IS200 wheels changed making the car roll about?

BrakingBad · February 14, 2017

Hey guys,

First off, apologies if this is in the wrong area.

I recently hit an enormous pothole and damaged 2 of my IS200's aero pack 18" wheels 225/40ZR18 and replaced with Lexus 17" wheels 215/45ZR17.

Since doing this the body roll going around corners makes me feel seasick. Also driving around 70 if I move from one lane to the other just correcting any movement makes it feel like it will begin sliding down the road at any minute. I noticed the tyres are different widths after I put them on but didn't think it would make this much difference.

Am I missing something? Have I done something seriously wrong? I know this is probably something simple to you guys but I'm not really great with cars.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

NemesisUK · February 14, 2017

Do you mean you only changed two of the wheel to 17"?

J Henderson · February 14, 2017

Also, are the tyres fully-inflated? Steering response etc will definitely be inferior to the 18" setup, but what you're describing sounds abnormal!

steveledzep · February 14, 2017

The IS250 has wider tyres on the rear, not sure about IS200. Sounds like you may have a front and a rear if the tyres are different widths ?

BrakingBad · February 14, 2017

The 18s were already on the car. The new set have been inflated with nitrogen. I changed all 4 wheels. There are 2 new tyres on the back and 2 tyres with good tread on the fronts. I don't understand what's going on. Would the tyres not being as wide be a cause?

J Henderson · February 14, 2017

There shouldn't really be that much of a difference with 10mm narrower tyres, or by downsizing to 17" wheels in general. Of course they will feel a little different, but you certainly shouldn't feel seasick!

What brand are the tyres? Are they matching pairs on each axle etc?

Farqui · February 14, 2017

Check your tyres pressures are as per the cold setting on the b-pillar.

New tyres are also covered in release agent and will need a while to scrub in.

BrakingBad · February 14, 2017

54 minutes ago, Kodiak Sky said:

There shouldn't really be that much of a difference with 10mm narrower tyres, or by downsizing to 17" wheels in general. Of course they will feel a little different, but you certainly shouldn't feel seasick!

What brand are the tyres? Are they matching pairs on each axle etc?

Nexen on the back (new) and Pirelli on the front.

30 minutes ago, Farqui said:

Check your tyres pressures are as per the cold setting on the b-pillar.

New tyres are also covered in release agent and will need a while to scrub in.

Would the release agent cause body roll though?

Farqui · February 14, 2017

No but low tyre pressues will add more roll.

steve2006 · February 14, 2017

Have you also checked for further damage to the suspension besides the 2 damaged wheels?

Dinho · February 14, 2017

I would check if any arms have been bent due to hitting the pothole causing steering to not be true. I have this issue at the moment but I can control the car at all speeds. Take it for laser tracking. Make sure all tyres have the same amount of air in. It's always best to use matching tyres too.

wildpolish · February 14, 2017

Hi,

Have you checked suspension for damage?

If you wouldn't have new tyres that would be first place to look for but in this case you can have some suspension related issue.

BrakingBad · February 15, 2017

Hey guys. Thanks for the replies.

When the pothole damage was originally seen to I called the AA out and they inspected the suspension, track rods, etc.

The tyre pressures are fine.

There is no pull, no vibration, and this has only changed since I replaced the 18's for 17's. The AA guy managed to get the wheel back somewhere near and hold pressure on the least affected wheel and I had a full size spare so I drove it for another 3 weeks after the pothole and it went down again. On the 18's even after the pothole strike I had no problems that I'm having now. The wheels I've got now were inspected and have no damage (bit rough with the lacquer peel, but not really relevant).

Is there any chance that the tracking is out? Like the rake of the wheels in regard to the road, maybe the toe in-out?