2002 Cadillac Lucerne????

[Dadillac]

On May 1st, I had my right knee operated on. I had a torn ACL, and some cartilage damage. About a week and a half later, I needed to drive about a half mile, to get a new ice pack, for the knee. As I was driving, I noticed that I had to hold the steering wheel to the left, to keep the car going straight. Instead of stopping on the side of the road (all residential streets), I continued to my destination, and then checked my tires. My right front tire was flatter than flat. With some difficulty, I changed the tire, and went home (after getting the ice pack). I plugged the hole, and reinstalled the tire. Over the course of the last two months, I have been noticing that my car was vibrating much more than "normal". So I had the tire dismounted, to see if driving with the flat, damaged the inside of the tire. It looked fine, and I just had the tires balanced. That didn't solve the problem though. Now instead of a slight vibration between 60-75 mph, I had a vibration starting at 40, and continuing on up. So I decided that the tire must be bad, and decided to get new tires. Since the Kumho's that were on there cost about $150 each, I opted to get a different tire. But, as luck would have it, the Kumho's are about the cheapest 235/50/18 tire on the market. So now I decided to go with 17" factory rims and tires. I looked high and low on Ebay for reasonably priced stuff, but everything cost alot. Then, I found these. From a 2006 Buick Lucerne, 17" factory painted wheels, with 235/55/17 Continental tires, with no miles on them. Cost me $792.00 with shipping. Since the Lucerne came out, I have always kind of liked the wheel design. After installing them, I have had the car up to about 60 mph. No vibration. So my hunch about that bad tire was right. Now I will have to test it, to see how my 60-75 mph shimmy is doing. The ride is much better also. I attribute this to the Kumho's were a W rated tire, which is good to like 168 mph. the Continentals are an S rated tire, only good to 112 mph (my car is governed at 112, and I have only driven that fast once). So the sidewall is more flexible. Now I just need Cadillac center caps to put on them. Seeing the Buick symbol, on my Caddy, is killing me. So amyone with a set of caps laying around, that fit 2005 and 2006 Caddy wheels, let me know. Here is a pic. Let me know what you think.

Don

[Dadillac]

Here is a larger picture.
I can't get it to post larger. Sorry

Don

[EDBSO]

Originally Posted by Dadillac

. So I decided that the tire must be bad, and decided to get new tires. . . . After installing them, I have had the car up to about 60 mph. No vibration. So my hunch about that bad tire was right. Don

I am glad that you are getting a better ride. BUT you replaced both the rim and tire. Either or both could have cause the problem.

Continued good luck.

[big_bitty]

personally i think those wheels look smoking on the caddy!!!!!

[dp102288]

Hell yes!!

Is that a spoiler on your Seville?!

[Dadillac]

Thanks. When I first put the wheels on, I liked them. Everyday, I like them even more. I am very pleased with installing them. Plus, they were cheap. I just hope that the tires are good in the snow. Some people give good ratings, and some give poor ratings. Hopefully the poor ratings came from people who just can't drive in foul weather.

Yes, that is a spoiler. I got it from OE Pros. It cost about $240 if I remember right. It came painted, and the paint was a perfect match. It was a PITA to install, as the side pieces didn't fit right. I did a write up on it in the detailing forum. Just go to detailing, and do a search on spolier. The thread will come right up.

Don