galaxie66
02-04-2005, 11:43 PM
I purchased a 96 Grand Voyager that was dented by the driver's rear tire. There was minor body damage but the tire and rim was replaced. I noticed that the replacement rim was different. It has rectangular slots instead of holes. The wheelcover didn't seem to fit right either. After doing some measuring it seems that the backspacing is .25 " different than the other 3 rims. It appears to be the same as the rims on my 91 Caravan. The 91 has 205/70s and the Voyager has 215/65s. Is there a difference between 91 and 86 rims? What problems could this cause if this wheel is put on the front? Thanks
gas28man
02-06-2005, 01:29 PM
You definitely do have the older rim on there. The only problem you might experience is a rub inside the fenderwell when your steering wheel is at full lock in one direction or another. What you should be most concerned about on the front wheels, though, is not the size of the rim, but rather, the outer circumference of the tire. If there's too great a difference, it strains the differential too much, and will heat up the transaxle if you drive it too far that way. That's why you're not supposed to drive a mini-spare more than 50 miles.
To check this, stand the two tires side by side, and if there's a noticeable difference, go get yourself another rim. I went to a junkyard and just asked for a full-size spare for the appropriate vehicle. It may take some shopping around, as the junkyards are not yet full of these models.
Rick
