Front Winter Tires Rubbing on Suspension?

[D.J.]

Just for fun, I compared my steel 18x7.5 ET42 to your 18x8 ET 35. Backspace is within 1mm.

We both have 225/45 tires.
Virtually identical - so I really suspect something is wrong with your numbers (wrong rims?)

 

[RM7]

And I spent quite a while researching and looking at if I could run 18x8.5 35 square with 255 tires. All signs pointed to: Should work, if anything only a small amount of spacing would be necessary. Worked just fine in the end, but if I can do this, there should be no reason why 18x8 shouldn't work and it's an OEM size (well, 34 is, but close enough).

 

[Dan00Hawk]

It might be worth also having a shop check your alignment and suspension to make sure nothing is bent, broken, worn out, or out of spec. While it's unlikely that's the cause of the rubbing, I'm sure TireRack is going to want to rule out all other possibilities before sending you another 2 tires.

 

[ldusseau]

I will have my shop check the offset when they get it on the hoist.

 

[ldusseau]

Just for fun, I compared my steel 18x7.5 ET42 to your 18x8 ET 35. Backspace is within 1mm.

We both have 225/45 tires.
Virtually identical - so I really suspect something is wrong with your numbers (wrong rims?)

View attachment 65163

Thank you. This is something I can go to Tire Rack with and have them compare the backspace (didn't know the technical term) of the

Just for fun, I compared my steel 18x7.5 ET42 to your 18x8 ET 35. Backspace is within 1mm.

We both have 225/45 tires.
Virtually identical - so I really suspect something is wrong with your numbers (wrong rims?)

View attachment 65163

Thank you. This is something I can go to Tire Rack with; have them compare the backspace (didn't know the technical term) of the OEM rims to the Sport Tuning AT4. If there's a difference then they should be able to recommend either the correct hub-centric spacer or maybe a new rim. Either way they didn't give me good advice.

 

[ldusseau]

It might be worth also having a shop check your alignment and suspension to make sure nothing is bent, broken, worn out, or out of spec. While it's unlikely that's the cause of the rubbing, I'm sure TireRack is going to want to rule out all other possibilities before sending you another 2 tires.

I want to say that Tire Rack doesn't get a vote here. The car was perfect before; no pulling or vibration at 120MPH. They have to send me new tires because these are "shaved".

 

[Dan00Hawk]

I want to say that Tire Rack doesn't get a vote here. The car was perfect before; no pulling or vibration at 120MPH. They have to send me new tires because these are "shaved".

I agree with you. But it'll help alleviate any doubt on their behalf if you document that there are no alterations or issues with the car that could have cause the issue with the setup they sent you.

 

[ldusseau]

I agree with you. But it'll help alleviate any doubt on their behalf if you document that there are no alterations or issues with the car that could have cause the issue with the setup they sent you.

Yes, it's going back to my shop tomorrow, on to the hoist and pictures will be taken of the tires. Hopefully on the trip back across town enough of the sidewall will deposit back on the control arm to match what I picked off on Friday night, and maybe there's more where I couldn't see it while lying on the garage floor.

 

[ldusseau]

Thank you. This is something I can go to Tire Rack with and have them compare the backspace (didn't know the technical term) of the

Thank you. This is something I can go to Tire Rack with; have them compare the backspace (didn't know the technical term) of the OEM rims to the Sport Tuning AT4. If there's a difference then they should be able to recommend either the correct hub-centric spacer or maybe a new rim. Either way they didn't give me good advice.

I asked them today what the backspacing was and they said they didn't measure that. I shot back: "well how can you recommend a wheel if you don't know what this dimension is?" They said all they have is the offset. <insert facepalm emoji> If they don't know this measurement, I have to believe they've run into this issue before, especially considering how OEMs do their jounce and rebound studies and how an aftermarket wheel manufacturer wouldn't do the same (therefore they really have no idea how the the tires will fit their wheels

 

[D.J.]

I asked them today what the backspacing was and they said they didn't measure that. I shot back: "well how can you recommend a wheel if you don't know what this dimension is?" They said all they have is the offset. <insert facepalm emoji> If they don't know this measurement, I have to believe they've run into this issue before, especially considering how OEMs do their jounce and rebound studies and how an aftermarket wheel manufacturer wouldn't do the same (therefore they really have no idea how the the tires will fit their wheels

Isn't some (not all - some) liability on the shop that installed the wheels?
I mean - if there was an interference fit - or only a 1mm clearance - I would consider that a NO GO. Not safe etc...

Did they just blindly install the wheels without checking anything at all? (Maybe that's all they were paid to do).

Can you share a picture of or 2?

 

[JSolo]

Tire rack + kia fails again.

I ordered wheels/tires from them a decade ago for winter for the optima s(u)x. Received the set and did a trial fit. Rears fit fine, fronts would not clear the calipers. TR had to pick up the tab for return shipment. Next set of winter wheels/tires came from disco tire for the car replacing the optima.

