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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: Torchd on April 26, 2011, 12:19:50 am

Title: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: Torchd on April 26, 2011, 12:19:50 am

Hey guys!

I have a mkIII AAZ and  I wanted to ask if I can run two different sized wheels on the front axle?

Is it safe to run it or will I be causing damage to the diff?

My spare is a space saver design so everytime I use it I *** my pants!

Please help.

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: maxfax on April 26, 2011, 02:57:05 am

It's not good for the diff at all..   Very short distances at low speeds is all that "donut" spare is really intended for..  IF you don;t mind giving up a bit of trunk space, a full sized spare is darned nice..  If you have to travel any distance on your current spare, and it's at all possible, put the spare on the rear, and move one of the rear tires up front.. 

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on April 26, 2011, 09:18:24 am

Quote from: maxfax on April 26, 2011, 02:57:05 am

It's not good for the diff at all..   Very short distances at low speeds is all that "donut" spare is really intended for..  IF you don;t mind giving up a bit of trunk space, a full sized spare is darned nice..  If you have to travel any distance on your current spare, and it's at all possible, put the spare on the rear, and move one of the rear tires up front.. 

x2, if you gotta drive more than like 10 miles, or over 40 mph, put the donut on the back and run a rear tire on the front end, then the spiders wont be constantly turning in the 3rd member..

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: Torchd on April 26, 2011, 10:23:56 am

Right..

So the front tires have to have the exact same circumference or can it be a little different?

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on April 26, 2011, 10:26:15 am

Quote from: Torchd on April 26, 2011, 10:23:56 am

Right..

So the front tires have to have the exact same circumference or can it be a little different?

if the front tires are different sized (1/2" or so probably wont even matter) then the spiders in the 3rd member will always be turning, and will wear them, and the conical washers..

think of it this way.. if you have differently sized tires on the front of your car, it will think you are constantly driving in circles. the differential doesnt know any better..

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: vanagonturbo on April 26, 2011, 09:33:11 pm

I think overall diameter might be prudent to mention here. If both tires have the same rolling radius, it should not affect the drive-train at all. Granted, a death donut is not for autocrossing, but it shouldnt have an adverse effect on the differential if it has the same overall diameter.

Perhaps the term 'tire size' should be clarified...

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on April 27, 2011, 09:14:55 am

Quote from: vanagonturbo on April 26, 2011, 09:33:11 pm

I think overall diameter might be prudent to mention here. If both tires have the same rolling radius, it should not affect the drive-train at all. Granted, a death donut is not for autocrossing, but it shouldnt have an adverse effect on the differential if it has the same overall diameter.

Perhaps the term 'tire size' should be clarified...

correct, if you have 2 tires that are ~ the same diameter.. it will work. we were running a 185/70/14 on my buddies Audi 90Q, and the other 3 tires were 205/40/17s... there wasnt enough diameter difference for the car to care..

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: Torchd on April 28, 2011, 06:09:38 am

Okay!!


I had to run 205/60/14 on one side and 185/70/13 on the other on front axle for about 8 kms. Did I damage my diff or am I alright?

Title: Re: Different size wheels on one axle?
Post by: theman53 on April 28, 2011, 06:32:23 am

nope, they are about the same rolling wise and that isn't that far. You would need a bunch of offset and much more distance to hurt it