15" to 16" upgrade: need to change alignment??

Hans · May 21, 2007

Hi guys,

The shop who does the upgrade from my 15" to the new 16" wheels on my GT4 tells me that they need to redo the wheel alignment (caster, toe in/out and more terminology that I'd need to look up), as, according to them, the GT4 was factory delivered with 14" (stock) or 16" (for track use), and they now needed to dial in the 16" values as specified by Ferrari.

I'd think the difference in values has more to do with road (14" values in the books) or track (16" values), rather than the actual size of the wheels. The shop tells me that my assumption is wrong.

Help! Are they right? Does one need to change alignment when putting on larger wheels???

Thanks!!

Hans

ddiesen · May 21, 2007

Doesnt make sense to me. After all tire diameter does not change. The reason to go to a 16" wheel is to reduce the sidewall on the tire not to change suspension geometry. I could possibly see the point if you were lowering the car but other than that I could se no reason for a realignment. I could be wrong and if so someone please explain. : )

Jbryant · May 21, 2007

ddiesen said: ↑

Doesnt make sense to me. After all tire diameter does not change. The reason to go to a 16" wheel is to reduce the sidewall on the tire not to change suspension geometry. I could possibly see the point if you were lowering the car but other than that I could se no reason for a realignment. I could be wrong and if so someone please explain. : )
Click to expand...

I agree.
I went from the 390MM Rims to a 17" rim. The tires went from 220/55 to 225/45 in front and 255/40 in the rear. The overall tire diameter remained almost the same. Stock was 24.9" Dia and new tires are 25.

This small of a change should not effect the alignment.

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15" to 16" upgrade: need to change alignment??

Hans F1 Veteran

ddiesen Karting

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