madmanmax3000

Friday I got new wheels and tires; Enkei EKM3 in Hyper Silver with Falken FK-452s. The wheels are 18x7.5 with a +45 offset, and the tires are 235/40/18. I am lowered on the Koni/Comptech setup on the middle perch.

The back clears fine, but the front rubs when I go over dips in the road or big rounded speedbumps. I am worried that I am going to damage the car, tire, or worse...myself.

I chose the 235 because I thought it would be a softer ride than the 225, and also would be closer to stock overall diameter. Should I just bring my car back to the shop and make him exchange the tires for 225? My old tires were 225 and they were relatively harsh. These 235 tires feel like a dream, but it could just be because they are twice as expensive. Do you think that I will be disappointed with my tires if I go back to 225? It's not too late yet.

Please advise me!

For what its worth the new setup looks amazing!



Also a shameless plug, buy my old RonJon Inspyres:
https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/fs-price-lowered-18-chrome-inspyres-w-tires-%24799-728517/

Luded

Hmmm I have almost the same size rim 18x7.5 42offset with a 235/40/18 tire, but on A-Spec suspension, and I don't rub. Your car is a lower than mine so that's the reason for the rubbing. I'd suggest you have your front fenders rolled. It might cost more than just swapping the tires but you'll have created room in the front fender if you ever change your wheels to a lower offset.

I don't think you'll damage your car if it's only rubbing on bumps but I know that it can be annoying. I'd get the fenders rolled but others might say the 225 tire will look better with your drop.

I went with the 235 tire to keep the same size as the stock tire. This way the speedo and VSA wouldn't be affected.

OoKrnBoi0331oO

...? 235 is the width of the tire...not the height. Am I mistaken? So how would the 235=same as the stock. Unless you are referring to the aspect ratio in relation to the width haha.

To OP:
Great looking rims, maybe a lip kit will make it look even better. Any more shots of it?

madmanmax3000

These tires are brand new and the shop did a "fitment check" that they guaranteed so I can absolutely exchange them. I've already spent too much, I'm not going to spend more on rolling my fenders and I've heard that's not particularly good for the car either. So is my only option here to get the 225 tires? Will they be as harsh as my old ones or is it reasonable to think that the harshness would vary from one tire to the next?


Thanks for the compliment KrnBoi. I'm not interested in a lip kit because I feel the TSX already looks too thick from top to bottom.

JoeC1982

iTrader: (1)

what about raising the perch on your front struts?

madmanmax3000

Not out of the question, though quite honestly I'm not sure how much I would need to raise them to avoid rubbing and how the car would look afterward. However, I have been thinking of raising them regardless, maybe now is the time to do it

Does anybody know of a good DIY that could show me how to raise the perch? I had these installed 4 years ago and I completely forget how to mess with them.

icemiko

iTrader: (2)

I have 18x8 +45 with 225/40/18, 1 finger gap all around and I don't rub at all, it's your tires... so you can either get them to exchange it to 225 or raise your car higher?

madmanmax3000

What is the ride quality difference between 225 and 235, that is what I need to know to make this an educated decision.

I love the way it feels now and I don't want to do anything to mess it up.

sortudo7

The difference will be extremely minimal to where you may not even notice. Both are good sizes for a comfy ride imho. 235 may be a bit softer/quieter but then again it depends on what you like and are used to. I have to problem with 225 or 235's.

tsxpress18

I just got 18x7.5 ADR Battle-EXE's with 225/40/18 Yokohama YK520's and the ride is smooth and quiet on those tires (but I'm still at stock height). You can feel bumps a little more than you do with the stock wheels/tires but that always happens with a smaller tire wall. I don't think it's all that bad though. I say switch to 225's and see the difference for yourself. The difference in tire wall height is 0.157 inches (4 millimeters), so I'm sure the ride won't feel that different. The wider tire will just give you a little more grip.

