Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my!

2074 Views 19 Replies 14 Participants Last post by m3nt0s, May 26, 2009

evilspoons

Discussion Starter · May 25, 2009

So. I'm the proud owner of a 2005 S60R with 18" pegs. These pegs have 235/40/ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (summer) tires fitted, with a 91Y rating and are about 50% worn.

I noticed some vibration in the steering wheel so I got my wheels rebalanced. All wheels now check out 100% on the balancer (they showed me in person) but vibration is still there, possibly even worse - however, they also showed me on the balancer that at least two of the tires are not perfectly round (very slight bulge in two of them). Seeing as I have NO other tires available, I put the bulged ones on the back and now I'm driving around in terror that this thing is gonna blow up on me or something. (This problem was not apparent at all when I got the car and seems to be gradually getting worse, but it could be my imagination).

I have contacted the previous owner through the dealership about whether they have an invoice for the tires, maybe there is some sort of warranty to be had.

Mostly though I am simply looking at new tires. Now: the other thing the Michelins do is rub like friggin' crazy. If I try to turn around in a cul-de-sac I can barely make it without driving up the curb. There are "rub plates" in the front wheel wells that actually have holes in the metal from all the rubbing (from the previous owner as well - I've only had the car for two weeks). I was told this may be because they're 91Y and not 95Y. I also suspect they may be wider due to that "rim protection" extra rubber, but I don't know if it extends inwards or just outwards.

The Michelin PS2s are WAY too expensive ($380 each) for me to get new ones, especially since I don't like the way they rub anyway.

1. Are 5mm spacers a good idea to solve the rubbing? Or are they a pain in the ass...? The only time I ever change tires is summer->winter and winter->summer.

2. I am looking to buy new tires, either BF Goodrich T/A KDW 235/40/ZR18 95Y or Toyo Proxes T1R 235/40/ZR18 95Y. I know the BFGs are noisy and neither has to perform in the winter save for freak snowstorms (in Edmonton) that catch me before the winters go on.

3. Can I/ should I get new rub plates? Take a look:

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1 - 20 of 20 Posts

vivek9856

· #2 · May 25, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (evilspoons)

Quote, originally posted by evilspoons »

91Y rating

Isn't that a bit low for a heavy Volvo?

Quote, originally posted by evilspoons »

The Michelin PS2s are WAY too expensive ($380 each) for me to get new ones, especially since I don't like the way they rub anyway.

$380? Seriously? From where? My 245 40R 18 Pilot Sport AS 93Y rating cost somewhere around $300 a piece. $380 seems a tad bit steep.

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JoshV70_

· #3 · May 25, 2009

You can install 5mm spacers to help cure that, however it might be slightly detrimental to your turning radius. Not sure why you are paying $380 a pop for PS2's...that is absurd for a street tire.

evilspoons

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 25, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (vivek9856)

Yep, $380 is my best price. Someone else had em for $440. Note this is Canadian dollars, so $380 would be about $340 for those in the 'States. Also - the AS seem to be cheaper than the PS2 for whatever reason.

Like I said though, I can get the BFG or Toyo for $250 ea - much less retarded pricing.

I was thinking the 91Y is a bit low too - again, looking for 95Y replacements.

I Roll

· #5 · May 25, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (vivek9856)

Quote, originally posted by vivek9856 »

Isn't that a bit low for a heavy Volvo?

Not for an S60 R when you are not loading it down with people and stuff.

I just replaced the PS2s on my R. Not knowing, I had the PS2s with the 91Y load rating and the NO desigation (Porsche). They rubbed, but nothing extreme. I can't say that I have had to make many U turns or turns under full lock. I had thought that the way the outer edge of the PS2 was rounded off that they would be easier on the rubbing than most tires.

soupandspoons

· #6 · May 25, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (evilspoons)

I've heard good things about the sumitomo HTRZ III, and you can get them shipped to you in Edmonton with taxes in for approx. $840 CAD from http://www.tiretrends.com

Cheers,

J

I Roll

· #7 · May 25, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (soupandspoons)

Quote, originally posted by soupandspoons »

I've heard good things about the sumitomo HTRZ III, and you can get them shipped to you in Edmonton with taxes in for approx. $840 CAD from http://www.tiretrends.com

Cheers,

J

Funny, that is what I replaced my PS2s with. Tire rack gives them decent reviews vs other tires in that price range. I don't expect them to be anywhere near as good as the PS2s, but I will live with their deficiencies for $110 a pop (USD).

jclough

· #8 · May 25, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (evilspoons)

Quote, originally posted by evilspoons »

The Michelin PS2s are WAY too expensive ($380 each) for me to get new ones, especially since I don't like the way they rub anyway.

I went through this when I was looking for winter tires. The cost in Edmonton was ridiculously high

, so I purchased from Tirerack.com and had them shipped to me. Even after shipping, currency conversion, and mounting I saved over $75 per tire.

The Michelin PS2s (95Y) are $267 US from Tirerack.com and you get a $60US prepaid Visa when you buy 4. Of course, you can also get the A/S version for $205/tire.... I personally will be replacing my summer tires with a good A/S tire when it's time.

I have a set of slightly used (~5000 miles) Pzeros that I might be willing to part with

. And I live in Edmonton to boot.

Jeff

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mjaffe

· #9 · May 25, 2009

I had the same problem, the metal plate was worn, I painted it and put on 5mm Spacers and all is well, I am happy with the results

George @ ViVA

· #10 · May 25, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (evilspoons)

This tire rubbing appears to be a common "feature" on many R's.

Quote, originally posted by evilspoons »

1. Are 5mm spacers a good idea to solve the rubbing? Or are they a pain in the ass...? The only time I ever change tires is summer->winter and winter->summer.

