Installed Michelin Pilot A/S! Yikes, that's close!

[fotodad]

I finally got the Michelin Pilot A/S installed on my 04 Solara. But i have a concern. I spoke to the tire dealer about it and I spoke to my Toyota dealership about it and both told me not to worry. But I want to go the extra mile and see what you folks think.

After I picked up the car and drove it home, I had a chance to look more closely at the tires. This is when I noticed there is very little room between the tire and shock assembly on the back tires. See this link for a picture.

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fotodad1958/lst?.dir=/Michelin+Pilot

Since the "so-called" experts say I shouldn't worry, should I still? The factory tires are 215/55-17. The Michelins that I had installed are 225/55-17. I checked some tire-sizing websites and all basically showed that the two tires are almost identical in size. I wish I remembered how close the factory tires came to this assembly. I will be rating the Michelins on a different thread. Please give me your thoughts: "Don't worry about it." Or, "Don't drive that car until you get a smaller tire on that car!!"

Thanks!

[slingshot]

Go through some bumpy, pot-holed roads and see how it handles. That's the true test of whether you don't have to worry about it I guess.

[fotodad]

Go through some bumpy, pot-holed roads and see how it handles. That's the true test of whether you don't have to worry about it I guess.

Slingshot,

I have gone over some bumpy roads and not noticed any unusual sounds or abnormal car movements. I also had my wife jump on the trunk (with the trunk door open) while I watched the area in question, and it never got closer or hit the tire. So I guess I'm good to go??!!

With that distance being so close it's tough top have peace of mind.

[Mole]

by going from that size to the next, you should have nothing to worry about.

[slingshot]

I have gone over some bumpy roads and not noticed any unusual sounds or abnormal car movements. I also had my wife jump on the trunk (with the trunk door open) while I watched the area in question, and it never got closer or hit the tire. So I guess I'm good to go??!![/quote]

Jumping on the trunk in a new car? Wow, that's some extensive tests. Sure sounds like you are good to go for sure. Let us know how the new tires compare to the originals in road noise at highway speeds, drivability in the rain, and handling.

[Yanks0114]

You have nothing to worry about. You will not rub with that tire size

[fotodad]

Thanks everyone for putting my mind at ease. It's always nice to get the opinion of people who I can trust to be honest, unbiased, and not have a hidden agenda.

I'll definitely provide a review of the tires once I've put some miles on them.

[cdssolara]

I agree with Yanks. You shouldn't have anything to worry about. Since you didn't change the wheel, you didn't move it closer to the strut. Therefore, the tire is only closer to the strut by half the difference between the old and new tire widths. In your case, that's only 5 mm, which is almost nothing. I know that 225's don't cause any problems on Gen 1 Solaras, as I use that width. Relax, and enjoy your new tires!

[impactX]

That's the strut assembly and tire will NEVER touch it if it's not touching now.

Also, when the tires start to show some wear, there will be a bigger space.

[Shoe]

forget pictures of the tire i wanna see pictures of your wife jumping in / on the trunk

im just picturing your neighbours saying to them selfs what is he up to now?

shoe

[fotodad]

forget pictures of the tire i wanna see pictures of your wife jumping in / on the trunk

im just picturing your neighbours saying to them selfs what is he up to now?

shoe

My stomach still hurts from laughing!!

The only problem is that's the only "jumping" she's been doin' lately...if ya get my drift!

[slingshot]

[quote="fotodad The only problem is that's the only "jumping" she's been doin' lately...if ya get my drift![/quote]

Maybe that's because your new love is your car! Pay attention to her more and she'll be jumping again.
Just kidding....

[slingshot]

[quote="fotodad The only problem is that's the only "jumping" she's been doin' lately...if ya get my drift![/quote]

Maybe that's because your new love is your car! Pay attention to her more and she'll be jumping again.
Just kidding....

[Guest]

I finally got the Michelin Pilot A/S installed on my 04 Solara. But i have a concern. I spoke to the tire dealer about it and I spoke to my Toyota dealership about it and both told me not to worry. But I want to go the extra mile and see what you folks think.

After I picked up the car and drove it home, I had a chance to look more closely at the tires. This is when I noticed there is very little room between the tire and shock assembly on the back tires. See this link for a picture.

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fotodad1958/lst?.dir=/Michelin+Pilot

Since the "so-called" experts say I shouldn't worry, should I still? The factory tires are 215/55-17. The Michelins that I had installed are 225/55-17. I checked some tire-sizing websites and all basically showed that the two tires are almost identical in size. I wish I remembered how close the factory tires came to this assembly. I will be rating the Michelins on a different thread. Please give me your thoughts: "Don't worry about it." Or, "Don't drive that car until you get a smaller tire on that car!!"

Thanks!

I tried to have that same tire mounted today at Tire Rack on my SE Sport, and they do not fit. They rub heavily on spring seat. The only explanation is that the SE Sport suspension is slightly different, but don't get these tires if you have an SE Sport.

[Hammerli]

I finally got the Michelin Pilot A/S installed on my 04 Solara. But i have a concern. I spoke to the tire dealer about it and I spoke to my Toyota dealership about it and both told me not to worry. But I want to go the extra mile and see what you folks think.

After I picked up the car and drove it home, I had a chance to look more closely at the tires. This is when I noticed there is very little room between the tire and shock assembly on the back tires. See this link for a picture.

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fotodad1958/lst?.dir=/Michelin+Pilot

Since the "so-called" experts say I shouldn't worry, should I still? The factory tires are 215/55-17. The Michelins that I had installed are 225/55-17. I checked some tire-sizing websites and all basically showed that the two tires are almost identical in size. I wish I remembered how close the factory tires came to this assembly. I will be rating the Michelins on a different thread. Please give me your thoughts: "Don't worry about it." Or, "Don't drive that car until you get a smaller tire on that car!!"

Thanks!

Are you sure the size is not 225/50/17? That size is virtually identical to stock, while the size you say you have, 225/55/17 is nearly a full inch larger diameter, which would explain why a 225/55 rubbed on my car. I really hope you have the 225/50, since I think those are one of the best choices for a summer tire on some IS300 rims.