order but they were delayed and I sold my suby, so they may have a set in stock, call subydude

Also, running the wrong offset will not only kill your tires, but it fouls handling and your wheel bearings as well.

 

Thank you.. this is exactly what i was looking for!!
I like the wheels as well.

 

How low is your car, and on what suspension? I agree that you need new wheels, but even a +35 on a 7.5" rim shouldn't rub with something like a 225/40. If you're slammed intot he wheelwells, you're going to have problems no matter how wide your wheels and tires are, or what offset they are.

There are guys running 255's and 265's on stock fenders with higher offsets, and a 255 on an 18x8 wheel is going to stick out farther even with an ET48 than your setup on an ET35.