Loaded question for a tire pro.

Wheel and tire information and upgrade discussions
Post Reply
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Loaded question for a tire pro.

Post by Mavrik »

I installed Kumho 711 P215/45R17 tires on my Vibe. The tires were set at about 40psi in each tire. What I am noticing is ripples in the body of my Vibe (see Problem and Warranty Complaints/I have dents ) A few opinions are floating around that my car was a victim of vandals or stress on the body. One tech mentioned to me if I had changed the suspension to make it stiffer, changing the flex points and after he said that I thought of my tires.I went out and they were still all right around/above 40psi so I changed them ALL down to the Vibe recommended 32psi. Does anyone think I might have been a victim of my own folly here? I was prepared to pay for the dents to be removed anyway but I'm thinking of trying to prevent a reoccurance.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
savedbyzero
Posts: 1066
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2002 7:15 am

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (Mavrik)

Post by savedbyzero »

I really can't see that that would cuase ripples in your body. I would think you would have to apply quite abit of stress to do something like that. Simply having too much air in your tires shouldn't cause that much stress, especially on stock springs.
THIS IS WHAT I DO...http://www.studiothisis.com
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (savedbyzero)

Post by AKLGT »

like i've said before, you don't drive your car very hard, especially around corners or what not. hard to believe that you would have caused those to happen. i know i push mine maybe more than i should, and no stress marks that i can see other than the ones from my ditch dive this march. but yes, seems wierd that they are on the same spots on each side of the car.... no scratches or otherwise. clueless on this one. sorry.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (savedbyzero)

Post by Mavrik »

Even with close to 44PSI in one of the tires?Well that makes me feel a little better if you or others think thats the case... you will see the ripples at the meet... I'll be going over every Vibe there looking for dents hah cause I'm starting my own case.It HAS to be a stress issue... just how I can prove it...
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
savedbyzero
Posts: 1066
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2002 7:15 am

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (Mavrik)

Post by savedbyzero »

Maybe a dumb question, but have you ever had any type of roof rack installed on your car?
THIS IS WHAT I DO...http://www.studiothisis.com
Mr. Poopypants
Posts: 3428
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 11:59 pm

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (Mavrik)

Post by Mr. Poopypants »

I wouldn't think that tires and/or pressure would do it. That kind of damage can't be just from that.
A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (silverawd26)

Post by Mavrik »

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Phil, this problem did not occur until it got warm out right?I wonder if it has to do with the heat and the metal shrinking/warping. I think your on to something, started with this warm/cold weather we have been having lately.No I have not had anything on the roof other then the racks that came with the car.Now I looked at the 05 again today before leaving cause a fellow was putting a stone guard on the front of my car and parked it there... Guess what? it has faint ripples to and one noticable one and it hasn't even been driven yet. The shop foreman who mentioned the idea that it might be warping was out there looking at both the cars when I was headed home and pointed that out to me.So if it seems like I am fondling all the Vibes this weekend, I'm actually looking for dents and will be taking a load of pics with my digital camera.Problem is if GM does decide to actually do something about this... whats the fix?
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
savedbyzero
Posts: 1066
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2002 7:15 am

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (Mavrik)

Post by savedbyzero »

This indeed is strange. I would think that GM would extensively check things like that, but hey, stranger things have happened! Like Ford Pinto Bombs in the 70's! We all make mistakes!
THIS IS WHAT I DO...http://www.studiothisis.com
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (Mavrik)

Post by AKLGT »

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »So if it seems like I am fondling all the Vibes this weekend, I'm actually looking for dents and will be taking a load of pics with my digital camera.awww... and i thot it was just gonna be me. LOLhmm. we've been having some extraordinarily HOT weather after cold and so forth. i will have to carefully examine mine too... see what's up.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
savedbyzero
Posts: 1066
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2002 7:15 am

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (trdvibe)

Post by savedbyzero »

This is getting me all sketched out! I'm gonna go check my car now! *cross fingers*Wish me luck!
THIS IS WHAT I DO...http://www.studiothisis.com
ragingfish
Posts: 11022
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 8:23 am

Post by ragingfish »

I'm not gonna check mine cause I'm out of warranty, and if there IS a problem, I won't be able to address it without paying...Ignorance is bliss.
YES!I still visit GenVibe periodically. I have not forgotten about my "original" family over here!

