Tyres

[Obi]

Hi folks,

After reading about the much maligned space saver I decided that I better get myself a spare wheel....

I checked the tyre sizes and I am running 205s at the front and 195s at the back. Having checked the fact sheets in the members area it seems they should be the other way around.This is the way the Bongo came from the dealer...

So, should I get them changed around immediately and what would you recommend in the way of a spare considering the difference in tyre sizes?

Thanks,

Kev.

[jaylee]

Hi Kev,

This topic could solve your problem i had a full size spare for years thinking it would only be applicable to the back axle..
Now i have the same set up on all corners.. http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=54233

Problem solved for me!

[francophile1947]

Depends on what follows the 195 and 205. You should probably, depending on the year of your Bongo, have 195/70x15 on the front and 215/65x15 on the rear.
Is it a 2WD or 4WD?

[Obi]

Thanks for that Jaylee - I will probably go with all 4 corners the same eventually - the tyres on the bongo are in good condition at the moment o could do without the expense of replacing them.

John, its a converted 2001 2.5D 2WD. The front numbers: 205/65R15 94 H and the back: 195/70R15C/102R.

Thanks,

Kev.

[francophile1947]

Right, so you probably ought to swap the fronts to the rear, although this will make your driven wheels smaller, as they should be 215s - the narrower tyres are fitted to the front, to reduce oversteer. When replacing them, it's best to get get 215/65x15 all round

[Obi]

Thanks for that John, any advice on the spare wheel situation? Is it possible to get a tyre for the space saver?

Much obliged,

Kev.

[scanner]

Right, so you probably ought to swap the fronts to the rear, although this will make your driven wheels smaller, as they should be 215s - the narrower tyres are fitted to the front, to reduce oversteer. When replacing them, it's best to get get 215/65x15 all round

Trouble is the 205's are only 94 load index and it should be at least 96 on the back axle.

[francophile1947]

Right, so you probably ought to swap the fronts to the rear, although this will make your driven wheels smaller, as they should be 215s - the narrower tyres are fitted to the front, to reduce oversteer. When replacing them, it's best to get get 215/65x15 all round

Trouble is the 205's are only 94 load index and it should be at least 96 on the back axle.

Good point, but the 195s may only be 92, if they are to normal spec

[francophile1947]

Thanks for that John, any advice on the spare wheel situation? Is it possible to get a tyre for the space saver?

Much obliged,

Kev.

Don't bother - they are useless Put a request, in the stuff wanted section, for a full sized spare - there's usually a few lying around Either that or search your local scrapyards - there's lots of wheels that fit - just search through here http://www.alloywheelsinternational.com ... UIDE1.html - you need a PCD of 114.3 x 5 and a centre bore of 67.1.

[scanner]

............. but the 195s may only be 92, if they are to normal spec

Not these ones they are H/D van tyres

195/70R15C/102R.

Personally I'd bite the bullet now and change the whole lot as they are such a hotch potch.

Indeed if, as said, it has recently come from a dealer like, that I'd be going back and pointing out that it's pretty much illegal to run that set up and invite them to change the lot to save any trouble.

[Obi]

Cheers guys.

Scanner why the under the tyre size? Is it that bad? Have had the Bongo since Feb 2011 so to late to go back to the dealer with the tyres .

[scanner]

Cheers guys.

Scanner why the under the tyre size? Is it that bad? Have had the Bongo since Feb 2011 so to late to go back to the dealer with the tyres .

No, the 195 tyres are way OVER spec (that's a very high load index for a 195) for load index, but under spec on width for the rear axle.
The 205s are wider than standard and only need to be 92 load index for the front axle but are under width and under load index for the rear axle.

It is only going really be a problem should the worst happen and you have an accident that gets investigated by the Police Examiner, they note the discrepancy and the insurance company decide to question it.

The sizes really are way out for where they are fitted, as said fitted back to front, for my own peace of mind I'd change to 215/65 all round as soon as possible if it were mine.