17X7 ET38 with 225/45/17's rubbing or not?

[GreenLeggy]

Hi all,

I read over the ultimate guide carefully and if I'm reading it correctly, I will NOT need to roll my fenders if I put a set of 17X7 wheels with 38mm offset coupled with 225/45/17 tires on my car.

Is this correct or am I pushing the limit and will experience some rubbing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

BTW, 2000 Legacy Wagon...oem suspension and alignment settings

[Huffer]

I'm just thinking here, but wouldn't 225/40/17 be more appropriate for your speedo?

You may not rub, but you will experience accelerated wheel bearing wear. Fairly aggressive offset.

[rougeben83]

I'm just thinking here, but wouldn't 225/40/17 be more appropriate for your speedo?

You may not rub, but you will experience accelerated wheel bearing wear. Fairly aggressive offset.

225/45/17 is fine. Actually its the preferred aftermarket size for a majority of subarus. But a 215/45/17 would probably be a better fit on a 7" rim as you're not going to get the optimal response out of a 225/45 with that width rim (7.5 is considered optimal). You'll be spending more money on the tire than you'd have to, basically.

You may need to dail in some negative camber in the front, though that may be unlikely as my 17" front wheels are pushed out around that much as well and I did not experienced any fender rubbing when static camber was at 0. The rear's camber curve actually goes in the negative range on compression so it may be ok there as well. What you're looking for because youre pushing the tires out towards the side is any fender rub.

Look up DOOK's BH, he had some pretty aggressive wheel fitment on his car and it was lowered on coilovers as well. I think he only rubbed when turning up a slope or some other particular situation.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

I'm just thinking here, but wouldn't 225/40/17 be more appropriate for your speedo?

You may not rub, but you will experience accelerated wheel bearing wear. Fairly aggressive offset.

Yeah I was also looking to run 225/45/17 on a 17/? rim. I'm thinking 7.5" or 8" for the rim width. umm any rubbing?
but what would be the best/safest rim width/offset because "accelerated wheel bearing wear" does not sound good

also would STi 18/8" BBS rims work at all with 225/40/18 or no? any rubbing?

98 BD GT
also I'm not planning on lowering it much if at all. I'm looking into stiffer stock highth springs

[Airgne]

i have RPF1's 17x7.5 +45et with 235/45/17 on H&R springs. the only thing i rub in the inner fender plastic when i going at it hard in corners. you will be fine, but as huffer said you bearings will hate you. if you stick in the 40's et area you shouldnt have to much trouble. i dont think i have any pics of my car lowerd on those wheels. i have pics of them stock height. when it was stock i didnt rub on anything.

[Okin DaVanh]

also would STi 18/8" BBS rims work at all with 225/40/18 or no? any rubbing?

No. Aren't they a different bolt pattern? Like 5x112/114?

[KAG]

Yeah I was also looking to run 225/45/17 on a 17/? rim. I'm thinking 7.5" or 8" for the rim width. umm any rubbing?
but what would be the best/safest rim width/offset because "accelerated wheel bearing wear" does not sound good

also would STi 18/8" BBS rims work at all with 225/40/18 or no? any rubbing?
I have no idea where you got this "18/8 STi BBS". The 04 STi BBS are the only OEM STi wheels that will fit your car and they are 17x7.5. 05+ STi BBS are 17x8 but will not fit your car because of the 5x114 bolt pattern.

When looking at offset and rim width, these are the 'ideal' specs for Subaru's to prevent accelerated wheel bearing wear:


Width .... Offset

6.5" ....... +53 to +55
7.0" ....... +50 to +53
7.5" ....... +47 to +50
8.0" ....... +43 to +47
You may also want to browse around the Member's Rides and see how many BD's have been able to fit 225's without having to roll the fenders. I remember hearing about people rubbing on width's as low as 205, so you may want to check before you dive into anything.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

I have no idea where you got this "18/8 STi BBS". The 04 STi BBS are the only OEM STi wheels that will fit your car and they are 17x7.5. 05+ STi BBS are 17x8 but will not fit your car because of the 5x114 bolt pattern.

sry i was getting it confused with the 08 09 STi i ment 17/8 STi

but i would have to use the 17/7.5 STi wheels because of the bolt patters so I get it now but do they have a desent offset? Just wondering because I like the look of them and I know there pretty light weight

[Airgne]

the bolt pattern is 5x114.3 cant forget the .3 it makes a big diff.