Focus 17" Alloys Scraping

[MGP]

Hi all,

I've got a 99 (V) Ford Focus 5 door. Popped some 17" TSW alloys on there.

Presumed they'd fit the car being that when you put my reg into all the tyre / wheel websites, 17" seems to be a normal thing.

They fit the car, but then they scrape sometimes....presumebly on the edge of the back arches. It's not when I go over speed bumps (unless I hit them quite hard) but more if I turn sharply.

What can I do and why don't they fit? I don't really want to get rid of them because 1) I won't get my money back and 2) they look great!!

Thanks.

[johnH]

its probably not a size issue, but rather a width issue. no way to sort that from what i know...but i stand to be corrected.

if you look at your old tires you should have a number like 205/55/R16. the first number "205" is the width side wall to side wall...if the new ones are bigger it wont have the capabilities.

also if you have a different size wheel in total (tire diameter) your speed will not be accurate...you have to get the ECU programmed by dealer to tell it is has the different sized wheel. this is not definate but its something to look into.

[artscot79]

its probably not a size issue, but rather a width issue. no way to sort that from what i know...but i stand to be corrected.

if you look at your old tires you should have a number like 205/55/R16. the first number "205" is the width side wall to side wall...if the new ones are bigger it wont have the capabilities.

also if you have a different size wheel in total (tire diameter) your speed will not be accurate...you have to get the ECU programmed by dealer to tell it is has the different sized wheel. this is not definate but its something to look into.

if the tyre width is the same remember the focus rear kind of turns as the front does diff size wheels means the whole suspension geometry is out it could need a 4 wheel alignment or youre rear suspension arms could be worn from what i remember the focus came with either 15 or 16 inch as standard so it wouldnt need changed from those sizes 17 will looks like the best way is to have it checked out if it slowered which it must be to be scraping then it could be a combination of alignment and worn bushes