Tire break-in or a problem? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

sdrone · 10-22-2009, 01:17 PM

I'm a little nervous today. I decided to get new wheels when I got new tires for my 2007 Camry LE v6. I bought Lexus IS250 wheels of Craigslist; they are 17x8 wheels, and are pictured in the OEM Lexus Wheel thread. I got the recommended 235/50R17 tires: Kumho Ecsta ASX's. This is the first time I've ever put different/larger wheels on a car.

got 'em installed yesterday at Discount Tire. Drove home, no issues. it was probably 10 miles. 1/3 streets, 2/3 highway doing about 70 mph. Only thing I heard was a slight "knockknock" noise as I did a 90% turn near my house (low speed).

Out of paranoia, I check last night to be sure the wheel isn't rubbing when turning all the way left and right.

This morning I drove down the street, turned on to a bigger street and hit 40 mph or so and there was a LOUD "KNOCKKNOCKKNOCK". handling seemed ok, car didn't seem to be shaking. I went back around a few blocks driving slowly, hearing the noise the hole time. PUlled into the garage. Looked around, nothing hitting or anything. Tighted all the lug nuts.

Left again, drove under the speed limit. The noise seems to increase in frequency as I drive faster. I don't really feel hard vibrations. The car handles OK.

My drive to work is probably 15 or 20 miles. Half the time on expressway (doing say 50mph today due to rain/congestion) and half the time on Chicago city streets. The noise improved (did not hear it all the time, was not as loud) but I still heard it even as I was pulling into the parking garage.

I've never heard a tire/car do this....

1. Any guesses as to what this is? Is it some kind of flatspotting problem that will go away as the tire "wears in?"
2. Is there anything special I need to do to keep these lugnuts tight? The old steel wheel used the acorn lugnuts (or self-tightening as my dad called them). The new wheel uses the "mag" lugnuts (there's some other name as well but I can't remember it) with a washer to hold the wheel on.

The car does handle firmer now, but obviously this has me worried.

glenn14 · 10-22-2009, 03:50 PM

I am no expert on wheels and tires like some of the other people on here, who may chime in later, but I would go back to discount tire to have them check everything out. Maybe even take one of the techs out for a ride to see what this problem may be. You may need spacers or other adjustments etc.

Glenn

workerant · 10-22-2009, 03:52 PM

Balancing problem?

***TrailDust*** · 10-22-2009, 04:07 PM

Are you certain the bolt pattern with the new wheels is correct? That could account for knocking sounds.

sdrone · 10-22-2009, 04:35 PM

They are supposed to be 5x114.3. I did not specifically measure that.

It was bad enough coming home that I may do that. It's odd that it only seems to be happening on the front, but it's hard to tell.

I'd have called Discount Tire already, but I ahd to come home early and watch 2 kids. Not a good day to be having tire problems. Heh.

sdrone · 10-22-2009, 04:37 PM

I also need to run tests tonight -couldn't run them on the way home. I haven't been able to hear the sounds OUTSIDE the car, though on the way home I could feel vibrations more in the steering wheel than I could on the way to work. I'm gonna try running up and down the street with my head handing out of the car.

sdrone · 10-22-2009, 09:30 PM

This may sound dumb, but I think the problem may be the lug nuts. I bought them from Autozone. I actually think they do not fit tightly in the "lug hole" in the wheel.

I did not know it before today, but I see in this thread that Toyota OEMs shank lug nuts. Lexus IS250/IS350 18" Wheels on Black Gen6 (56k)

I work closer to home tomorrow, so driving won't be too horrible. I'm going to call the dealership early in the morning and see if they have 5 or 10 of these in stock.

***darksparkz*** · 10-22-2009, 10:03 PM

Does it sound like tires flapping on the ground?

Definetely bring it back and have them look at it, maybe the weights are loose and are flapping?

LE05 · 10-22-2009, 10:04 PM

if the lug nuts are not correct, you could very well get a lot of knocking noises. I would just go ahead and order all 20 from the dealership if you do not have the correct ones.

oh, also check out this thread (similar issue): Which are the correct lug nuts?
the part number for the lug nuts is there if you need it.

sdrone · 10-22-2009, 11:02 PM

Thank you; I have NO idea why I didn't see that before. The part number is helpful, and someone even mentions that the Toyota/Lexus bore hole is a bit large.

sdrone · 10-23-2009, 08:25 AM

Holy mother of god. Toyota wants $6/each for these.

10-23-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdrone

Holy mother of god. Toyota wants $6/each for these.

I bought a set of 20 from my local toyota parts dept for $1.53/each. you just need to ask the parts manager to cut you a deal on them.

sdrone · 10-23-2009, 10:35 AM

Heh. I did. The only guy there was some 25 year old youngster. Ok, well, youngster to me. I was denied!

LE05 · 10-23-2009, 07:23 PM

if you haven't already bought them, try here: www.toyotapartsales.com

$2.43 each.

sdrone · 10-26-2009, 11:05 AM

Fyi, the new lug nuts fixed the problem.

A close examination shows a slight cone shape on the lug nut hole on the wheel. The mag nuts I bought at Autozone are flat on the bottom. The mag nuts from Toyota have the slight cone shape.

You can tell a difference as soon as you put a Toyota lug nut on. It feels like you can tighten it to a point and then you're done - it's tight.

With the Autozone lug nuts, it never felt completely tight. It always felt like you could tighten it a bit more.

Now I just gotta add a torque wrench to the Christmas list.