Forester Wheels

[PAUL KETTERER]

I have a '98 Forester L with the stock 15" steel wheels with 205/70R15
tires, and an '05 Forester 2.5X on which I installed the optional 16"
alloys. Will the stock 16" steel wheels off my '05 fit my '98? If I mount
them with 215/60R16 tires will the ride height and speedometer be affected?
Is there any downside to doing this?

 

[Dave - Dave.net.nz]

I have a '98 Forester L with the stock 15" steel wheels with 205/70R15
tires, and an '05 Forester 2.5X on which I installed the optional 16"
alloys. Will the stock 16" steel wheels off my '05 fit my '98? If I mount
them with 215/60R16 tires will the ride height and speedometer be affected?
Is there any downside to doing this?

check here for size differences.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

downside is ride will be slightly harder.
upside is car should be more predictable in cornering.

 

[PAUL KETTERER]

Dave, thanks for the tire size calculator, very nice. Does anyone know if
the '05 wheels will mount on the '98?

 

[Dave - Dave.net.nz]

Dave, thanks for the tire size calculator, very nice. Does anyone know if
the '05 wheels will mount on the '98?

I'm pretty sure they will, Subaru have kept to 5x100mm for the last forever
go to your local mag outfit and they will be able to tell you.
ring the dealer and ask for the size?

Here in NZ they seem to be the same(5x100), but well, no idea where you
are, it may be different(although probably not).

 

[S]

Hi Paul!

Dave, thanks for the tire size calculator, very nice. Does anyone know if
the '05 wheels will mount on the '98?

I'm sure they will work just fine, but you _have_ both vehicles
available, don't you? Why not just try it?
Check for clearance between the tire and the strut, front and back,
and also to see that the outside of the tire isn't gonna contact the
fender lip or liner. This is kind of a guesstimate; if it looks real
close you can either pull the strut and work the suspension thru its
travel using a floor jack or the like (best), or rub some chalk on the
inside of the wheel well and drive over a good-sized speed bump to
compress the suspension, and look for chalk on the tire.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101