snacl500

I just installed some 18" ASA AR1 wheels that I purchased from someone with a C230. The four wheels are 18X8 with 35mm offset. I have a 02 coupe and the tires are 225/40/18. After I installed the wheels I tried driving the car. When I put it in reverse/drive it makes a lot of clicking noise. The car only moves a few inches and does not drive. The noise seems to come from the rear axle. I am now going to remove the rear wheels and re-install the original wheels. I hope I did not break anything. Did I get the wrong wheel/tire combo? This is the setup listed on Tire Rack. I did check the parking brakes

havoc_vulture

What lug bolts are you using? Sounds like the typical bolts that are to long bit.

HitUpOlas

You need to grind your lug bolts or get shorter ones. Hope you didn't damage too much trying to drive?

snacl500

Update: I removed both rear tires and replaced them with the original wheels. The car is now fine. I was just going to ask about the lug bolt but havoc beat me to it. What size lug bolts should I use? I only have the original ones. Thanks!

snacl500

I also hope I did not damage anything. I only drove a few inches. Now I am going to look gheto with 18" up front and 16" in the rear. I think that should be OK to drive a few miles to a parts store.

bobinyelm

Take your old wheels and insert one of the lug bolts through and measure how far the threaded portion protrudes.

Do the same with the new wheels using your present lug bolts.

Then deduct the DIFFERENCE from your present lug bolts and see if you can buy a new shorter set of that length.

In other words, you want your NEW bolts to stick through your NEW wheels the same distance (or a couple mm less) than your OLD bolts stuck through your OLD wheels.

Do also make sure that the head pattern of the bolts matches your new wheels. Some wheels used cone-shaped bolt seats, while others use acorn (rounded) seats, You don't want those new wheels falling off at speed.

Bob

fookoo303

I wouldnt drive with the 18's up front and 16's out back. It may screw with your ESP if the actual combined diameter of wheel+tires are different.

Tri-Star

I had the same rim setup ... you def need to get new bolts. Go to a good performance shop. They will be able to make sure that your rims fit correctly with enough torque on the bolts.

Javvy

if you got it from tire rack then ask them to send you the correct bolts as they guranttee correct fiting bolts.....I did the same and got a set of rear bolts that made slight clicking nothing as worse as yours, but still asked for a newer set and they overnight it to me.......

That is the best part of ordering from tirerack.com......hope this helps......

javvy

snacl500

Ok I guess I am going to look for some new lug today. Otherwise I remove the fronts. Thanks for all the help!!!!

Tire rack does have some great Customer Service. Too bad I did not buy the wheels from them.

phister

Id hit up radusa, great cs and theyll usually help with getting the right lug bolts you need. Since theyre aftermarket make sure you get the acorn style lug bolts.