Hi everyone. I am a new GS300 owner. I have a tire fitment issue. I am rolling with a set of 18x9 wheels with a +24 offset the tire size is 235/40/18 with 1.4" lowering springs . I thought I has plenty of clearance....that was until yesterday. I blew the front tire when in came in contact with the upper control arm. Is this a normal issue? Will this set up not work for me? THanks in advance!

 

im running 225/35 on my 9.5, am slammed and have about 5mm of clearance. you should be fine on lowering springs.

do you have your fenders rolled?

 

No, I dont have the fenders rolled yet. But it appears that I was rubbing along the upper control arm (so inner part of the tire) and not the fender.

I plan to roll the rear fenders when I go up to 255/35 in the rear.

 

Thats strange. I run 18x9 +28 235/40/18 up front and no issues so far with a season of driving. Maybe you need a small spacer to clear the arm and then roll and pull your fenders.

 

interesting. are you sure thats what blew the tire?
up front i run 19X8.5 +30 on 225/35R19 and clear fine at full turn lock and i am pretty low on coilovers

 

That is how it looks to me. Unfortunately, my wife was driving it at the time. There was a groove on the inner edge of the tire and a spot the actually went all the way thru. After these responses...Im guessing that there must have been something else wrong. I will just try again! Thanks everyone for the responses!

 

I can't see that being the issue. I'm on 19x9 +25 on 235/35 I ride real low. And I always park aired down. Never had an issue. I'm actually going to 19x9.5 +18 upfront in a few weeks. I should still be fine. Just a roll on the fender and a stretch 225 should be good.

 

Is there rub marks on the upper control arms? If so, does the tire have the groove in it that the upper arm will cause it to have?

 

After looking....no, the upper control arm doesnt have any marks. However the tire does have a groove in it. I am starting to think that maybe my wife drove after blowing out the tire causing the groove to the inner part of the tire. I do appreciate the help on this guys.

 

always something after the wife "drives" it lol

 

perrychad1 you have no idea! She has driven the GS twice...and both times she has done something to it! The first time she forgot to close the door!!!! I came out in the morning to a dead battery. Second time out she blows out a tire. I think its safe to say I will have to keep her out of my GS.

 

seems to me liek she hit a pothole or ran over something that caused it to pop. like myself and others have said there should be no clearance issues with the offset you are running

 

Yea, I totally agree. Thanks! I appreciate all of the responses. I thought that might be the case.

 

Unless you have mondo-tall profile tires, it's basically impossible to have the tire hit the control arm - they move up and down as a unit. With a short tire like your 235/40-18 my guess is that you ran over a road hazard or the tires were worn out on the inside due to camber and one ultimately failed. Did you check the other front tire?

 

Yes, I did check the other front tire and it appears to be good. My guess is the tire failed and she drove on it causing the inside grooves.