Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

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Danteandsoob
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Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by Danteandsoob »

I have a 93' legacy L AT. Hit a curb the other night, sidewall bulged. Got the REAR 2 tires replaced (5/32") and kept the front two (2-3/32"). Is this x/32 of an inch OK to run? I have NO center differential, and NO limited slip differential.
- '93 Metallic Blue Legacy L, DD w/lots of mods
- '91 Mazda Miata, Autox fun car
Danteandsoob
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by Danteandsoob »

Sorry if this has been posted for the 100th time on this forum, I just haven't found and info on subaru's having differnt tread on the front AND back.

And as far as I know, I the LSD's only come on the GT's and SS'..?
Mines just an L, so I wouldn't think it has anything so special.
- '93 Metallic Blue Legacy L, DD w/lots of mods
- '91 Mazda Miata, Autox fun car
86BRATMAN
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by 86BRATMAN »

If your car is awd you need to follow the rules of tires or you risk damaging the clutch packs that transfer power to the rear. You may not have a center diff or an lsd, but that doesn't mean you won't do damage. Subaru says no more than 1/4 inch circumference from the smallest to the largest.
Danteandsoob
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by Danteandsoob »

So tried spinning the rear wheels and only one turned :/
What does this mean?

And I was planning on changing the front wheels within this summer season, would that be okay on the clutch pack?
- '93 Metallic Blue Legacy L, DD w/lots of mods
- '91 Mazda Miata, Autox fun car
James614
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by James614 »

That just means you don't have an LSD, like 99.9999% of all cars ever made. Perfectly normal.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
Danteandsoob
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by Danteandsoob »

Alright, cool. So if I changed the front tires this season, I should be okay?
- '93 Metallic Blue Legacy L, DD w/lots of mods
- '91 Mazda Miata, Autox fun car
mike-tracy
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by mike-tracy »

No, a difference larger than 1/4" between front and rear tires will wear out your transmission in a hurry.

If you absolutely must swap only 2, put a fuse (5A or larger) in the fuse holder (marked FWD) in the engine bay, passenger side all the way by the firewall. This will convert your car to front wheel drive.

Another option is a used tire place, see if they can find you some with the same tread thickness.
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
Legacy777
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by Legacy777 »

You need to measure the circumference of all the tires. Take a string, drive over it, and wrap the rest around the tire. Mark where the string overlaps, remove the string from under the tire, and measure the distance marked. Do this for all four tires and see what your circumferences are to see if they are within the 1/4" tolerance.
Josh

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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
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Danteandsoob
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by Danteandsoob »

I just did, and I'm right at 0.25" or 1/4". Is that OK for now? Was planning on replacing the smaller ones ASAP.
- '93 Metallic Blue Legacy L, DD w/lots of mods
- '91 Mazda Miata, Autox fun car
James614
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Re: Small tire difference, wondering if it's okay to do.

Post by James614 »

You will be fine, just replace the low ones as soon as you can.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
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