TSX420J

I'm on some 18x7.5 wheels that are not worth mentioning and 225 40 18 tires
lowered with koni nuespeed sport combo 1 perch down in front and 2 down
in the rear. No rubbing ever...

madmanmax3000

Yesterday I went over to the shop where I had the wheels/tires mounted. He thinks that it is rubbing ever so slightly on the retaining clips for the wheelwell trim. He rubbed tire crayon on several spots in the wheel well and we are going to see where it gets rubbed off.

JoeC I may go the route you suggested, it seems my suspension is on the lowest perch, if it is just a matter of a few millimeters I may raise it up one if it will end my clearance problems.

CJams

Mine use to rub with 235/35/19s lowered about 2.5" on Tein SS coils. I eliminated the rub by adding a Front Strut Tower Bar and a Rear Sway Bar. It got rid of the body roll that allowed the rubbing in corners. Unfortunately the rubbing destroyed the inner fender liner before I fixed the problem. Not sure if you will have the same luck with such a large offset. My offset was 40mil.

madmanmax3000

Okay so here's the deal...

I went to the shop again today and we looked at where the rubbing had worn away the tire crayon. It is a tiny line about 3" long by .25" wide at the highest point of the fender liner closest to the painted part of the fender.

So now, my options are to switch to a 225 tire at the shop's cost

-or-

Pay 3 hours labor to get my shocks raised a perch

-or-

other remedy? (this is where you guys come in)


Any suggestions?

S power

Just go with 225 , you only lose less than half an inch of tread width. It's not like you REALLY need the extra traction. But on the bright side, you get better handling. Sidewall doesn't flex out as much. And its free !!

JoeC1982

iTrader: (1)

3 hours is ridicuolous, but you may need a new alignment after raising the perch too. just go for the 225's.

ZildJonKim

after getting new tires, u'll need an alignment change anyways.

Kris05TSX

Stick with the 235 as its the correct plus size for the tsx, but try a different brand. Each manufacturer's tire in the same given size will vary in width due to rim protector designs (My father owns a tire shop, and I know this from experience).

I myself am running Hankook Ventus RS2's in 235/40/18, and for the price, it's a great tire. This tire is also on the narrower side in this size.

Good Luck!

wong05tsx

iTrader: (6)

3 hours to raise a perch? you can DIY in less than 30 minutes - although your alignment may be ever so slightly off

Have you bent your fender liner tabs up yet? That gives a good 1/2" of clearance.

Audioserf

235 should only be used on an 8" wide wheel, in my opinion. You should have picked a 225 tire.

madmanmax3000

Well whatever my solution is going to be I need to let the shop know today because I need to exchange the tires before they have too many miles on them.

Wong, do you know of a DIY thread or can you point me toward some instructions for raising the perch? I've searched and can't find anything.

Also, what are you talking about bending the fender liner tabs up?

Audioserf I picked the 235 because it matched the OD of the factory tire. I understand it's a bit wide for the rim.

So am I keeping the 235s and trying to modify the fender well in some way, or going with 225s? Also, any reason that nobody has suggested 215/45/18 tires?

TodaSi

Dude, roll your fenders, or take a rubber mallet and tap on the area it rubs on so as to push it slightly up.
You can even use your hands and with your fingers inside the wheelwell where the tire rubs squeeze up and in.
But really, fender roll it and call it done!

madmanmax3000

Thanks Toda but that's really not enough information for me to do this properly.

Can somebody please post up some better instructions or maybe some pictures? These tires are going to come off the car tomorrow unless I figure out a way to stop the rubbing!

Audioserf

Maybe do some googling for fender rolling service in your area... maybe craigslist, etc. There's a proper tool to be used to do the job correctly, and if you find someone who's done it before (with that tool, and a heatgun to warm up the area prior to rolling to avoid paint cracking) it's worth paying them a few bucks to get a quality roll.

