Different size alloys front and back?

ShowMeTheCash · 19-12-2018 2:00pm #1

Is there any issue with have 17" alloys on the front of a car and 18" alloys on the back?

scannerd · 19-12-2018 10:14pm

in theory, as long as tyres are chosen to make the rolling radius the same, then it should drive fine, but unless it was a factory option, 90% chance you would fail NCT and possibly void insurance??

livingthedream · 20-12-2018 9:14am

Also if it's a 4WD and the rolling radius is not the same front and back then I believe you can cause damage to transfer box....

Neilw · 20-12-2018 9:45am

Some cars came from the factory with different size wheels front to rear.

Thatnastyboy · 20-12-2018 9:50am

To sum it up:

Depends - Give more info on make/model/spec and you can get a more definitive answer.

muckwarrior · 20-12-2018 10:02am

If the rolling radius is different then it could trigger traction/stability control.

Stallingrad · 20-12-2018 11:17am

Neilw wrote: »

Some cars came from the factory with different size wheels front to rear.

Different widths yes, not different diameters. Not that I've ever heard of anyway.

Neilw · 20-12-2018 2:15pm

Stallingrad wrote: »

Different widths yes, not different diameters. Not that I've ever heard of anyway.

Different widths for sure but there are a few that had different diameter wheels front to rear.
Porsche, Chrysler for sure.

jack of all · 20-12-2018 2:17pm

Neilw wrote: »

Different widths for sure but there are a few that had different diameter wheels front to rear.
Porsche, Chrysler for sure.

I seem to remember that the DeLorean was another!

colm_mcm · 20-12-2018 9:53pm

I’m gonna go out on a limb and suggest the OP isn’t looking at a Porsche.

TheBoyConor · 25-12-2018 2:03pm

Will be fine at NCT. My Almera had all 16" alloy wheels and for my NCT in July I knew my front tyres were worn to fook and it wouldn't pass. I found a scrapped Tiida with 15" steel wheels with decent enough tyres in that were a smaller radius but the tyres had more or less the same circumference and I put 2 of those on the front of my car and it passed fine, no problems.

Esel · 25-12-2018 3:03pm

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Will be fine at NCT. My Almera had all 16" alloy wheels and for my NCT in July I knew my front tyres were worn to fook and it wouldn't pass. I found a scrapped Tiida with 15" steel wheels with decent enough tyres in that were a smaller radius but the tyres had more or less the same circumference and I put 2 of those on the front of my car and it passed fine, no problems.

I wouldn't necessarily equate not failing the NCT with being safe on the road wrt a general question such as this.

Different size alloys front and back?

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