Strange Tire Wear after adding 951 Fuchs
 

Hello and thanks for your help in identifying this strange wear pattern.

I just got a set of good condition 951 Fuchs for my 89 944 2.7L. I had the original 15x7 telephone dials all around. I never had any issues with wear on the telephone dials despite 10 year old tires. The tires on the fuchs are relatively new contis. The new wheels are staggered 16x7 front and 16x8 in the rear with a 225/50 tire on the rear. I've driven about 40 miles since adding the fuchs and the outer edge of the left rear tire is getting shredded. Pics Below:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...a8de92de58.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...b983d993d8.png
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...1ef63b58ac.png

No wear on the front tires or the right rear. I've actually never even seen wear on the side of a tire like this. Does anyone recognize this and have any ideas what could be causing this? My guesses are:

1. Issues with alignment due to the new staggered wheel setup.
2. A shot wheel bearing (I believe mine are due to be replaced)

Grateful for any opinions or ideas!

Thanks,

wear
 

Suspect your issue is that you've put an early offset wheel on a late offset car. All 951 fuchs were early offset, which will push the wheel further out. I've seen that exact wear on another late 944 with wrong offset, lowered rear, and weak torsion bar. Its from the outside of the tire hitting the inner edge of the fender when you go over bumps. Additionally, the drivers side tends to do this more that passenger for some reason.

Exactly...early offset wheels [et 23.3] mounted to a late offset wheel [et 55] chassis usually does not work out very well.

Solution [for the OP]...source a set of wheels with 25-30 mm more offset, or exchange your car for a <= MY86.

Thank you gents for the responses. I learned a ton about 944's, offsets and Fuchs the last days. I thought 1985 was the year all 944's were "updated" including the offset and wrongly assumed a 1986 944's wheels would be identical.

I also couldn't understand the wear only happening on the left rear. A wise mechanic told me "Duh, It's because your sitting in the drivers seat and your fat a#$ is weighing down that side of the car." lol

I have explored the forums and there are mixed opinions as to if there is a solution. Some say early offset wheels cannot fit on a late offset car while others say they have done it with the following modifications:

1. Roll the fenders to create as much clearance as possible.
2. -2 degrees camber to pull the inside of the tire in further from the fender.
3. Add Stiffer torsion bars to reduce wheel travel.
4. Change the 225 rear sections tires for 215/50R16 to pull the edge of the tire in further.

If none of the above works the 924 Carrera GT rear fender flares would seemingly solve the problem and then some.

Has anyone tried something like the above steps to solve this? The car looks SOOO COOL with the Fuchs on it. I am so in love and hate to give up without trying.

Answer is car specific. Some can get early offset to work with late car. Drivers side tends to have more space issue than passenger. Of your thoughts,

1. Roll the fenders to create as much clearance as possible.(could work, certainly won't hurt )
2. -2 degrees camber to pull the inside of the tire in further from the fender. (2 degrees is probably more than you want for street. try 1-1 1/2.)
3. Add Stiffer torsion bars to reduce wheel travel. (Ride height of the rear can help here. Make sure that your car has not been lowered in rear-
4. Change the 225 rear sections tires for 215/50R16 to pull the edge of the tire in further. (Wouldnt suggest this)

If none of the above works the 924 Carrera GT rear fender flares would seemingly solve the problem and then some. (personal preferance but don't like how they change look of car)

My bad. Can it be done? Sure...but not without some chassis/suspension modifications. You will undoubtedly have to effect both #1 and #2 on your car.

Another option...source a set of SC/Carrera 6"x16" et36 Fuchs for the front of your car, and move the 7s to the rear. The 6s extend from the hub mounting surface [toward the fender] ~1.0" less than the 7" et23 Fuchs do.

Thank you @mel_t_vin and @jem60 for the great advice and ideas. I had the fenders rolled professionally with a heat gun and the proper tool and drove the car about 100 miles in all ranges of driving from a little skidpad style action, to speed bumps, and train tracks as well as long spirited twisties. I have not managed to get the tires to rub in ANY of these circumstances. The car feels super planted, I don't have the sensitivity to not notice a wider track but the extra rubber and going from 10-year-old all seasons to 1-year-old Conti extreme contact tires has done wonders for the handling.

Its definitely too soon to celebrate but it seems the fender rolling was enough to solve my rubbing issues. Perhaps I will still add the recommended 1- 1.5 degrees of negative camber just to further decrease the likelihood. One small fender roll for man and one giant leap for all those late offset transaxle owners who really want to run Original Fuchs!:)

The car also definitely looks quite cool with the wheels.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...145118c31a.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...55eef1769d.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...294755d0db.jpg

Nice...now it looks like an '86 M637 Clubsport that was fitted with 8s and 9s. Happy motoring...

Thanks. I love how it looks. Never felt NA 944's really filled out those fender flares until now.