juliantrost

What's up boys and girls?
I was wondering if someone could point me in a right direction. I have a 2003 TL and just got new rims for it. I went with 245X55X17 in the rear and 235X55X17 in the front. The rims look really good, but the rears rub on occasion. Not all the time but at least twice in a 5-mile drive.
Someone recommended CompTech springs but I am not sure if it will help, any thoughts?
I haven't done anything to them, just put them on.

TL_99

Those tire sizes are just way too big for the TL, they're over 2 inches larger than stock overall diameter
it's lucky that u only rub once in a while,
i am personally looking for 235/40 18's all around, but still haven't decided since i am afraid of the rear to rub
if u drop ur car, i think it would rub even worst
consider returning them if u can cux those wheel affects ur speedo and might screw up ur gear ratio, cux the gear ratio of the tl ain't design to handle such hugh tire sizes

juliantrost

TL_99. thanks. Do you think 235 45 17 will be OK. I want to switch tires on this rims. What do you think? Thanks for the input.

WiLz

225/45/17 or 215/50/17 are wut people usually go with

juliantrost

One more thing, I do not rub on the inside of the tire, just the top. I think on bumps or pot holes, the edge of the molding touches the top if the tire. I can actually see the rubber coming off.

Lawaia

What is the width and offset of your new wheels? You may want to reconsider lowering your ride if you're rubbing now on stock springs.

sparky57

All FWD designs like the TL/CL are inherent understeerers. Are you aware that putting larger tires on the rear only make that situation worse?

I guess it depends upon what you are looking to do. Improving handling it will not. For that matter, I wonder if most of the guys with the 19" and 20" wheels understand that they are trading away horsepower for the "cool" look. One only has to look at racing's premier series like F1, IRL, or CART. F1 uses 13" wheels while the other two run on 15s. They would lose races with those huge wheels.

rw

SilverUA5

I don't think you should of went with different sizes between the front and rear. The TL is a FWD car and you should just keep them all the same, it will also make tire rotation much easier. The 245/55 is just way too big and I'm sure it's somewhat sticking out of the fender? Maybe you should consider going with 225 at most just to be on the safe side as far as ABS and speedo goes.

TopGum

I think your sizes are way out of line. A 245/55/17 is 8.4% too big. A LARGE difference. The 235/55/17 is 6.7% too big. So when your speedo is reading 60 mph with the fronts, you are actually going 64 mph. I have 235/40/18's and the Eibach ProKit and I had to do some moderate trimming of the rear plastic. I think you are just too big. I also agree with the FWD comments. With CT springs, I am afraid your fender will be sitting on the tire


With the right offset (+50 to +55) I think you can run 245/40/18 after trimming the rear plastic even with a drop. A 225/35/19 is also possible. A 235/35/19 is EXACTLY the same diameter as stock. Since you are pushing the envelope at bit, you might also consider coilovers. They will give you some wiggle room to find the right ride height.

juliantrost

Thanks for all the comments. I went with 235/45/17 all around and the car is fine now.

is300eater

When I got my 19"s I knew exactly what I was getting myself into (thanks to the guys in this site)... and yeah, I felt a little lost of power, but ya know what? My car looks pretty damn cool!!! I get compliments all the time. I don't regret it for a minute... As for the guy that started this tread... having the the off sizes WAS not a good idea, I have to agree.

Oh, and going back to the issue of losing power? There comes a point where you have to decide... either have "plain" looking wheels and keep all the power... or Having your car look different from all the other people's TL but losing some power... Big deal!!!

It's not that I go out there and race people everyday, but I seem to be (still) a little faster than most other cars (and still better looking wheels). I'm happy

TL_99

i was looking to go with 235/40/18 sumitomo htr+ and motegi mr7
however, here in canada, there ain't a distributor for the sumitomo's, so now i'm looking at some falken ziex ze 512's,

how r the falkens? i am mostly concern with treadwear, performance wise it does not really matter that much

sparky57

Good. Based upon discussions on this board and others, it seems other folks don't understand the concept of rotational inertia. Others will pay a thousand dollars for headers to add the horsepower you have just thrown away.

FWIW, I use 225/55 Bridgestone Potenza RE-950s on the stock 16 inchers. They look just fine by me. If I'm looking for compliments, I drive the other set of wheels anyway.




rw