Last week I purchased a new set of tires and wheels for my gen 5 3.0. They are 20" MSR wheels and Nexxen3000 245/35/20 tires. Although they look great, there is a vibration they cant seem to fix. At first it was a balancing issue at 70 it would vibrate pretty bad. I brought it back and watched them re-balance all 4 wheels to 0.00.(there were some out by .75) The vibration is better but still exists. It seems to come and go at times...? It was vibrating VERY little prior to the install as the previous tires were in bad shape (cupped) and didn't match.

My question is: Is there something else I should be checking for the vibration?
Or did the new wheels just amplify a different problem?

The car is a 2001 with only 44,000 miles on it. I recently inherited it from my wife's grandparents so I know the mileage is true. I don't know how to post a photo or I would have... Thank you all for your help. No where better to go then to the experts..

 

http://forums.maxima.org/feedback-su...s-replies.html

 

You might have has bas struts before and with the smaller (assuming factory 16's) you has a smoother ride because you had a lot more rubber to soften the bumps. With bigger wheels and thin rubber you will always get a less comfortable ride.

You may need to get your struts inspected. It is highly unlikely that your springs are bad because of they were, your car would basically drop from that side.

Also side note, the Nexen N3000 is a good tire but the tread will wear out quicker then some others, for example Michelin's. Paying a slight bit more will give you longer life of the tires and a better ride.

Good Luck.

 

Yes, it had factory 16's. I understand about ride smoothness, it does ride "harder" but that was to be expected with this set up. Its the vibration that bothers me and I need to fix. Is it likely that a 44,000 mile car that had never seen over 55MPH to have bad struts?

Also, thank you for the picture post instructions!

 

You still have the stock wheels? Easiest diagnosis would be to put the stocks back on and see if it still does it. If it does, the problem is in your suspension.

 

No, I do not have the stock wheels. It had a slight vibration, but the garage told me it was due to the crappy unmatching tires. He wasnt a tire dealer so I believed him. Any other suggestions?

 

Swap the wheels front to back or side to side and see if it makes any difference in the vibration.

 

Ur wheel might be bent I had a slight vibration with my previous set up changed the wheel is it was gone, but like 02pearlmax said swap the front wheels to the back and see what happens

 

They did that when they rebalanced the wheels. It got a little better but still there. Instead of the vibration happening at 70-75MPH it now vibrates at 60-65MPH. And the strange thing is you can feel it coming on...then it happens...then fades away for a little bit

 

Did they balance them on a Roadforce Balancer?

 

Might want to get your axles checked also, that was my problem was on 20s at the time also 245/35s, they said it was my suspension got new struts and springs still there took it to another mechanic and he said my axles were toast, mine would happen like 65-75mph over that it would go away....GL Man...

 

This...

Also, did they check the rim runout? An out of round wheel will cause vibrations. Mismatched tires will also do that. Worn steering and suspension components will also.

 

^ That as well.

 

Don't know the type of balancer they used... It didn't get the wheel going very fast....

Not sure what rim runout is, but they did say that everything looked OK. The tires are brand new so they shouldn't be mismatched should they?

Even though the car only has 44,000 miles on it, I will get the suspension and axles checked. Anything specific I should have them look for?

And thanks again for everyones input. I really appreciate the feedback and will keep you posted. I will be traveling all week and can't get the car checked until next week.

 

holy luke skywalker

 

Whats up? Why that response?

 

OK, so I learn what a road force balance is and get one done. $85 later, it did not help at all. But he did say there was a rediculous amount of sticky weights all over the inside of the wheel and fixed it so there were much less and hidden behind the spokes.......They said there was some re-adjusting to tires and where they were mounted on the rims, but when all said and done, there was no change in the vibration. This mechanic talked about my rims not being "hub centric"? He suggested I contact the rim manufacturer and order the hub-rings so they will be perfectly centered on the axle. Would something this simple fix the vibration?
Do these have to be ordered from the manufacturer or can you pick them up in an auto parts store?

 

You're still having problems?

Time to find a different set of wheels. And did you get the rim runout checked?

 

Because your car now looks lifted with those huge wheels... Talk about ground clearance! Next step is some H-Techs at the very least or coilovers!

 

That's not good. That's one reason why I suggested having the rim runout checked. And reputable tire shop will do this. If a wheel is out of round, it will cause a vibration, and if there were that many wheel weights stuck to the wheels there is a problem.

You should have hubcentric rings, yes, but as I said before about the wheel weights, you should look for another set of wheels.

I had a female friend of mine a few years ago put chrome 20's on her Altima. She had nothing but problems with them and finally got rid of them and got different wheels. Problem solved.

 

Not having hubcentric rings or proper rims with the right center can cause a lot of issues, not the least of which is vibration. This could be exactly the root cause of the problem.

LMAO^^ Looks brutal.

You've also got the wrong sized tires on there, but they're not that far off. 1/2" of lift going on right there.

 

get the hubcentric rings! also make sure the mating surface of the rim and lugs are correct ( sinking lug nut compaired to a flat washer style. are you using stock lugs or a proper aftermarket lug designed for that rim? i ask because what u may be experiencing is play in the rims at high speeds because the lug nuts arent correct and there is no ring on the hub which removes the play in the rim , at high speeds the rim is moving around on the lugs. BUT even if they werent wobbly, u NEED the rings, without them the weight of your car is sitting on the lugs! u need the rings to take the weight of them.

 

Finally got the manufacturer to send me the rings....they sent the wrong ones!! Now I must wait for the next set and get them installed to see if this is the fix.

What sucks is that I really wanted ALL black wheels and settled for these. Anyone know of a good deal on all black wheels? Or even a suggestion of an all black wheel?

 

http://www.nlmotoring.com/Custom-Rim...heels-s/20.htm

 

http://www.nlmotoring.com/XXR-530-wh...p/53079542.htm

http://www.nlmotoring.com/XXR-530-wh.../53079542n.htm

http://www.nlmotoring.com/XXR-521-Wh...p/52180142.htm

 

Black wheels = Ghay.

 

i would have went with 22's but thats just me

 

22's?.....I got laughed at for putting 20's!!!!

 

Check out the rear struts and ball joints too. With only 44k they should be fine, but it a place to start.

 

44k is one thing, an 11 year old car is another.