Wheel Spacers are an easy and inexpensive approach to eliminate rubbing. Note that 5mm spacers may be the cure, but some cars may require 10mm to completely eliminate rubbing, depending on severity. We stock 5mm, 10mm and 15mm Wheel Spacer Kits to cure this problem:

http://www.vivaperformance.com...id=48

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JRL

· #11 · May 25, 2009

Re: (JoshV70_)

On my 06 I just sold,
5mm spacers. Michelin PS all seasons, (235/40/18), LOWERED and NO RUBBING!
Turning radius is the same

xman03

· #12 · May 26, 2009

Re: (JoshV70_)

Quote, originally posted by JoshV70_ »

You can install 5mm spacers to help cure that, however it might be slightly detrimental to your turning radius. Not sure why you are paying $380 a pop for PS2's...that is absurd for a street tire.

Spacers will not increase the turning radius, in fact it will make it better since the tires are hitting the fender well before the steering stop. My turning radius got a LOT better after 5mm spacers and now only very slight rubbing at full turn.

tomedkaz

· #13 · May 26, 2009

5mm spacers have COMPLETELY eliminated my rubbing - they are highly recommended. I have 5MM spacers on all four wheels (to even out the look). It was $100 well spent

evilspoons

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 26, 2009

Re: (mjaffe)

Quote, originally posted by mjaffe »

I had the same problem, the metal plate was worn, I painted it and put on 5mm Spacers and all is well, I am happy with the results

Well, mine both have ragged holes in them. I should probably replace them - where can I find this part (passenger and driver side wheel well rub plates).

Also, for Viva Performance & customers: does the " VP-017606 M14x1.5 5mm Spacer Kit " come with the required extended lugs, or do they have to be ordered separately from lower down on the same page?

Thanks for all the information everyone!

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mjaffe

· #15 · May 26, 2009

Re: (evilspoons)

VP-017606 M14x1.5 5mm Spacer Kit

Wheel Spacer Kits Include:
Quantity two (2) wheel spacers with anodize coating
Quantity ten (10) extended wheel bolts with Zinc plating

This is just for one set....

chinaonnitrous1

· #16 · May 26, 2009

What if...

You made your 3 point turn and you heard the rubbing, you just backed off the steeringwheel a few degrees?

I'm sure your aware of the turning radius already. The harder you turn the wheel into the metal plate, isn't going to decrease your turning radius. Your simply straining the P/S system, and ruining your tires.

How is this such a huge issue to deal with?

The extra 2~5 degrees of you cramming the wheel at full lock isn't going to get you through that turn. Your gonna do a 23420 point turn, get over it.

Modified by chinaonnitrous1 at 10:18 PM 5-25-2009

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evilspoons

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 26, 2009

Re: (chinaonnitrous1)

Quote, originally posted by chinaonnitrous1 »

What if...

You made your 3 point turn and you heard the rubbing, you just backed off the steeringwheel a few degrees?

I'm sure your aware of the turning radius already. The harder you turn the wheel into the metal plate, isn't going to decrease your turning radius. Your simply straining the P/S system, and ruining your tires.

How is this such a huge issue to deal with?

The extra 2~5 degrees of you cramming the wheel at full lock isn't going to get you through that turn. Your gonna do a 23420 point turn, get over it.
Modified by chinaonnitrous1 at 10:18 PM 5-25-2009

I had a FWD S60 2.4i before this car, and I thought it was bad. I could turn around in the cul-de-sac my girlfriend's house is right next to if there was a single car parked out on the street. The S60R cannot make this turn without the horrible rubbing noise with NO cars parked. I am pretty sure a 40 foot bus could turn around with about the same effort as the S60R. This isn't just 2 degrees - this is like the entire last half turn of the steering wheel.

I read somewhere a standard S60 is supposed to have a 37 foot turning circle, and the S60R a 42.7 foot turning circle. According to Google Earth, this particular cul-de-sac is 65 feet and I have to drive along the curb because any sharper and the tires rub. This is completely unacceptable!!

At any rate, it's obviously not working the way it's supposed to and other members have fixed or slightly alleviated the problem. What's the big deal if I want to do it too?

Modified by evilspoons at 10:36 PM 5-25-2009

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PMPN8EZ

· #18 · May 26, 2009

Re: Tires, spacers, rubbing, oh my! (evilspoons)

Just adjust the bump stops.

chinaonnitrous1

· #19 · May 26, 2009

Re: (evilspoons)

Quote, originally posted by evilspoons »

I had a FWD S60 2.4i before this car, and I thought it was bad. I could turn around in the cul-de-sac my girlfriend's house is right next to if there was a single car parked out on the street. The S60R cannot make this turn without the horrible rubbing noise with NO cars parked. I am pretty sure a 40 foot bus could turn around with about the same effort as the S60R. This isn't just 2 degrees - this is like the entire last half turn of the steering wheel.

I read somewhere a standard S60 is supposed to have a 37 foot turning circle, and the S60R a 42.7 foot turning circle. According to Google Earth, this particular cul-de-sac is 65 feet. This is completely unacceptable!!

At any rate, it's obviously not working the way it's supposed to and other members have fixed or slightly alleviated the problem. What's the big deal if I want to do it too?

Well, its your car, so of course!

I guess its just something that i've ignored and dealt with. Being in SF, theres no such thing as a street that I can make a U-turn on.

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m3nt0s

· #20 · May 26, 2009

PS2's are great tires, I can't fault anyone for putting them on their car, regardless of the price tag.

Spacers should do the trick.

And your wheel wells look the same as mine...nice and...polished

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