Volvo RWD 444-544 Forum

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Those Marvelous Factory PV Colors! 444-544

American Racing Equipment Torq Thrust II's, in 15X6 size with 205/60/15 Yokohama tires.

Adding wider tires is a bit tricky on a PV because the front suspension (unlike later model Volvos) has an upper pivot which extends upward past the edge of the rim. The stock 4 inch wide rims do not have extra clearance there, so any extra width needs to go to the outside. I think the stock backspacing is something like 3 1/2 inches. Most models of 4.5 bolt pattern 15X6 wheels (probably designed for Mustangs and other 60's Ford and Mopar cars) seem to have 3 3/4's inch back spacing, but the Torq Thrust II's had 3 3/8's. Another consideration for replacement wheels is that the front tie rod end also sits inside the rim, fairly close to it. A thick and/or angled inner rim surface will rub, especially a 14 incher.

They fit on perfectly on the front, and though my steering seems a bit stiff anyway (I DO lube all 75 of those grease fittings on the front suspension!) I didn't notice any great increase in steering effort or bump steer. In the rear there was a very slight clearance problem between the fender and the tire. I took a round wooden dowel and rolled it around the opening several times on each side to slightly bend in the fender's lip and cured it. The cornering and handling is vastly improved over the skinny tall 165R15 tires I had on it before, but I only found those to be a limitation after putting on IPD sway bars.






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New Those Marvelous Factory PV Colors! [444-544]
posted by  john erik  on Wed Jun 18 05:45 CST 2003 >


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