Learn from my mistake, because I am a dumbass. I decided to purchase a set of 275/65 R18 tires for my LR3, i had heard that there would be some rubbing and some trimming might be needed so I wasn't really worried. I had them installed and did notice a bit of rubbing on really hard turns and thought it was no big deal....nothing a little trim couldn't take care of.
Here's the problem......
If you notice on the rear wheel wheel, on the side of the tire closest to the front of the vehicle, there is part of the black plastic inner wheel well which sticks out towards the tire. Doesn't seem like a big deal at first....but directly behind that plastic which is where the larger tires rub is a welded body seam. And to make matters worse....there are A/C lines running right next to the seam on one side of the vehicle (if you have a 7seater). So there is no way to trim this away, actually the plastic rubbing against the tire is helping slightly because it is better than the tire rubbing directly against the body seam and a/c lines!!!
Learn from my mistake and don't get tires as big as 275/65R18s
Now i have to go back to the tire place with my tail in between my legs and try and talk them into an exchange of some sort.
20th Feb 2007 10:06 pm
JamesWyatt
Member Since: 18 Feb 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 92
I saw a D3 today with 285/60/18 Terra Grapplers. It looked pretty sweet. Are yours hitting because they're too tall or too wide?
Hope you bought from Discount Tire. They're the most flexible tire company I've ever used (no pun intended).
Actually I did use Discount tire up here in Colorado, just got back from talking to them. Although they can't give me a refund on the tires or a direct exchange, they are being helpful (seeing as i had the tires put on one week and 250 miles ago). Here is what they are doing....
I asked about installing the bfg all-terrains which are 265/65R18, about a half an inch shorter, and .4 inches narrower than the current 275/65R cooper STT's which are rubbing too much. BUT....in the computer that they use, the BFG's aren't recommended as an alternative size for the LR. And I wasn't sure if that was a risk I was willing to take after all this mess (although i know BFG's are great tires and i heard they don't rub, i just didn't want to risk it).
So it turns out that the 285/60R18 Nitto Terra graplers ARE on LR's recommended list of optional tire sizes without modification. I saw the list on the computer and it turns out that 60series is the max that LR recommends. So this isn't so bad, as i have heard good things about these tires, and if THEY recommend it, then that makes me feel better.
Discount tire is going to mount and balance all 4 for $500. Which isn't that bad considering Discount tire can't return them to their wholesalers because they are considered "used" so they are giving me a good deal considering it is all my mistake.
So the total now is $1700 in new tires people!!! Do NOT put 275/65's on your ride...it could be dangerous, could leave you stranded, or could just really mess up your LR if the tire rubs through the plastic and into the body seam and A/C lines.
This is the tyre upgrade I was planning............ sure, they're road biased but I don't go off road enough to justify much else........... (read: whipped by the better half) "Off-road tyres are too noisy!" apparently.Dave
Do you have a 7seater, because maybe the plastic wheel well is different if you have a 5seater (no rear A/C lines running through wheel well). And do you have them mounted on the 18 inch wheels. And if your car is the same as mine and this is the case....then i guess you are lucky and I am unlucky/don't want to risk rubbing into the bodyseam and a/c lines.
I am just warning people that this COULD be the case, doesn't mean that it WILL be. And if I previously stated otherwise in the post I am changing it now.
Its too bad because they really are nice tires in crappy conditions.
21st Feb 2007 6:06 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Hi guys
I posted a lot of info about the Cooper STT 275/65 quite some time ago, and also experienced the grinding away of the plastic bits, but my experience was exactly the same as Chris says, it stops once about 2mm has been cut out, and goes no further. We did 7000km on these tyres with full (probably over-) load, and there was no further issue. I plan to use them again for another trip in June, cos they are the best off-road.
Luckily there are other alternatives today, like the Grabber, and the BFG coming soon, but last year it was the 275/65 or 17" wheels
And I have the 7 seater
21st Feb 2007 6:36 am
Chris200100
Member Since: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Nr Cardiff
Posts: 532
They were on a 7 seater, I had no problems with them after the plastic was worn.
What tyres are you running?????Focus ST500
Range Rover Classic
other modes of transport:- Volvo FM13 Globetrotter (13L 440bhp, 2200nm) nice new one
It might be a bit wider but the diameter of a 295/40 R20 is 2.8 inches smaller than a 275/65 R18 and 0.7 inches smaller than the stock 255/60 R18 tyre so I'm not surprised there's no rubbing Ron!The End
I have the 275/65R18 Cooper STT's. And even if you don't have the rear A/C, that body seam should most definetly still be there, and if you are running the same size as this then they have to be rubbing on full stuff at least....try driving at access height and take a sharp turn or go over a little bump.
If they don't rub for you then, then I guess the tires and plastic have worn down just enough to have it not be a problem anymore, but I still think they will rub at full flex no matter what. I dunno, give it a try.
Do you have a 7seater, because maybe the plastic wheel well is different if you have a 5seater (no rear A/C lines running through wheel well).
I've had a seven seater with and without Rear A/C. The plastic wheel arch liners have been identical.Dave
Disco Dreaming
22nd Feb 2007 4:45 am
Chris200100
Member Since: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Nr Cardiff
Posts: 532
I found when I was cornering to fast I had rubbing (you could hear it) I went offrding with them and at one point had to lower the car to access hight to get under a tree no problem what so ever no sound of rubbing at all.
Yes the body seam is on all D3 but it at least another 10mm from the plastic to the seam and the tyres only seem to rub in one spot about 2 inches in size.
I've change my D3 since then so I can't take any pics of the rubbingFocus ST500
Range Rover Classic
other modes of transport:- Volvo FM13 Globetrotter (13L 440bhp, 2200nm) nice new one
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
