Vibrating Rims Revisited

by **2002greenhornet** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:35 pm

I did a poll recently asking about whether guys' aftermarket rims rolled as good as stock. Nearly half that responded said "no," citing vibration problems at higher speeds. Well, I finally got the problem solved on my car, and was thinking that maybe some of you would be interested. I'll try to make this long story short. I'm leaving out a lot of details, but here goes.

After sending the rims back twice (5Zigen 18x7.5" RX-6, first with Nittos, then with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s), when I got them back the third time they still vibrated unacceptably (to me) above 60mph. I had noticed--and told them before--that the hub centering rings seemed not to fit as tightly as they should. The first time around, the guy told me that couldn't be the problem. He was wrong. After two sets of metal rings like that, another guy said "could be" and sent me some high-strength plastic ones that fit much better--actually snapping tightly into the back of the wheel. Bingo. Problem solved. No vibration at all. Yay! Funny thing is that both of them had the same numbers--73.0 x 60.1--stamped on them. The metal ones were just poorly made, I guess.

So if you've got vibration problems and you know your balance job is the best it can be, try getting different types of rings and you just might fix it. By the way, the guys at DiscountTireDirect.com did all this at NO COST to me, including all the shipping back and forth. They were nothing short of fantastic, and were even willing to take back tires and rims that had been mounted and driven on if I wasn't satisfied! Amazing. Of course, I was never irate and always diplomatic, which they said makes a difference to them. If I was a dick about it, they probably would have told me to take a hike.

Bottom line--my car now rolls perfectly at all speeds. :multi:

by **jazzlara** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:43 pm

Way to not stop until the problem was fixed...I recently bought konig wheels with some conntinental tires wrapped around them. Driving above 65 was terrible...the wheel would shimmy back and forth and got really annoying. The handling was not there one bit, so after three trips to discound tire, balancing, rotating...the whole 9 the guy test drove it with me and decided to give me 4 kumho tires instead at no upgraded charge. So far so good....on the freeway i do feel it shimmy a little but not like it was...maybe i should try the new hub rings??

Also i heard that solaras arent cabable of camber adjustment other than buying a kit, so could this be a potential problem after installing aftermarket rims?

Discount tire personal are very helpful, i give em' an A+ in customer satisfaction.

by **2002greenhornet** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:54 pm

jazz,

You shouldn't need to align the car after changing rims. If you lower the car (I have Tokico/Tein setup like a lot of guys on here) there is enough camber adjustment available. Camber kit is not needed. Might depend on how much you lower it, though. My understanding is that there is Camber and Toe adjustment, but no Caster adjustment on the Solara.

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:59 pm

That sounds right. At any rate, even with the more aggressive tires it does pull to either side from time to time, but goin 115+ on I90...the handling is great...

I should have the tokico/eibach or tein set up in less than a month. Its gonna be nice right? I have a buddy that ownes a shop and will do the labor for a couple cases of beer...so i figure its a good deal. Will these $$struts last for a while, as long as OEM anyway? I hate wasting money but tend to do it all the time...tryin to change my pattern.

by **2002greenhornet** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 7:22 pm

No reason they shouldn't last. I love it. Be prepared for a stiffer ride. You will get much more road feedback--bumps, cracks, road imperfections will all be much more noticeable. Kiss the cushy stock ride goodbye, but say hello to greatly improved handling. No more squat when you take off and wallowing like a boat in corners. I highly recommend adding the TRD Swaybar, too. Does your buddy know that he's going to have to pretty much take out the whole interior in the back to get to the top rear strut mounts?

If you are experiencing pulling, you could have a "radial pull," meaning an imperfection in a radial band in a tire causes the car to push or pull one way or the other. Try switching your front tires to the back and see if it quits.

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 7:27 pm

dont think its radial pull, i believe the conntinentals had that problem, but they got switched out. It seems like it only "shimmies" on certain roads on my daily driving pattern. usually going around 70mph and with a sloped road..

As far as struts and springs go I am aware of the stiffer ride and will welcome the improved handling and apperance... I just want them to last and to get my monies worth...

I need your opinion...whiteline or trd RSB? I dont believe there is much of price difference

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 7:30 pm

by the way, is there anywhere that i can pick up a package deal (struts, springs, sway bar). save on shipping and overall cost? just wondering

by **2002greenhornet** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 7:53 pm

I don't claim to be an expert. I've heard some say TRD and some say Whiteline is better. Do a search and you'll probably find a lot of posts that will be helpful.

I got my struts and springs both on Ebay, including shipping the prices were:

Struts - $349 Tokico HP Blues
Springs - $164 Tein S-Tech

The TRD Sway bar was $154 shipped from toyotaparts4u.com

I've never seen a package deal that includes RSB, but that doesn't mean they're not available.

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 8:49 pm

thanks for the input. I found similar if not infact the same products on ebay. Ill probably just do that. ill let ya know how it turns out. thanks again.

by **MalBandito99** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 12:56 pm

Yeah I got my plastic (looks like carbon fiber color almost) hubcentric rings from http://www.prestigewheel.com/ a few days after I got my wheels put on. I would get a mad steering wheel/whole car vibration from 55 and worse on up. I would just stay at 45 all the time. Put those rings on, cranked it to 95 on the way home, it was SOOO smooth.

I really think this is a must-item for any one who puts on aftermarket rings, even though alot do not do so.

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 9:42 am

hey buddy, thanks for the link. i think thats the problem with my ride. ever since the new shoes, it vibrates badley on the freeway......unless im goin over a buck ten.....which by the way is very fun..hehe

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 9:51 am

ok, i found the hub ring page, now...which ones are they!!! i have a 2000 solara sle, or does it depend on the rim size. please help!!!

http://www.prestigewheel.com/RetailHubRings.asp

by **MalBandito99** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 12:19 pm

It depends on the bore size of your wheels. Go to this page and select Toyota : http://www.prestigewheel.com/HubRingsbyMake.asp. Solara is same as Camry, so that means youre looking for a 60.06 inner bore diameter ring. The outer will, again, depend on the size your wheel is. Get that from the manufacturer if you dont know it.

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 12:32 pm

excellent info. thanks again.

http://user.mc.net/~brad · by **jazzlara** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 12:35 pm

do you mean 66.06 or 60.06, i only see 66.06. thakns

Vibrating Rims Revisited

Vibrating Rims Revisited

good to hear

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