problems with rims and tires

Post by **lovemy04maxima** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

I bought an 04 maxima and took to a tire shop to have chrome rims and tires put on, every since then I have had a terrible vibration in my steering wheel. After having them balanced twice I took to the dealership and am being told they have the wrong tire size and offset and this is causing the probem. Factory size tires should be 245/45/18 and rims should have offset between 32-36. The tires on now are 225/40/18 and offset of 42. My question is am I going to have to purchase all new rims and tires or will spacers correct this problem? Any advice would be helpful. Thank you!

Post by **Grant@tirerack** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

That fitment is way off for your Maxima. The dealership is correct. The tire size alone is a scarry thing. The tires you have are a little over 1.5" shorter than what you need for the car plus it is narrower than stock. The load rating would be about 300lbs per tire lower than the stock tires simply because the air chamber is too small on that tire. If it were me, I'd take everything back to the shop and demand your money back. This isn't even close to being a safe fitment. You can do some long term damage to the car running that short of a tire as well. The electronics on the car are very sensitive to changes in the O.D. and it has the same impact as changing your gear ratios on the back end of everything. The offset is totally wrong and if you are getting a vibration, I'd be willing to bet they aren't hub-centric. The wheels have to fit right on the hub and there should be no slop when you put the wheel on the hub. If the hole in the back of the wheel is larger than the hub all of the load is resting on the lugs (bad, very bad). After a few miles the lug holes will start to enlarge and you get a vibration.

There are a lot of good shops out there and there are also a lot that are more concerned with your pocketbook than your safety.

Post by **lovemy04maxima** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

wow Grant, thank you so much. I am waiting on a return call from the business right now, I will demand new rims and tires. The scary thing is the guy that owns this store (part of a franchise) is a friend of the family. So needless to say I am not happy.

Post by **Grant@tirerack** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

Just for the record here's the facts:Stock tires are 245/45-18 and are 96 load rated which means at the stock air pressure of 32psi, the tires load capacity is 1479lbs per tire. That's what Nissan specs for the car. The tire they sold you are only an 83 load rated tire. Even if it's an extra load tire (which would have more sidewall and belt layers for heaver loads), it would max out at 1389lbs per tire and that's if you ran them at 50psi! If it's a standard load tire the max. load would be 1074 lbs per tire at 35psi:eek: I wouldn't want to be driving on those on a hot Summer afternoon and I wouldn't want my family anywhere near the car with that setup. This fitment is a liability lawer's dream come true:(

Post by **lovemy04maxima** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

Grant,

I am hoping they are going to correct this, I still havent heard back. One question do you think they will? I bought these 3 months ago almost to the day.

Post by **Grant@tirerack** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

I'd say that armed with the load rating issue alone, you'll have a very good case. If they have any business sense at all (especally in light of the legal implications and the whole Ford Explorer situation) they should work with you on some type of solution. All in all, it's a bad fitment and if someone were to be hurt from a failure....

Post by **AZhitman** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

This is EXACTLY the type of discussion we've been waiting for.

Grant, you're a Godsend. When will folks (tire/wheel shops) learn? I'm SO glad we're able to correct this kind of ridiculousness.

Just out of curiosity, who selected the tires?

Post by **lovemy04maxima** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

Well hello fellow Arizonian! I let the owner (friend of the family) pick out the tires, He gave me a few rim styles to choose from and I picked the rim I liked and he just put the tires. Grant...you have been wonderful ty again, FYI I talked to the tire shop tonight and the rim manufacturer (who of course tried to argue that those work just fine with my car) and they will be replacing the rims with the correct size and the tires as well. Phewww I am so relieved. Thanks again and glad I found this board! I am going to post the pic of my car so you all can see how beautiful it is, the 04 maxima really is great:D....hmmm well i guess it will be awhile until I get a pic up cant quite figure out how to do it..lol

Post by **lovemy04maxima** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

ok Grant, I am having trouble sleeping since I am still not sure I trust these people. I wanted to give you the rim size and tires so you can tell me for sure if this will work. They are going to put 18x8.5 with a offset of 34, will this be ok with the 245/45/18? This is going from 18x7 thats on there now with offset of 42

Post by **Grant@tirerack** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

The tire size will be fine of course. The largest wheel we have test fit without rubbing is an 8.5 with a 37mm offset. You'll be within 3mm so that should be fine. Just make sure it is a hub-centric wheel. The hole in the back of the wheel should fit snug on the nose of the hub without the lugs. Most wheels will use a centering ring to make it a snug fit. That is fine. You just don't want a wheel with a larger hole (center bore) than the hub. That will give you problems. I'm glad they are working this out for you! That's a relief!

Post by **AZhitman** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 7:48 am

Hey 04 - Where in AZ are you? I'd like to see the Max when you get it properly "shod". Welcome to the boards, glad you got your issue squared away!

problems with rims and tires

problems with rims and tires

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