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Pelskikker

New Member
Hello all,

This is not the front wheel / rear wheel question again! I've seen that topic a million times on google already :)

I have been looking for a new set of tires for the better part of a week. The problem is, it is hard to find tires in the freelander size that are somewhat capable.

But here is my question:

At some places it says the drivetrain will be damaged if the circumference of the tires is over 2,5% more then of the original tires (215/65/R16).
But in other places people are talking about large tire sizes and using them without a problem.

How much is true of the statement that replacement tires are not supposed to differ too much in circumference from the original ones?
I know people fit tire sizes like 215/75/R16 and 225/75/R16 and I even heard of 225/80/R16 I believe, but is the risk on damage nonexistent, slim or real?

It had something to do with drivetrain gearing or something, that the drivetrain is designed for a specific wheel circumference.

It is driving me a little crazy, for tires with potential I have to go a little bigger, but if this means I run a real risk on drivetrain damage I'd rather stick with the safer smaller tires.

By the way, the suspension (springs) have been replaced by springs that put the car about 2 to 3 cm higher off the ground. I gotta admit this makes a real difference :) Yesterday I went up a small hill I first could net get up because the bumper would be there just before the wheels got there. And now it worked :)
So I would prefer the bigger tires as I signed up for an offroad event and might have chosen a somewhat too ambitious route so that extra ground clearance might be what I need. I'd think 215/75/R16 or if 215 is unavailable maybe 225/75/R16 and I know this fits (I already read it on this forum and on google) but I do not want to ruin the drivetrain.
 
since front wheels are driven slightly faster than rear the only issue i can see apart from fitting vehicle is not to have a tyre with larger circumference on front than rear ,so 4 the same would be ok
 
The springs are from TJM, it is the XGS range. They are made in australia (I found out afterward). They really do look heavy duty. My mechanic usually puts on springs by hand, just pushing them in and there they go. Here they tried with two mechanics simultaneously and ended up renting some kind of suspension thing that screws on.
The same however was for getting the old original springs off. Usually one guy screws something off the top and he just holds the spring down... he did it once with one spring and decided against it with the three others :D

I paid about 200 euro's for the springs (4 pieces ofcourse). I fear they are usually more expensive as the only reason I got them at that price is because he probably already had them lying around for 5 years or so. He first wanted me to pay 360 euro's so I am assuming that is the regular price. But if you find them somewhere you can bargain, I fear most garages think they will never sell them.
And never forget, in The Netherlands everything is more expensive. So you can probably even get a better deal.

I have to say, they work quite well. I only have them on for 2 days now but you really notice the difference. They are much stiffer. I do however fear driving on bumpy forest roads at 70 km/hour is now less pleasant but it really did give me a better approach angle or how you guys call it.
 
Thanks, sound a better option than just adding packers under the body, will def look them up see if I can find some in the UK.
 
Pelskikker said:
My mechanic usually puts on springs by hand, just pushing them in and there they go. Here they tried with two mechanics simultaneously and ended up renting some kind of suspension thing that screws on.
The same however was for getting the old original springs off. Usually one guy screws something off the top and he just holds the spring down... he did it once with one spring and decided against it with the three others :D
Click to expand...

Completely off topic here, but FFS, don't try that at home. Guy sounds like a complete ####tard if he does that :eek:

For example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI
 
Last edited:
the bigger the wheels and tyres will make the speedo not read true also if you put smaller ones on same thing
 
I am assuming that going down in size wouldn't be a problem either, as long as all wheels are the same size and same amount of wear.

As mentioned in my thread, I'm looking to go from 65 to 60 profile all round only because I have the tyres already.
Next winter I would put the correct size on.
 
Regarding the speedo, I think I will take my gps with me for a while. I'll put the cruise control on and see what the difference is between the needle and the gps. Hopefully not all too much, but as fines are almost equally high as road tax over here I am going to make sure I'll know where the needle has to be :)

In a week I will know by heart where the needle has to be :)
Gotta admit, I hardly ever speed since I got me the FL.
 
Yep all speedos over read, but it varies depending on speed.

I have a problem with just using the GPS for speed, as you need to be travelling at a constant speed on a level road and be in sight of many satellites.

Saying to the judge that I ignored my speedo and used the GPS to tell me how fast I was going won't go down very well :lol:
 
Epicuser said:
Yep all speedos over read, but it varies depending on speed.

I have a problem with just using the GPS for speed, as you need to be travelling at a constant speed on a level road and be in sight of many satellites.

Saying to the judge that I ignored my speedo and used the GPS to tell me how fast I was going won't go down very well :lol:
Click to expand...

What I like about my tom tom is when you get 5mph over posted speed a little red light flashes............. And it is not the coppers in the rear view:p
 
Epicuser said:
Yep all speedos over read, but it varies depending on speed.

I have a problem with just using the GPS for speed, as you need to be travelling at a constant speed on a level road and be in sight of many satellites.

Saying to the judge that I ignored my speedo and used the GPS to tell me how fast I was going won't go down very well :lol:
Click to expand...

Most speedometers read between 7% and 10% over I believe.

GPS units on the other hand are very accurate, regardless of of speed and terrain (provided there are a good number of satellites in view).
 
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