steel wheels

[Andrew Ish]

I'm trying to put together a set of 5.5*15 steel wheels as a second set of rims to fit some winter tyres to. I've just collected a couple of original 911 steels from Tim (impmad2000) and have also got one off ebay that is actually a 944 spare wheel part no 911 361 022 11.

The offset of the 944 spare looks correct, though I have yet to measure it precisely and the guage of the steel looks to be the same as the original 911 wheels.

However, there is a sticker on the wheel stating "for emergency use only, do not exceed 62mph". I am assuming that this really applies to the use of the wheel as a spare on the 944 as the tyre size would be different to the other three wheels on the 944; its a 165/15 and that as long as I use it with identical wheels and tyres on each corner this warning does not apply.

What do you guys think? Anybody in the know on this?

thanks in advance
Andrew

PS If anyone has a couple of 5.5" steels that they're happy to part with then let me know please - I can complete my set

[Derek]

I have a 944 steel spare and it won't fit on my 1970 911. The hole in the middle of the wheel does not fit. If it's any use to you make me an offer. The wheel and tyre have never been on the road.

I also have my original steel spare from the 911. pm me an offer.

[Nick Moss]

The speed limit sticker is refering to the tyre as the car would have been fitted with H or Z rated tyres but the spare would have been relatively narrow and probably fitted with only an S rated tyre.

[Andrew Ish]

Derek,
my 944 spare also has the smaller central hole so I'll probably find it gives me a problem too. I'll find out tomorrow morning and let you know
Nick,
62mph seems a remarkably slow limit for a tyre but I guess it could originally have been one of these collapsable tyres? The current tyre fitted is H rated but of course I don't know if its the original.
thanks
Andrew

[Gilbert '71 T]

62mph seems a remarkably slow limit for a tyre but I guess it could originally have been one of these collapsable tyres?

Must be for a collapsable tyre, I have one as my spare and it has the yellow sticker on the wheel (i have a later tank in my car) and annoyingly it came into use for the first time on wednesday, A12 Blackwall tunell approach 4pm, just starting to get busy, The sight of a shiny early 911 caused quite a stir as well with the rubberneckers They are correct about the speed limits on those things, I'd say it even started to feel hairy approaching 50mph, so I kept to 45 max, it's just not worth the risk.

All the best with the wheels, must say I thought the car looked pretty cool with the steel on it and no hubcab, I'd consider a set for winter use, like your thinking

[Andrew Ish]

commiserations on the puncture/flat Darren. All part of the excitement of ownership isn't it

So I've just come in from a trial fitting and I'm pleased to say the 944 spare fits as well as the original 911 steel. They are both the same 42mm offset as well. I'm puzzled now why Derek's doesn't fit his car. Mines a '70MY E originally with I believe pretty standard suspension and the central hole in the 944 wheel is 72mm. So are there different hub arrangements around? or is Derek's central hole smaller?

What I have noticed is that all my wheels rub against the bottom of the inner wing at the front when on full lock and given that I'm not using big fat tyres, I'm assuming this must be a fairly common thing? Anybody with similar experiences?
My wheel tyre combinations are:
6*15 fuchs with 185/70
5.5*15 steels with 185/70
5.5*15 steels with 165

Andrew