Aston Wheels - Problem: Touching Bodywork & Guards

[dr jock]

I have just had my Aston Martin V8 (OI - 1981) returned to me from a major rebuild. I took the advice of the mechanics doing the work and fitted 18" wheels with Pirelli 255x50. The problem is on the front these touch the guards under heavy braking and at hard lock. The dangers are obvious and I am looking for a solution quick so I can get the car back on the road.

Be grateful if anyone can help.

Jock

[jhoneyball]

18" wheel with 255/50 gives too big a rolling length on the tyre

the X pack had 16" wheel with 255/50 tyres.

which wheel have you fitted?

[dr jock]

I fitted a custom 18" at the suggestion of the good folks at Puddleducks Aston - perhaps they got it wrong. I would rather not replace the wheels as they look great and I heard that the 16" Ronals that you mentioned are no longer available.

[desmo]

The bigger rolling radius will also affect performance and speedo accuracy (reading slow)etc. Need to fit lower profile tyres, which will upset the ride quality, or get a 17 or 16 inch rim. Try to maintain the original circumference.

[Andrew Noakes]

dr jock said:

I heard that the 16" Ronals that you mentioned are no longer available.

A year or two back Aston Martin Works Service were talking about getting wheels from that era remanufactured because they were not available. No doubt pricey, though.

[dr jock]

Good call. I spoke with the wheel manufacturer and they concluded that the correct rolling radius meant I had to switch to a 40 profile tyre. I ordered these but being Pirelli assymetricos they are pricey. Thankfully Puddleducks Aston Martin agreed to pay as a sign of goodwill.

[jhoneyball]

couple of points:

a) the ronal replacements are avaialble ex-stock from Aston Martin Heritage and have been for several years (I had the first 5 of the first batch, then the first 5 of the second)

b) check carefully who made the wheels that puddleduck are selling. They are a component wheel, I think? I have recently been talking to Compomotive about 18" wheels for my Xpack vantage. Compomotive state that their modular wheel (which looks very similar to the puddleduck rim) is not suitable -- it is much too flimsy for the weight and performance of the car. The only rim they recommend and will guarantee as being appropriate in their expert opinion is a one-piece wheel in their racing series (the MO wheel, from memory)

I would be *very* careful about using a 3rd party rim which is not TUV or factory tested and approved. Or which the original manufacturer cannot warrant *in writing to you* that it is suitable for the purpose. A V8 is a lot of weight and a lot of torque -- bear in mind that Compomotive supplied a split-rim 16" wheel to the Aston factory in 1986 for a short period, and those suffered from major failures and then a complete factory recall.

I would demand written guarantee from puddleduck and/or its supplier that their wheel is suitable. Otherwise your insurance company might have a hissy fit in the event of a claim, and walk away from you.

[jhoneyball]

there is an excellent tyre size calculator at

www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[dr jock]

I ahev used the miata rolling circ tool and agree this is very good. Thanks also for the advice on the statement of guarantee. I will contact them directly and request this. They seemed supremely confident in the quality of the wheel, so a guarantee should be a formality.

[jhoneyball]

what have they said?

[360boy]

desmo said:

The bigger rolling radius will also affect performance and speedo accuracy (reading slow)etc. Need to fit lower profile tyres, which will upset the ride quality, or get a 17 or 16 inch rim. Try to maintain the original circumference.

I discovered this to my detriment a couple of years ago.
I was running 19 inch wheels at the time.

Driving along a dual carriageway, I spotted a Police van speed camera ahead.

Slowed down and passed the van at 39 mph on my speedo.

You guessed it! I received a ticket for speeding at 49 mph in a 40 mph zone.

I tried to argue my case in court, but was on a loser from the start.

[dr jock]

Cheers.The new tyres were fitted yesterday and the clearances are perfect so far. Now I have some spare rears for elevenses.

[williamp]

Hi Jock,

great to meet you today. Lovely car, and thank you very much for the tool roll. As for yuor tyres; why not put some old racing slicks (ask on the AMOC forum, someone will have some spare) and use them for track days? I have done just that with my spare wheels with Hoosier semi-slicks tyres ready for Mallory.

[dr jock]

Cheers Will. Great to meet you too and the V8 will be great when Julian and Puddleducks have worked their magic. It was a good event. You can email me on [e-mail]

[jhoneyball]

and puddleduck have warrantied their splitrims for strength, and done so in writing?