2009 PONTIAC G8
3.6L V6 (256 HP @ 6300 rpm, 248 ft-lbs. @ 2100 rpm)
savedbyzero
Posts: 1066
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2002 7:15 am

Re: (ragingfish)

Post by savedbyzero »

OK, I'm good. No dents. SSHHHEEEWWW! Keep us posted. This is really strange. I'm still betting on kids.
THIS IS WHAT I DO...http://www.studiothisis.com
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: (savedbyzero)

Post by Mavrik »

But those kids didn't hit the 05 Vibe straight off the truck and it has a ripple to already...
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
kostby
Posts: 2422
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 2:52 pm

Re: (Mavrik)

Post by kostby »

I bought mine used (factory 16" alloy wheels). It has a couple of minor dents that look a lot like the ones in your pics, but they are together in curve of the right front fender, aproximately centered above the wheel opening. I figured the previous owner just leaned against it. You can check it out Saturday at the meet.
Image

My 2003 Vibe Base Auto 2-tone Salsa "SalsaWagon" was built in May 2002. I acquired it in Feb 2004/Traded it in on a 2016 Honda HR-V in Feb 2018.
MJN2
Posts: 372
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2002 9:53 pm

Re: (kostby)

Post by MJN2 »

I've got something similar on the right front fender of mine. Center of the dent appears to be behind the cladding.Weird.
Two-tone Neptune GT w/17" OEM rims, Nav System, BOMZ short ram, Sabresport STB
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: (silverawd26)

Post by Mavrik »

well I will be going over all the Vibes at the meet and gathering info that way. But like the battery, stone chips and rattles polls, here we go.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: (silverawd26)

Post by Mavrik »

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Yeah... Make sure you point it out to anyone who works for GM who will be at the meet. thats plan #1
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
ebslopp
Posts: 676
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:22 am

Re: (Mavrik)

Post by ebslopp »

just out of curiosity, why are you running your tires at 44 psi when it's recommended to run 36 psi? Is it because of aftermarket recommendations?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2004 Base - TwoTone Neptune - 5 speed There are 10 types of people in life. There are those who understand binary and those who do not.
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: (ebslopp)

Post by AKLGT »

i don't think he checked them when he got them installed. just that the tech asked about suspension or springs and that popped into her head.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
ragingfish
Posts: 11022
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 8:23 am

Re: (ebslopp)

Post by ragingfish »

Quote, originally posted by ebslopp »just out of curiosity, why are you running your tires at 44 psi when it's recommended to run 36 psi? Is it because of aftermarket recommendations?Actually, manufacturer recommended pressure is 32.I've bene running mine at 32 since delivery day, not a problem yet.
YES!I still visit GenVibe periodically. I have not forgotten about my "original" family over here!

2009 PONTIAC G8
3.6L V6 (256 HP @ 6300 rpm, 248 ft-lbs. @ 2100 rpm)
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: (ragingfish)

Post by AKLGT »

i believe all my tires are at 32 or 35 psi.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
cohocarl
Posts: 1478
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2002 9:45 am

Re: Loaded question for a tire pro. (Mavrik)

Post by cohocarl »

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Now I looked at the 05 again today before leaving cause a fellow was putting a stone guard on the front of my car and parked it there... Guess what? it has faint ripples to and one noticable one and it hasn't even been driven yet.Are these "dents" in the exact same location on the effected vibes? Just wondering if it was due to improper clamping of body panels during assembly. If that's the case, the dents would be in the same locations on each Vibe.The sheet metal on our new cars are extremely thin, and can be dented real, real easily though.
Sold 6/16/04 03 Vibe 5-speed, Hotchkis Sway Bars & Springs, Hooker Aerochamber, Panasonic Stereo, Hitch, Silverstars,04 Saturn Vue 2.2L Ecotec, 5-speed, 01 Stratus R/T Coupe 5-speed (wife's car) 85 Corvette 268 CompCam, 882 heads, FlatTops, 24lb injectors, Hooker Aerochamber true duals, 58mm TB, Holley AFPR, Siamesed intake base, Polished TPI.
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: (trdvibe)

Post by Mavrik »

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »i don't think he checked them when he got them installed. just that the tech asked about suspension or springs and that popped into her head.No I never checked the tire pressure when I installed them but that was back in april.But last I checked Hope, I'm not a "her"
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: (Mavrik)

Post by AKLGT »

sorry... i was typing and packing, and chatting... LOL and i know you are not a HER.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: (silverawd26)

Post by Mavrik »

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »I thought you both had that cleared up? It couldn't have been more obvious
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
Post Reply