- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 5,294
So I ditched the stock 16" steel wheels with vinyl wheel covers as well as the Bridgestone Dueler 687's that came on the Forester. In October I bought new 17" alloy wheel rims in the correct OE offset and width and new all season's. Bought rims and tires from different vendors due to the Nokian tires I wanted not being available from where I bought the rims (tirerack). Had local shop do the install. I've been driving on the combo since late October and I think they're broken in enough to take it back for a do-over on the balancing. Mainly due to minor but noticeable (to Mister OCD... me) vibration at interstate speeds. They used clip-ons on the inner rim and stick-ons for the inside of the wheel towards the front. I can't be 100% sure the vibes I'm feeling aren't just the stiffer tires transmitting more road surface irregularities than the stock tires. The stock tires were 96 load index whereas the Nokians are 103 load index with XL reinforced sidewalls-- this on a Subaru Forester which is a relatively light vehicle for these tires (Nokian WRG2SUV). But the shop offers free re-balance for the life of the mount, so I'm going to have them check the balance anyhow. Tire pressure adjust doesn't seem to effect the vibes, is why it makes me think it might be balance related. Plus its very busy shop and I think they might not have spent the time to do the best precision balance job that could have been done.