Shocker choice for factory fitted FE2 & 20 inch rims

[Chuff]

Hey all,

I've searched high & low & can't find the answer to the question I need answered.

I've just bought a 6.0i Series 1 VE Calais that has factory fitted FE2 suspension as well as genuine GMH HSVi optioned 20 inch rims, and it's in need of 4 new shock absorbers, so I lookup the KYB model to suit my car, as I like KYB shockers, and the website tells me that they can't be fitted to vehicles with rims greater than 18 inches. I sent off an email to them to verify this information, and the response was:

Unfortunately, we do not have anything suitable for your vehicle with 20" rims.
If part numbers 834004 and 843003 are fitted with rims over 18" they will scrub against the wheels.

So, now I'm wondering am I going to have a similar problem with other shock absorber brands?

Has anyone encountered problems with shock absorbers scrubbing factory fitted 20 inch rims with FE2 suspension?

Thanks.

 

[MYVESSV8]

got kyb's on the front of my VE SS with 20s, sort body no problem

 

[Sean880]

Unfortunately, we do not have anything suitable for your vehicle with 20" rims.
If part numbers 834004 and 843003 are fitted with rims over 18" they will scrub against the wheels.

This does not make sense at least for the fitment you propose on your car with the HSV1 wheels and 245 35 20 tyres.

The offset of wheels used on the stock Calais (18 x 8 inch, 48p offset, 245 45 18 tyres ) and Calais V (8 x 19 inch, 48p offset, 245 40 19 tyres) is exactly the same as the offset of the 20 inch HSVi wheels which are 8 x 20 inch, 48p offset and fitted with 245 35 20 tyres.

Further, in all 3 cases, the diameter of the tyre is virtually the same within 3 mm (677 -680 mm). The position of the tyre relative to the front and rear suspension is the same in all 3 cases because the wheel offset is the same, the position of the tyre on the rim is the same and the diameter of the tyre is the same.

Thus if an 18 x 8 inch Calais wheel with the stock 245 45 18 tyres creates no clearance issue for the front struts and rear KYB shocks then it won't for the 20 x 8 inch HSVi wheels with the stock 245 35 20 package either.

The "scrub" comment would be valid if you fitted..............
1. a 19 or 20 inch wheel with a higher offset or with a wider tyre than 245; or

2. if you fitted both a higher offset wheel and wider tyre than 245; or

3. you fitted a tyre with a significantly larger diameter than any of those 3 tyre sizes mentioned such that the larger diameter tyre would protrude further up into the wheel well and could then contact the suspension.

So in view of that I would phone them up and ask them to explain why a 20 inch wheel with the same offset as the 18 inch wheel, same width tyre as fitted to the 18 inch wheel and with a 245 lower profile tyre the same diameter as the 245 tyre on an 18 inch wheel would create a clearance issue.

 

[MYVESSV8]

i will see if i can find my receipt for part numbers