EyeKutr

iTrader: (5)

I am getting close to new tires for my car....I am on 245 45 18s....I am annoyed that I rub sometimes....I know oem is 245 40 18.....does anyone have 235 45 18s ...are you rubbing at all?

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

where are you rubbing at?

EyeKutr

iTrader: (5)

mike
the 245 45s are about 3% over in diameter I think and rub when the wheel is turned about 20 degrees to the left (rubs in the back of the left wheel well), same in the right side
Also when backing up, I hear a funny noise as if something is catching...quite annoying
What I do like is the fact that my speedo is dead on with the larger tires, ride is a bit more comfortable....

dunnojack

time to buy a cheap $20 heat gun and reshape the wheel well

solves your problem and lets you keep the thicker wheels.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

Turn the front wheels full and see if you can see or feel where its rubbing. There is 2 spots I bet you are just barely rubbing and you can heat it and form it so you wont rub. I did that on my last Lexus to have larger tires on it and it took away my issue. I will see if I have any pics of the 2 spots. In the rear only thing to watch for is that black trim that goes around the wheel well. I thought it was rubber and had my tire catch it before I had the rears shaved and almost had it puncture my tire. I was on the expressway and hit a dip and was so lucky that nothing happened. Its 4 screws to remove it if you want to try that and see if that works for the rear.

You can run that 235/45 and I would bet that would eliminate any rubbing. If you like the 245/45 I would see if you can find where its rubbing and just correct it without having to get crazy.


here is one pic I found of the front. I only rubbed here backing out of my driveway and it was minor. This is where it will rub when the wheel is fully turned in either direction.


I dont see any other pics...The other part on the front there is a lower portion that is flat and kind of looks like it sticks out farther (other side of wheel well from pic above). I would catch that. The spot I drew on above and that spot I heated and just pushed them both in and never had any rubbing again. It heats up quick and doesnt take a lot. Easy thing for you to do in your garage.

Hope that helps out.

EyeKutr

iTrader: (5)

DJ and Mike
thanks for the suggestion, I actually did the heat gun thing....the rub is actually in the rear part of the wheel well, the plastic was easily pliable and has stayed "melted" but there is still a rub...my best guess is that 235 45 should not rub

dunnojack

you can't mold it any further?

235/45 probably wouldn't rub, as it is narrower. but that's an odd size, and i'd think that the tires would be more expensive.

i'd try to heat the whole area and push it out further

EyeKutr

iTrader: (5)

There is actually something behind the plastic, it is even a bit of a challenge to melt it in since you heat and push and it "bottoms out" on something back there and backs out a small amount. The part that needs to be pressed in is actually right where there is a section that meets a "hump" in the plastic in the back of the wheel well.

As for tires, I have had great luck with the general exclaim UHP, very good tires. Price is about same for 235 45 and 245 40.....I am considering the 245 40 since I wont have to worry about it....I guess I have lived with 245 45 so whatever....LOL

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

If you are rubbing when you are bottoming out then I bet its the clip/tab area where the bumper is held on. Both of my cars did that in the rear. Only other place in the rear I have rubbed was that area behind the felt and rominl had a nice wright up about that area in his thread about shaving or rolling fenders. I cant imagine anything else in the rear that you can rub on even with your + size tire.

dunnojack

i think we have one of the smallest diameter tires of any car with 18" wheels.