Turning Circle

[sparkythecat]

I understand that if you want to put 16inch wheels on the front of your car the rack stops have to be moved and the turning circle increases. ( It's hardly what you'd call small anyway.)

So if you go for 17inch wheels does it get even bigger?

What difference does this make to the cars 'driveability'? Is it easy to get used to or do you have to go on some sort of helmsmans course?

[Corin Denton]

I've had 17"s on both my Chimaeras with no problems whatsoever.

[JonRB]

The turning circle of the Chimaera can be vastly improved by selecting 1st gear, turning the wheel and then flooring the throttle.

[tvrbob]

JonRB said:

The turning circle of the Chimaera can be vastly improved by selecting 1st gear, turning the wheel and then flooring the throttle.

[sgrimshaw]

JonRB said:

The turning circle of the Chimaera can be vastly improved by selecting 1st gear, turning the wheel and then flooring the throttle.

This year I r been mostly replacing my tyres

[victormeldrew]

JonRB said:

The turning circle of the Chimaera can be vastly improved by selecting 1st gear, turning the wheel and then flooring the throttle.

Caution: if thats the 500 model try prodding it slightly instead. Same effect, less smoke!

[Richhy]

sparkythecat said:

What difference does this make to the cars 'driveability'? Is it easy to get used to or do you have to go on some sort of helmsmans course?

Had 17's on my chim for about a month now and it hasn't changed it much at all. i'd say it tramlines less than before and the ride isn't compromised. no noticable problems with the turning circle either.

[spend]

I upgraded to the factory spider wheels, and added the rack stops. These are like plastic washers which you add as shims under the steering gaiters BTW. I subsequently found that the n/s wheel was just catching the lower wishbone so added an additional set of stops, its only a 5 minute job - but they are damned expensive for plastic washers!. The turning circle is not great anyway, so the reduction is not a big problem.

The option is to continue grinding away the inner rim of your wheels (even though you try not to do it you will always swing full lock on I find) or fit the stops. Not all cars seem to have the problem - it is up to you to check whether the wheels foul on anything.

If you use larger tyres and they foul the wheelarches that is another subject.

Dave