 

[ldusseau]

Isn't some (not all - some) liability on the shop that installed the wheels?
I mean - if there was an interference fit - or only a 1mm clearance - I would consider that a NO GO. Not safe etc...

Did they just blindly install the wheels without checking anything at all? (Maybe that's all they were paid to do).

Can you share a picture of or 2?

My indy shop is the best in Ann Arbor. I didn't notice anything driving home through town after I picked up the car, it only started while driving at freeway speeds. My beef isn't with them, it's with Tire Rack. They were the ones that assured me that ammost $2k of tires and wheels would fit.

 

[D.J.]

My indy shop is the best in Ann Arbor. I didn't notice anything driving home through town after I picked up the car, it only started while driving at freeway speeds. My beef isn't with them, it's with Tire Rack. They were the ones that assured me that ammost $2k of tires and wheels would fit.

Fair enough.
it is very difficult to find a trustworthy reliable shop. If you have found one, keep it

 

[ldusseau]

Fair enough.
it is very difficult to find a trustworthy reliable shop. If you have found one, keep it

I found them after the "stealership" warranty expired on my first BMW. I quit going to the dealership with my second BMW because they tried to jerk me around and I realized I knew more about cars than the "service advisor". I was bummed out when I thought I had to find someone new when I got the Stinger. The owner (who I've become friends with) said "We work on Asian cars too". As you all know it's very hard to find an honest repair shop that shares our passion for cars; they are enthusiasts just like us.

 

[RogueIV]

I asked them today what the backspacing was and they said they didn't measure that. I shot back: "well how can you recommend a wheel if you don't know what this dimension is?" They said all they have is the offset. <insert facepalm emoji> If they don't know this measurement, I have to believe they've run into this issue before, especially considering how OEMs do their jounce and rebound studies and how an aftermarket wheel manufacturer wouldn't do the same (therefore they really have no idea how the the tires will fit their wheels

Again you really need to make sure those wheels are actually the advertised +35. Asking them what the backspacing is isn't going to get you anywhere, physically look at the wheels you have and get pictures of any numbers that are cast on the back of the wheel. Also, you can measure backspacing yourself pretty easily and you can also get offset from the backspace number. This video tells you how to measure it.

But really the numbers cast on the back of the wheel should tell you what offset it is.

FYI I also run 18x8 +35 wheels (Sparco Terra) in winter. your backspacing should be roughly 5.87" if your size is correct. I don't have any rubbing issues and I run 235/45r18.

 

[ldusseau]

Again you really need to make sure those wheels are actually the advertised +35. Asking them what the backspacing is isn't going to get you anywhere, physically look at the wheels you have and get pictures of any numbers that are cast on the back of the wheel. Also, you can measure backspacing yourself pretty easily and you can also get offset from the backspace number. This video tells you how to measure it.

But really the numbers cast on the back of the wheel should tell you what offset it is.

FYI I also run 18x8 +35 wheels (Sparco Terra) in winter. your backspacing should be roughly 5.87" if your size is correct. I don't have any rubbing issues and I run 235/45r18.

The car is back at the shop today to go on the hoist. They will take pictures of what the tire is rubbing on and the information on the back of the wheel and will send it today. I took these today (lying on the floor) and you can see where the tire is chewed up and some debris on the control arm

 

[D.J.]

wow.. it must be just kissing.
Didn't even take the molding nubs off.
Cant wait to see what the actual offset is stamped on the wheel

 

[MerlintheMad]

From your pics, I would not use the words "chewed up". The "debris" on the control arm looks more like a splotch of something oily/greasy, not like chewed rubber. What I am saying is, I hope that your initial trepidation does not mean damaged tires: as already said, it looks like they are barely rubbing. A spacer should move the sidewall out enough to eliminate the problem, and no damage done (hopefully).

 

[ldusseau]

From your pics, I would not use the words "chewed up". The "debris" on the control arm looks more like a splotch of something oily/greasy, not like chewed rubber. What I am saying is, I hope that your initial trepidation does not mean damaged tires: as already said, it looks like they are barely rubbing. A spacer should move the sidewall out enough to eliminate the problem, and no damage done (hopefully).

It was rubber, I pulled off a chunk last friday.

 

[ldusseau]

Perhaps "chewed up" was not the best choice of words but I have no idea how much of the tire was worn away. These pictures are obviously not the whole story either; there's the other 75% of the tire that I could not see and whatever part of the suspension the tire was rubbing on. I was also PISSED Friday night that I was told these wheels and tires would fit when they obviously do not. Driving the car at 40MPH on a turn today induced a fair amount of shaking, freeway speed was completely untenable. That being said I still maintain Tire Rack owes me two new tires and I am going to lobby them to pay for the spacers since this is an unnecessary yet necessary additional expense. The tires have road hazard coverage but even if I were to return these wheels and order something different I don't have confidence those would fit either, based on this experience.