97 passat glx wagon tire size

[jondab]

Hello,

Just bought it and noticed they had two different tire size front 205/65/15 and rear 205/55/15. The rears are cupped and making alot of road noise. Fronts are relatively new. Two questions:
1 I think the proper size is 215/50/15, are the 205/65/15 going to cause any problems (road handling, suspension, fit, etc) if I get two more of this size?

2 Any ideas what is causing rear wheels to wear irregularly and cup?


Thanks

[boschmann]

The two different sizes won't make too much of a difference if you keep the incorrect size on the rear, the correct size should be listed on the door jamb sticker. The height difference between a 50 & 55 series is pretty small & might only change the speedo reading a little. This will prevent you from rotating though. The first thing to check on the rear wear problem would be the wheel bearings. Raise the wheel off the ground, grab the tire at the top and bottom & try to rock it in and out. If you feel play the wheel bearings need to be adjusted. If there is no play then it will need to go to an alignment shop for checking. Note, I've seen many vehicles come from dealers with any old tires thrown on them, the rears may not have even come from that vehicle, they might have come from a used tire store that had changed them from another vehicle.