Widest possible tires on a TYP89 sedan?

[Paul Smith]

Todd Phenneger wrote:

> It has to be ET-35???   Wow, then the 90q has much more room in
> back than the 4kq.  Whats the problem with an ET-40 or 45.  Is
> it Tie Rod clearence or frame rail clearence when turning?  Do
> you know?
> l8r
>   TOdd
>
> --- Alexander van Gerbig <Audi_80 at email.msn.com> wrote:
> >     Much wider is possible on a CQ because it has rather
> > flared fenders
> > which none of the sedans have.  The suspension is exactly same
> > almost, that
> > isn't a big factor, the wheel arches are.  215's should easily
> > fit and it
> > seems that 225/40's will go on too.  I believe 225 is the max
> > limit and has
> > to be on ET35 rims.
> >
> > Alexander van Gerbig -- '88 80
> >
>

ET45 will work fine on the rear. I have 17 inch with 40 series tires on
my 1991 80 sport. The problem clearance at the rear is where the arch
meets the rear bumper. Anything bigger than a 215 tire will rub on that
lip unless you replace the panhard rod bushes with something much
stiffer than the standard Audi bits of rubber (on a FWD) - or your rear
end is all nice and tight (on a Quattro). I run an adjustable T45 steel
panhard with spherical rod end bearings on the back of my 80, so I can
sit the axle dead central depending upon the ride height I'm running.
On the front, ET35 (standard Ford fitting) works fine, and the ROC Audi
Sport touring cars of 1989/1991 ran with this mismatch of offset. That's
what I have on my 80. 7x17 ET45 rear 7x17 ET35 front with 205/40/17 Avon
ZZ1 tires. You could run ET35 rear, but you'd have to get that rear
lower arch lip rolled out to clear the tire at full bump. 7x17 ET45 do
fit fine on the front though.
7.5 inch wheel with 225 tires will hit the steering arm on the front
strut, unless the steering arm has been hammered flat for removal of the
track rod end (usually by a gorilla mechanic with a big hammer). This
weakens the steering arm along the seam though, so I wouldn't advise
hammering it flat to clear or grinding/cutting material away (this ties
the steering wheel to the road wheel so should be treated with a lot of
respect!).
For the record though: the ROC/Audi sport 80 quattro touring cars of
1989/1991 ran with 8x18 ET45 rims rear. 8x18 ET35 front with heavily
modified (custom made) steering arms on the front struts.

There's my two penneth worth

Cheers all

Paul Smith
Reviews Editor/Consultant Chassis Dynamicist
Mountain Biking UK
www.mbuk.com