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Old 03-16-2005, 07:13 PM   #1
zacek
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 19467
Join Date: May 2002
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Chatsworth, CA.
Vehicle:
04 WRX STi
WR Blue - original owner

Default Staggered Wheels/Tires really BAD idea

WOW! not sure if this has been covered before but staggered combos besides being just logically bad for AWD cars is specially BAD on the STi's. The Active Differential will actually sense a tire's height (circumference would be more accurate) down to 0.5 inch and will start adjusting the compensate for the slower or faster spining tire. This just causes NASTY noises from the differential specially duing coasting (decelerating) conditions.

I had 235/40 on FRONT and 245/40 on REAR with the purpose of giving the rear tires a beefier look. Well, the looks part looked awesome but the DCCC did not like it at all. I would also get vibrations during normal driving at random times. I initially thought I had a bad balancing issue, then I went for the stiffer Hochtkis Bars, then finally used the stock front wheels to see if the vibration would go away leaving the big aftermarket in the rears. This obviously amplified the effent in height diferences of the tires and completely threw the differential off to the point of getting a strong vibrations while over 40mph and eventually a CE light. I then installed all 4 stock wheels and all strange noises and vibrations went away. So if you must use a staggered setup make sure the tire heights match because any difference greater than .25" will be picked up by the Active Differential.

Just wanted to share this!
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