TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys, I just got some A SPEC wheels (gunmetal ones)

and the tires seem to be too big? I know there 18" but there near my rear bumper and very close to car while I am not dropped at all. Is this normal? I'm not sure if this sounds noobish or not but I've never had a problem before with the stock 17". Everytime I hit a bump or a imperfection on the road it makes a noise, basically the tire hitting on some part of my car.

Just want to make sure its normal or if I installed the tires wrong (hard to believe but a possibility) and if I should bring it to Discount Tire or tire shop.

Thanks!

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

The sound is all coming from the rear tires.

ifirahse

iTrader: (6)

What size are the tires?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully, no larger than 245/40-18

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

the size of tires I believe are: 245/45-18

ifirahse

iTrader: (6)

They're bigger than what you should've gotten, but not big enough to create any rubbing problems, especially if you aren't dropped.

Is it all 4 corners that are rubbing against something, or just the rears? My guess is that the rear tires are rubbing against the rear a-spec lip, something that can be remedied by trimming a little bit off of the lip.

luiscon14

The correct tire size is 235/40 18

Here is a useful link to calculate tire sizes.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Those tires are 1.3" inches longer in diameter and about half an inch wide. I think that's enough to rub if you hit a high bump or if you carry a lot of weight in your trunk or people in the back seats. I wont suggest anyone use bigger tires for what the car was designed because it is designed to perform well with those specs. For example the A-Spec suspenssion drops your car 3/4" and gives you twice the handling, imagine what would a 3/4" rise do to your handling. Also the wider the tires the more friction you get with the road and that means more gas for less miles in the long term.

Regards
Luis.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Just a FYI- Although they are 1.3" taller, that only equates to .65" radius. That means the tire is only @5/8" larger than the 235/45-17 at any given point from the hub center. Shouldn't be a problem as I have about 2" clearance from the tire (245/45-17) to the qtr. panel/rear bumper.

luiscon14

Yes, but TheChamp531 said his tires are: 245/45-"18" and that adds 1/2" to the radius. I know that's not big deal but that's something.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the responses.

The rear tires are the problem on my rear driver tire I can't put a finger in between the tire and bumper but the passenger tire I can. Both tires do rub but the driver rear does the most. I dunno it's so close even if its width is more but not by much.

Bearcat94

Get the right tire size. But also, the tire/wheel should be centered in the wheel well. If the tire is only too close to the rear bumper, there's another problem.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Also I shouldve posted this first but I do have my stock wheels and tires all 4 in the trunk and back seat. I will see how it drives once it has been taken out. But I wouldn't think they make such a huge difference.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

If you review the response, you'll see that I stated it added about .65” to the radius when compared to OE specs: 235/45-17 (25.32”) 245/45-18 (26.68”)=1.36” difference in diameter or actually .68” radius. Should be plenty of room.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Just an update but once I took out the tires everything changed a little. There was more "room". Small bumps didn't make any sound anymore, but I still get it occasionally but not as bad. Hopefully it is ok!

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

They are A spec wheels and not an aftermarket 18", correct?
Sitting on level ground, how much clearance do you have around the tire, between the tire and body?
Even with the slightly larger OD tires, there should be enough clearance unless there is something wrong, or has been changed in the suspension. I can put my body weight in the trunk area and the car barely drops down and still has plenty of clearance around the tire.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

You shouldn't be having a problem with that size undropped. Nonetheless remember that the second number in the tire size is the aspect ratio. (It is not size in mm like the first number) Because it is a ratio remember that a 245/45 tire will have a higher sidewall than a 235/45 tire. And remember that 235/40 is what is recommended.

I hate cars

A-spec improves the dynamics and the numbers by roughly 10% over stock. It's not so much the lowering but the higher spring and shock rates. While raising the car higher than stock is not something you want to do, it's not going to kill the handling either.

conester

The problem is the tires are rubbing on your rear aspec where it fastens to the rear bumper just behind the tires. I am also running 245/45/18's on teh 04 aspec rims. The day I installed the tires, they rubbed on the aspec bumper where I mentioned above. I trimmed off some of the lip on the aspec bumper and they are fine now. I can have a huge load in the trunk and still be ok. No rubbing at all. I also rolled the rear fenders just in case, but I don't think you need to do that because it is just hitting behind the tire when you have a large suspension movement. Just trim it and you'll be fine. I haven't had a problem after I did that for 5 months now.

Brian

AD-TL04

Im also about to buy the 04 gunmetal a-specs with a 255/40/18 tire size do you think ill have any problems rubbing? btw the car is stock height and does not have the a-spec kit installed