MdMaxDrvr

I just put on some 2002SE wheels on my 98 max. I love the way it looks and it rides fine, the only thing that seems odd (not bad I guess) is that I feel the road imperfections more. To some extent, I knew I would, my problem is that if there are ruts in the road, my car now seems to REALLY want to get in the ruts. My steering wheel will pull to whatever side when the pavement is uneven. It just seems more noticable now that the bigger wheels are on but I don't know why.

Does anyone else have this? Is it just normal and I'm paranoid?

waveridr85

iTrader: (4)

get used to it,

high tire presure
low profiles
stiffer struts
stiffer springs

will all make you feel the road imperfections more

MdMaxDrvr

Its not really the imperfections as far as pebbles in the road or the like, but that my steering wheel likes to go with the flow of the road more. Is that still normal? If so, fine, I can deal with it. Just trying to make sure.

Thanks

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

It's the tires. What kind of tires did you have on your old wheels and your new wheels. Directional tires follow road ruts much moreso than normal tires.

Bull Jive

iTrader: (3)

unless it's pulling hard to one way or the other, it sounds normal. if you think you might need an alignment then you should go get it checked out before your tires begin to wear unevenly. i feel more than my share of bumps and grooves in the road....but you get used to it.

GMT_MAX

iTrader: (1)

I noticed the same thing when I put new wheels / tires on a couple months ago. An alignment couldn't hurt, but I doubt it'll make the feeling go away. I'm just accepting that that's the way it is. (And the better handling is well worth it I think.)
GMT

Kanaka

iTrader: (4)

are your new tires bigger than your old tires? wider and directional tires will track the road more than skinnier tires. with my 255's i follow every groove in the road, but with the stock tires it flies through everything.

darrick

yeap ,tires ,alighment

ch13f

Yeah, it's normal, I get the same thing

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

Not only that, but your car probably runs slower, too. That's the price you pay for up sizing your wheels. It'll handle cornering better, but your 0-60 and 1/4 time will increase.

I think 18s look fantastic on the 4th and 5th gen, but I just dont want to pay the performance penalty on them.

DW

MdMaxDrvr

Thanks for all the responses! I had 16" rims with stock size (215/60?) with Goodyears. Now I have the 17" 02 SE rims with stock Bridgestone's on it. On an even road its straight, it only pulls when the road is uneven.

And yes, I noticed the slow take off but I can deal with it for the looks, I'll put my 16's back on for the track. I ran a 16.02 totally stock with the heavy 17" rims so I'm hoping to break 15's with my y-pipe and 16's back on.

Big_Ham

iTrader: (1)

I read the whole thread and didn't see anyone mention this ... the common (and apropriate) name for this phenominon is 'bump-steer'. Less sidewall means there is less air cushioning you from the road and when your wheel hits a bump, you wlil experience more 'bump steer' the smaller your sidewall. Another reason it is very important for me to get 245/40/18's instead of 235/40/18's. Not THAT much more sidewall, but every bit can help.