Winter Tires and Steel Rims

I looking for some advice regarding steel wheels to mount snow tires.
Volvo spare parts lists a 16" x 7" wheel. 3rd Party I am only able to
locate 16" x 6.5" wheels. I wouldn't think it would matter, but are
there any implications with the slightly narrower rim?

Tires to be mounted are 215/55R16. Original All-Seasons are 225/50R17
on a 17" x 7" Alloy. The Volvo dealer has 215/55R16 Tire and Rim sets
but the price is insane.

 

You didn't say what model you have. If it's an R model with Brembo
brakes, I'd be careful going any narrower as you may have problems
with clearance between the inside of the rim and the outside of the
brake caliper.

 

It's a 2000 S80. I was under the impression that the rim diameter
could affect the brakes but, not the width of the rim. I'm thinking
that the .5" difference in the rim width should only make a minute
change in the profile of the mounted tire.

 

Look at the specs from the tire manufacturer. They'll list an
acceptable range of rim widths for each one of their tires.

For example, this page on the Toyo Proxes FZ4:
http://www.toyo.com/tires/tire_specsheet.cfm?id=4
lists a minimum width of 6", design width of 7" and a maximum width of
7.5" for your size.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

The wheel offset is important to maintain lateral caliper to wheel
clearance. I think this is the issue that was being pointed out. As you
say, a narrower rim should not be an issue with regard to radial clearance.
In fact, you should have more clearance inboard around the suspension
providing the wheel offset distance is not reduced & this will ease the use
of snow chains if you plan to use them. Wheel offset is normally measured
between the centreline of the rim to the inside bolt face, but a check of
distance between outboard edge of caliper & inside surface of wheel is
effectively the same.

Andy P.

 

I got my winter wheels by mail order from Tire Rack in Indiana (tirerack.com)
Their prices were good, service excellent. They also sell tires.

 

I bought the same steel wheels that Volvo sells for the S80 for not much $$
at Les Schwab.

Then I put on a set of Michelin Artic Alpin's and the car is awesome in the
snow and ice! Sticks like glue.