Now, all that being said -- I'm surprised you're rubbing at all. How much of a drop is the Koni/Comptech setup? I'm dropped 2.5" all around on Tein SS coilovers, running an 18x8+48 wheel on 235/40/18 and I don't rub at all...

madmanmax3000

Thanks for the info on rolling, I may go down that route if I have to, but I really feel like I shouldn't have to.

I think maybe it's the FK452s. I really don't see why I am rubbing either, my drop is not that aggressive. It is only rubbing when I am going straight and drive over a long dip, not when my wheel is turned and not on manholes/potholes. The area rubbing is right at the top of the fender, not the front or back, just a 3" strip of plastic at the top that rubs.

The shop wants my car back today if I am going to swap to 225s. What should I do? Is it worth trying a different brand? Will all 235 series tires be exactly the same width?

TSX420J

Yes, go back and get the right size.. it might be a little harsher ride but you will not rub.

madmanmax3000

Hmm so 225 ride will be harsher? That's unfortunate but if I'm rubbing and fender rolling might damage the car it looks like my only choice.

215/45 isn't a good idea? Will I have equal problems with that on a lowered car?

TSX420J

Not too sure on how much harsher but you did say you had that setup before and it was harsh. I was going by what you had said.

TodaSi

Okay, sorry I wasn't more informative on the fender rolling Audioserf gave some great info. This is the tool to do it properly...
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...&keyword=31158

As for the 225's being more harsh, umm no
the 225's and 235's are the same make and should have the same sidewall construction so they should ride the same, I doubt you will be able to tell a difference.

I run 235/40/18 Hankook Ventus V12 evo tires but my new rims are +48 offset, I ran 235/40/18 Kumho SPT's on rims with an offset of +42 without issue
Running A-Spec suspension so not much of a drop.

Anyway, good luck!

n1ke5h

I ordered a hyper silver set in 18x8/+40 offset. We'll see if I rub when I go to pick the car up tomorrow, but I plan on raising my a car a little anyway. I've been sitting low on Tein Basics for a while, but all the plastic underbody was just replaced...figured I'd better raise it before it all gets scraped back off again. I'll have my Falken Ziex Ze-912 in 225/40-18 mounted from my previous rims. The 225 over the 235 has been fine for me since I've had them. I've hit plenty of huge, unavoidable potholes with them on some of these stupid Texas roads and did not damage my wheels.

This will be my fourth set of wheels (including stock). I went from stock to 19" TSW Kyalami's (discontinued) which 4 of 6 were destroyed by potholes, then back to stocks which 1 was damaged by a random curb in a dark parking lot, then to 18" 5zigen SC3000's (discontinued) which 1 was damaged by a minor accident involving my rear quarter panel and wheel, then finally to these Enkei's. I've had bad luck with wheels, but hopefully this will be it.

On a side note: If anyone knows where I could find 1 or 2 18x7.5/+43 offset 5zigen SC3000 in Hyper Black...I would love you forever! I spent a week calling everywhere looking for one and couldn't find a single one, so I ended up having to buy a new set of rims. If I can find just 1 rim, I'll have the full set again Unless anyone wants to buy the 3 off of me...

n1ke5h

I got them on and have been driving the car since yesterday with no major rubbing. My offset is lower than I wanted because the +45 18x7.5s were on backorder, but these definitely do work well. I should probably raise the car up, but I haven't done so yet. There is not much room between the tire and the fender on the front and back since the offset is low. The wheels are pretty flush though and the spokes actually curve out a little bit further, but it doesn't look bad at all. Very satisfied with the wheels and color though, I'm glad I went with the hyper silver instead of the hyper black...the wheels do seem like what other manufacturers would call hyper black.

EuRo-R NoOb562

i just bought new wheels and i dont have any ideas on wat size tires to get... my rims setup is 18x8.5 and my offset is +32 i kno its aggressive and i like but im wondering if my fender will rub? will i need a rear camber kit? and i love the the stretch tire style too! help a brother out please...