TL Dustin

Hey everyone,

I read on a post here that the 2004 A-spec wheel is 18x8.5 and the 2005 is 18x8. Can anyone confirm this??? My dealership just curbed my A-spec wheel and I want to make sure I get the right size replacement.

PoochaKannInc

Yep. 04 was 8.5 and 05-06 are 8.0.

xtin

was it rosenthal? they curbed mine too! they will fix it, not replace it more than likely

subinf

Yes they are different sizes, though I've heard the part number is the same.

TL Dustin

thanks, it was norris acura in ellicott city. I wouldn't suggest anybody go there b/c there service dept. is slow and poorly managed.

CAHobbs

subinf is right! The fact that the part number stayed the same is what caused my grief.

I had an accident about 2 years age and the left side rims were replaced along with a bunch of other work.

Drove my local service adviser crazy all this time because the car didn't feel right. He tried alignments, tire re-balancing, suspension repair recheck and even different tires nothing seem to help.

Two months ago I took it to Comptech to look at the RSB and have the camber kit installed and guess what.... I get this call from them asking if there was a reason I was running two different size Aspec rims. Two years with the wrong rims on the left side, Sh*T!!. Comptech put the narrower rims on the front of the car (We know, should have put them on the rear), but all I can say is, What a difference! The TL tracks tighter and four wheel drifts clean!

According to another forum, it turns out the rim size was changed about mid the summer of 04 and even the dealers were not aware of this change.

My insurance company has reopen the accident case and the shop that did the repairs is working with Acura to acquire the correct rims (18x8.5). Since our TL was registered as Aspec when the Aspec option was first released, in early 04 they are using the VIN verifying that the original rims were indeed 8.5 wide. I just hope they’re able to find a set!

BTW, the 8.0 rim won't cause any problems unless you run tires larger that 245s then the narrower rims may cause the tires faces to bow out, increasing the overall diameter and causing a similar wear condition as over inflated tires. Again, if the narrower rims are at one end or the other you won’t feel the affect, but side to side is a no-no unless as Comptech said, doing NASCAR!Right...

My thanks to Comptech for catching a problem that eluded everyone else and making our TL fun again!!

Happy motoring!!

CAHobbs

TL Dustin, if you want to verify the rim size you have, remove one of your wheels and look at the backside. There you will find the size cast on the back of one of the spokes. it will either be 18x8.5 or 18x8.

Good luck!

subinf

I'm right thanks to you telling me about the change at the premeet.

CAHobbs

I'll tell ya... getting old sucks! Can't remember sh*t if you know what I mean.

BTW... who are you??? Just kidding!

TL Dustin

Hey... thanks everyone for the reply! I went to the dealer today and they ordered me a replacement A-spec wheel after I laid the law down to them.