New Wheels, Vibrations

I ordered some new wheels online (Quantum Tek 106, 18" w/ 245/45/18 Nexen N3000 tires)...they came shipped mounted and balanced. I put them on for the first time and they had a pretty bad vibration. I took them into a wheel shop and got them all rebalanced again. They're much better now, but I can still feel a SLIGHT vibration coming from all 4 tires (feel it in the seat and the steering wheel). The bolt pattern is 114.3 and I'm not sure if I need a hubcentric ring, or whether the ring will even correct the problem. I have yet to measure the hub/wheel to see how much clearance there is. Does anyone know the size of the stock hub? I can't find Quantum Tek's website to find the wheel's bore size. I included pics, maybe someone can spot if there's enough clearance to need rings? It's a bit hard to tell.

Thanks.



http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/Crunkmethods/DSC00216.jpghttp://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/Crunkmethods/DSC00218.jpg

What are you looking for the wheel bolt pattern or offset? GP hubs are 115mm X 5 on bolt pattern. Wheel offset will vary with the maker of the aftermarket wheels. You can use a range of 35mm-45mm of wheel offset on a '97-'03 GP. Without proper offset your wheels would be contacting the calipers so that may not be the issue.

IMO the problem you are experiencing is common if you decide to use the 114.3 X 5 bolt pattern (Mustang) and universal type aftermarket wheels. Although I know of people that had no issues on a conversion I don't think they used the wheels with the multiple pattern bolt holes. You are better off using wheels made specifically for 115 X 5 only and not of the universal type.

Also, you may need an alignment check because wheel alignment may change when running 18" wheels, mainly camber settings.

I agree with Bob. From your pictures, it looks like the studs aren't exactly centered in the rim holes (it looks like they were installed before in the now open set of holes which clearly were way off center by the marks on the rim) and you will probably never get these wheels to run 100% true on your car.

I was at work today and took a 0.050" gauge block to the space between the wheel's bore and the hub. It would fit in one side but not the size 180* to it. To me this looks like an off-center issue. Judging only by estimates and how it fit, it looks to be off maybe 0.015" or more from center, which seems to be enough to cause a vibration. I called the company I got the wheels from, supposedly they're going to send out some hub-centric rings. I guess I see if it goes away when I get them...

I agree with Bob. From your pictures, it looks like the studs aren't exactly centered in the rim holes (it looks like they were installed before in the now open set of holes which clearly were way off center by the marks on the rim) and you will probably never get these wheels to run 100% true on your car.

They look to be mounted before because I had mounted them there on the first go. I didn't know which holes were which...one is 114.3 and the other is 112...that's why they look out of center, the lug nut was rubbing on the outer part of the circle due to the wrong bolt pattern. I put them on the wrong ones first and had TERRIBLE vibrations. It got better when I got it on the right bolt pattern, and better with another balance. Again, hopefully the rings will solve the issue.

IMO the reason why you have the issue is because of the 114.3 bolt pattern of the wheels not because they really need the hub centric rings. Remember that is .7 mm off at each wheel stud compared to stock. If you had gone with 115mm X 5 you probably would not have an issue. There are too many variances in aftermarket wheels no matter what brand. I have American Racing Casino 18" inch wheels but in 115 X 5 and alternate around 100mm and I don't need the hub centric rings nor do I have any wheel shimmy or vibrations even up to above 120 mph or more. With GoodYear Eagle RSA tires in P245/45/18. See link below for better explanation of what hub centric rings really do and conditions for needing them.

Click here (http://www.justforwheels.com/index.jsp?cat=hubcentric&sub=how)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/my_gtp_11.jpg

Yeah...I've checked how the hub centric rings work. It's only in my optimistic hope that adding the rings will allow a more hub centric fit rather than a lug centric fit...therefore eliminating the variance of the center of the wheel vs. the center of the hub. If that doesn't clear it up I'll have to give up hope. And for the record, I wish the website I ordered from clarified the bolt pattern on the wheels I was ordering. It is one the matches "ones that fit" and apparently since the mustang pattern and the GM pattern are so close, it just gave those as options. I was under the assumption they wouldn't try to sell you wheels in the wrong bolt pattern, but I assumed wrong...

Go figure...