Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi, I've had my Porsche 944 for over a year now, and many jobs done, from a complete interior refresh to welding sills and a complete re-spray. However, although great to drive the ride has never been perfect. I get quite a bit of bump steer, and the wheel can vibrate a fair bit at high speed. She also doesn't feel as well poised as she should round corners. I've never driven another 944, but still something just doesn't feel right. The tracking was done last year, and no problems with the other elements during the MOT. The biggest problem is how the rear passenger wheel, and occasionally the front on the same side, can hit the wheel arch under spirited driving, especially if you hit a dip in the road.

One other thing is the wheels. I've attached a pic of them. I was told on buying the car that these are 17" teledials from a turbo. That seems to match up. They certainly look larger than the standard items, but what do you guys think? Could this contribute to the above, or is it more likely the shocks that are at fault? They look like the originals front and back. If so, where is the best place to get replacements?

Mark

I'm not sure new shocks would help, the wheels look too big and look to be over hanging. Are the offsets correct?

Hi

I think offsets are also wrong...

There is a rough and ready check for bad offsets....

IF the wing is pressed down the wheel/tyre MUST be able to go inside the wing...the tyre MUST not touch the wing or bodywork both front and rear....

So if you press down on either the front or rear wing and it touches rubber rather than the rubber going inside the metal...there is something seriously wrong with either the wheel size of wheel offset...

IF they are genuine Porsche wheels you will find the size and offset stamped on either side of the tyre valve.... Put those in here ???

All the best Brett

I agree with Sean and Brett, it looks as if the offsets are wrong. You do have the correct diameter though. They are 15" wheels, I read the tyre size from your photo. Your car was standard on 15" wheels, it will take 16"and possibly 17" but the offsets must be correct.

Hi, it's possible a previous owner has put spacers on, so it might just a simple job of getting more appropriate sized ones. If thats the case it might partly explain your handling problems, especially for the fronts.

Carlos Fandango!

Fancy a Cigar!!!

Right, wheels off and some quick cleaning I think I have the answer. The wheels spec from the back is as follows:

Offset looks like 23.3mm
part number 951.362.104.00
Code 7Jx15ET 23.3

So, as mine is a 944 2.7 89 model the offset should be 52.3mm front and back. Is this correct?

Yeah the offset of those wheels you have are off an early car and will stick out too far. I was looking into this recently for putting similar offset ruf wheels on my turbo and unfortunately they would cause similar issues to yourself. You could maybe roll the arches or put more negative camber on the wheels but the best option is to get the correct offset wheels

yeah, think its time to get some new wheels and put these up for sale. So, an offset of 52.3 front and back should be better right?

That's correct. Now watch for the width. If you stick to 15" teledials they will be 7" wide all round. You can fit 16" off the S2, these were 7" front and 8" rear.

Tyres for 15", go for 215/60

For 16"
Front 205/55
Rear 225/50

Well managed to track down some nice teledials online. 15" j7 52.3 offset so should be good to go. Will need new tyres, but that was on the cards anyway. The ones on there don't even have a date stamp, they are that old!

If anyone is interested in the 15" with 23.3 offset let me know.

Thanks guys for all the advice. Hopefully should make a huge difference.

Now that I have some new 15" rims of the correct offset what tires do people recommend? Both size and make. Looking online it's a little confusing for the 89 2.7. It seems you can have:

195/65R15
205/60R15
215?60R15

That's back and front. Which would people recommend? Which was the original size? The 195's?

I'd go with 205 front and 225 rear, they will fit nicely.

Bridgestone S02 (if they do them in the 15")

I have the same car and have 215/60/15 which is the correct size that it came out of the factory with. I have firestone tyres on mine and have been very pleased with them. Cost me £300 the set.