New 18" Sport rims with new tires... Questions...

gaugeguru · #1 (**permalink**) 05-27-08, 11:46 PM

Hello all,

I have an '04 CTS sport which came with the 17" sport wheels with 225/50/R17.
I bought and installed the sport wheels off of the '06 / '07 Sport Appearance package with tires at 225/50R18.

Are my new rims too big for my car to the extent that I should worry about rubbing / clearance issues?

I know these wheels fit on the '06 CTS but they were not really designed to go on my '04 CTS. The overall wheel diameter is bigger by 1" meaning my car is sitting 0.5" higher than before. Is this also the case with the '06 CTS? Do they sit higher too? Or are the springs shorter on the '06 to bring the ride back down by 0.5" to compensate?

honey-ham · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-08, 12:27 AM

I promise you it will not rub...that's not enough of a change to cause your wheels to rub. As far as how the vehicle sits, I wouldn't worry about it either. As long as you're happy with the way it looks, that's all that matters. If you think it sits too high, drop it. I promise you it still won't rub even with lowering springs. It'll look a lot nicer and handle a lot better too!

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gaugeguru · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-08, 12:48 AM

Thanks for your feedback,

This exact wheel & tire combo is on the '06 / '07 sport model. I really don't think GM would have made a different fender for this model to accommodate a bigger wheel.

Are you serious that I could lower my car even with this tire setup? I have the load leveling suspension (FE3) and I've heard that this is quite involved.

yomommas · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-08, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaugeguru

Thanks for your feedback,

This exact wheel & tire combo is on the '06 / '07 sport model. I really don't think GM would have made a different fender for this model to accommodate a bigger wheel.

Are you serious that I could lower my car even with this tire setup? I have the load leveling suspension (FE3) and I've heard that this is quite involved.

it is quite involved with the load leveling shocks (from what i've read). but there are people who have lowered their car with 22" rims on it. you'll be fine.