Problems with tire size
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: North Carolina
Problems with tire size
Well picked up some new wheels for my 98 base today. I'm looking at tires for the fronts. a 275/35r18 or a 255/40r18 and im leaning toward the 275. I've heard that a 275 is hard on the steering rack? Any truth to this or is it over exaggerated? The 275 retains the 1inch difference in tire diameter. The 255 has a .7 inch diameter difference between front and rear tires. Will I be better off with the 255 or 275. Car is used for aggressive handling so I want the best setup.
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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either will work, .7" difference is enough to keep the traction control happy... I run a 275 on the front of mine and ran a 285 for a couple of years with no issues so I wouldn't worry about that
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 202
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
Yea I figured the .7 is enough to keep the TC happy so no problem there. I think I'll go with the 275 to keep the ratios closer to stock. Can't wait to feel the handling with the wider tires! I've seen so many people run 265/75/85 on the front.. heck some autoX guys are running 305's... But I have heard that the steering rack and components can wear out so I was skeptical. I think I'll give the 275 a go though. Thanks for the input
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
you will have no issues with a 275 and I have never heard anything about it wearing out the steering components at a faster rate... do you suppose the autox guys are having these issues due to the aggressive alignments they run and the amount of stress they put the car through on the track?... to me that makes a lot more sense than them wearing the components from street driving
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 202
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
I've only read it a few times.. In fact I had a hard time finding information on wear due to the tires but I remember reading it a few times in some posts a while back... It is so hard to know for sure though do to the difference in Corvette drivers. Some baby their cars and think it wears out the car while others drive them on the track and autox them.
For example: A lot of drivers say that the c6 z06 sway bars are not a good match while other drivers say that the c6 z06 sway bars are awesome and the difference, to me, is that some drivers who like them enjoy the car with a little more over steer and others are not into the looseness due to driving preferences/environment. But the debate between sway bars is best left for another thread!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 202
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From: North Carolina
TPMS Question
Just thought about another question...
The new wheels do not have TPMS Sensors... Do I HAVE to buy new ones or can I mount tires without the sensors? Will it mess anything up aside from having a DIC message? I may have to break down and buy new sensors but I could care less about having TPMS honestly.
The new wheels do not have TPMS Sensors... Do I HAVE to buy new ones or can I mount tires without the sensors? Will it mess anything up aside from having a DIC message? I may have to break down and buy new sensors but I could care less about having TPMS honestly.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 202
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
Oh okay well that's good news. I'm not really worried about having the TPMS I check my tire pressure almost every time I take the car out anyway. But I don't want the car to freak out for not having the sensors.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 202
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina