Technical Fiat Siena/Palio OEM rims

[theonlynapsta]

I have the Palio/Siena 178 model. The car currently has the 14 inch 98PCD 5J rims on. It runs on Michelin 175 65R14 Energy Savers. Brilliant tyres and it goes more than the distance.

I am now investigating the possibility of changing the rims, but as close to the OEM specifications as possible... Peter Pickup swayed me in that direction some time ago... and thank you for that.

So, I have studied tyre width, pcd's, circumverances, etc. I was thinking of getting a steel rim, 14 inch 98PCD 6.5j (or 6j) which would easily take a 195 65 R14.

My theory is that the extra width with give more stability and tyre noise reduction and will also not interfere with the speedo.

Can anyone advise if this is ok to do? And I off the mark here?

Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Regards
Hugo

 

[octane_fx]

what a co-incidence , i have a 2002 fiat palio 1.6 GTX , standard rim and tyre sizes are 1.6 16V GTX 51/2 Jx14C(*) 175/65 R14
guess what i insatalled ,,,,, get ready !!!

205 / 55 / R15 !!!!!
will try and upload pics
comments any one ?

 

[theonlynapsta]

That will be great. I am a bit confused on the issue. I don't want to do the wrong thing. Here is a picture of what mine looks like at the moment...

 

[octane_fx]

I had the same ones, but after I installed 205/55 R15 there is slight steering play not a whole lot but slight movement in steering while car is in motion , I plan to do wheel alignment and wheel balancing which should solve the issue I presume, I have had no scraping issues yet as I drive cautious, if u can go for 205/50 R15 it will be awesome, my car tires are looking awesome, many people have asked and commented on it.

 

[octane_fx]

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

15" tires will NOT fit the original 14" rims....!!
I changed to 15"alloy's years ago on our Palio, with 195/50r15H Pirelli tires.
So if you're not satisfied with the original 14 inch wheels, why not change to 15 inch alloy's...??

 

[theonlynapsta]

15" tires will NOT fit the original 14" rims....!!

I changed to 15"alloy's years ago on our Palio, with 195/50r15H Pirelli tires.

So if you're not satisfied with the original 14 inch wheels, why not change to 15 inch alloy's...??

I don't understand. I want a wider 14 inch rim...

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

I don't understand. I want a wider 14 inch rim...

No problem, but you have to stick with 14" tires.

 

[theonlynapsta]

No problem, but you have to stick with 14" tires.

Yes, that is what my original post said! Sorry, am I missing something here?

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

what a co-incidence , i have a 2002 fiat palio 1.6 GTX , standard rim and tyre sizes are 1.6 16V GTX 51/2 Jx14C(*) 175/65 R14
guess what i insatalled ,,,,, get ready !!!

205 / 55 / R15 !!!!!
will try and upload pics
comments any one ?

He did fit 15 inch tires...

 

[octane_fx]

Yes 15" alloy rim and 15" tyres, the 14" steel rims are kept aside. Might sell em, if u can go for xxx/50-R15 they will look wide and hold more road,

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

I think 15 inch is the way to go, when changing original wheels on a Palio, indeed!!

 

[theonlynapsta]

Thank you Peter. You are always the voice of reason! I find that the 1.7TD's engine might be a wee bit heavy for the front body.

When the vehicle is hoisted, you also have to move the adjusters for the hoist way forward, otherwise the car tilts forward.

This I think, had an impact on the front suspension. So (as per your advise) I am going to go for the 15 inch 98pcd rims with a 195 tyre.

But... I am going to take precautions.

I am investigating putting a strut brace between the struts so as to stiffen up the front body. This is my opinion will reduce roll and at the same time tyre wear.

Front tyre wear and particularly on the inside, is a problem I have been having and I think it is due to the weight of the 1.7TD engine.

I am going to replace all the bushes with polyurethane ones and after that I will fit the strut brace.

I have been surfing the net... everywhere and can't find a brace for the palio/siena/albea models. I will have to make my own. See picture of the wooden beam across the engine bay.



I found a video on YouTube and made a few screenshots of one for a Palio Weekend. This one won't find my model, due to the engine being different ...









Following this, I will also do the rear suspension and ad a brace bracket between the two struts in the boot area.

Any thoughts you might have, will be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Hugo

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Search for wheels with 35 (or less) offset, and min, 6,5J wide.
I used to have an adjustable strutbrace on my Palio Weekend as well ( and now I have a brace on my Alfa GT....!).
Does it do much...??
No, but every bit counts, right....

 

[theonlynapsta]

Thank you so much. Where did get the strut brace for the Palio Weekend from?

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

I bought it localy from a company called "Sparco", but they don't list it anymore, I'm afraid...

 

[theonlynapsta]

I bought it localy from a company called "Sparco", but they don't list it anymore, I'm afraid...

There is gap between the cross-rails, similar to the picture below of a Palio Stile S10



And as per the 99RPM catalogue



I was advised to fit a brace between the two rails to help stiffen the suspension at the bottom.

I was advised that this will help with pull away and braking, the cross brace reducing the flexing and this will also help with tyre wear.

I also really appreciate your advise on the 15x6,5j 4x98PCD 35 offset rims. I am going to source a set I like and will post in due course.

I just want to make 100% sure the suspension is up to scratch before I fit them.

Also, I will have to manufacture a cross-rail bracket. Here are pictures of the suspension from the bottom.


From front...


From bottom looking up...




I am thinking of putting up a brace between the two cross-rails and the area just adjacent where the firewall meets the lower chassis. See photo below of before and after...



Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[theonlynapsta]

Here is another option... I think with the bars pulling on opposite ends and with the plate in the middle, it will reduce chassis flexing a bit... or too much.

Any thoughts will be welcome....

 

[octane_fx]

this is just awesome work going on theonlynapsta ,
I totally agree on the part that you commented about Peter,
Peter is always helping and very kind,

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Start easy: find some decent rims: 15"X6,5J, 4X98, offset 35, and fit quality tires 195-50R15H, with the correct pressure, and see if roadholding improves.
( I like a rim with 5 spoke design....)
Take care with the bolts, use ONLY bolts that come with the alloy rims, and thighten them according to specs.