Wider Tires and Wheel Bearings
 

Hi,

Very new here.

If the R53 uses wider tires - perhaps 245/40-15 or even Hoosier 225-15 R7's - are cars having any bearing failures on the track. I assume they were not designed to have this kind of stress on the bearings. I was considering mild flares.

Those tire WON'T fit on R53.
Been there, done that. Back when I had one I ran 220/45/17 hankooks (cadillac sizing) on 7 inch rims with 45 offset. Used 20 mm spacers to round out the stance. Did some minor trimming on the rear plastics to accomodate weight of passengers.
Ran this combo for 8 years with NO PROBLEMS.
ISAMIN

Thanks for the reply. You were running effectively a 25 mm offset with 17's.

I would run 15's. They give you a little more room. Also, there are lots of aftermarket flares to give an extra inch or two. I am curious if the bearings would withstand the extra load.

Several of the STX guys are using the 245/15 Rival S on R56s, the bearing design looks similar (cartridge style.)

Also back in the days of "stock" r-comp SCCA R50 & R53s ran 225 (I think) Hoosiers.

I don't remember hearing of bearing failures, but not everything was documented perfectly at the time.

Thanks for the replies. I would think - but I am only guessing that the bearings have held up reasobly well if they have not been reported here. This is only a guess on my part.

I run 225/45/15 R7s on my R53 GTS2 car, and am on the 3rd or 4th set of front wheel bearings. Only buy OEM wheel bearings, and I have noticed the last set has lasted the longest so maybe there has been some improvement. The car has been cut and flares added.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f959283bbc.jpg


Rear wheel bearings are a none issue.

Thanks for taking the time for this.

how long do they last?

how competitive is your car in that class?

A set of wheel bearings will last about a dozen to 20 track weekends. That's a couple of years for me.

The car is competitive in it's class, the driver is about a second or two off the top guy's pace. But we have a pro coach/driver and a national champion in GTS2 in Texas.

Thanks for the replies. Interesting. I sent you a pm. Hopefully you can answer if you have time.