Problems After New Wheels And Tires

andylear · November 27, 2007

I'm currently deployed in Iraq, but my wife bought a leveling kit, new wheels, and tires for my 2007 Silverado Z71 CC 4wd truck since I've been gone.

After getting the Superlift 2.5" kit installed, Mickey Thompson Classic Lock wheels (17x9), and Mickey Thompson MTZs (33x12.5x17) installed, she's noted the following problems:

1.) TPMS not working, guessing the sensors weren't moved over to the new wheels, but I'm not even sure if the OEM sensors will work with the new wheels and tires that require higher PSI.

2.) Tires rub at the lower middle part of the wheel liners, trimming an inch or two off the bottom of the liner should fix this problem.

3.) She says that the brakes shake a little now, but this seems odd to me and maybe it has something to do with ABS.

If anyone has input on what steps may need to be taken, I would certainly appreciate the advice. I need to give her some guidance on how to get these issues resolved.

Thanks

Wingnut · November 27, 2007

TPMS procedures are stupid complex. It's easy to bork it up. It took me like 5 tries to get it to work the first time I rotated my tires.

Also...Larger tires and wheels will exacerbate any brake vibrations that were existing.

andylear · November 27, 2007

Yeah, I've read the TPMS is a tricky system, but I'm trying to figure out if the sensors off my factory wheels can be used in my new ones. I've read somewhere that you have to purchase new valve stems for the new wheels and I can get them from GM for around $7 each. Do they make alloy valve stems that work with our TPMS? I'm not sure where to buy aftermarket sensors for the wheels if they are required either, would a Chevy dealer help me on this?

Also, I don't remember any brake vibrations prior to me leaving and my truck being stock. I have a hard time determining if my wife is noticing the difference in the tires (stock vs. mud terrain) or if it is actually a mechanical problem. I don't know if the mechanic putting on the replacement struts could've accidentally done something to mess with the braking system or not.

My wife is concerned about cutting the plastic wheel liner and thinks it needs a spacer to lift it higher, but I don't think it'd be a good idea to use a spacer in conjunction with the Superlift strut replacements. The mechanic told my wife that the struts only raised the truck 1.5", but it looks about level to me in the pictures she sent. I think the only way to lift it that high would be with a 3 or 4 inch lift, what do you think?

The bottom line is she doesn't feel comfortable driving the truck the way it is right now and it's going to be awhile before I get home.

PhilB · November 27, 2007

Brake problem could be due to the new wheels and tires. It could be that the ABS sensors are getting incorrect data due to the new sizes causing the ABS to activate when it doesn't need to. You may need to have the truck recalibrated for them. One way to test this is to put the stock wheels and tires back on and see if the problem is still there.

Controller · November 27, 2007

You can get replacement valve stems for the TPMS, I did for mine, about $5 each. I'm guessing they did not put the sensors on your new wheels.

With 33" tires the wheel liners will probably definatly have to be trimmed.

As for the brake issue, I don't know. Does it shake only when the brakes are applied or all the time. If it didn't do it before the rims and tires I would take it back to whoever installed them and see if they can find the problem.

Good luck and be safe.

Heysdad · November 27, 2007

First off....Thank you for being over there taking care of things for us. Please be safe.....

If the shaking thing is going on all the time, it's got to be the balance job they did. I didn't get but 3 miles away from the shop when they did mine, and went right back. The did the balance again on all 4 and it was very smooth after that....

As for everything else I'm not sure...... I would say go with what Controller says...

STEPSIDEZ71 · November 27, 2007

On the Brakes vibrating, it is a common problem with aftermarket wheels. The place that put the wheels on needs to make sure they pulled the brake retaining clips off wheel studs on the rear drums. If they did not the truck will shake pretty bad when the brakes are applied.

The TPMS they probably did not switch the sensors over to the new wheels. On my truck i just left them off. i get a light on in the dash but it does not affect anything else.

I also had to trim the fender liner on my truck. I went with a bigger tire so I also had to trim a little metal but you can not even tell it has been cut. It should be no problem to trim the liner.

Heysdad · November 27, 2007

On the Brakes vibrating, it is a common problem with aftermarket wheels. The place that put the wheels on needs to make sure they pulled the brake retaining clips off wheel studs on the rear drums. If they did not the truck will shake pretty bad when the brakes are applied.
The TPMS they probably did not switch the sensors over to the new wheels. On my truck i just left them off. i get a light on in the dash but it does not affect anything else.

I also had to trim the fender liner on my truck. I went with a bigger tire so I also had to trim a little metal but you can not even tell it has been cut. It should be no problem to trim the liner.

On the Brakes vibrating, it is a common problem with aftermarket wheels. The place that put the wheels on needs to make sure they pulled the brake retaining clips off wheel studs on the rear drums. If they did not the truck will shake pretty bad when the brakes are applied.

What are retaining clips? Can you explain this to me?....I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you are talking about....

andylear · November 27, 2007

I appreciate everyone's help and advice they have to offer. I'm going to send this information to my wife and hopefully she can make some headway with it.

It's really nice to have people back home so willing and eager to help out. By the way, it's good to know that there are great Americans back home supporting us.

God Bless America!

WO Lear

USMC

Heysdad · November 27, 2007

I appreciate everyone's help and advice they have to offer. I'm going to send this information to my wife and hopefully she can make some headway with it.

It's really nice to have people back home so willing and eager to help out. By the way, it's good to know that there are great Americans back home supporting us.

God Bless America!

WO Lear

USMC

"SEMPER FI"

Draenor · November 27, 2007

On the Brakes vibrating, it is a common problem with aftermarket wheels. The place that put the wheels on needs to make sure they pulled the brake retaining clips off wheel studs on the rear drums. If they did not the truck will shake pretty bad when the brakes are applied.
The TPMS they probably did not switch the sensors over to the new wheels. On my truck i just left them off. i get a light on in the dash but it does not affect anything else.

I also had to trim the fender liner on my truck. I went with a bigger tire so I also had to trim a little metal but you can not even tell it has been cut. It should be no problem to trim the liner.

On the Brakes vibrating, it is a common problem with aftermarket wheels. The place that put the wheels on needs to make sure they pulled the brake retaining clips off wheel studs on the rear drums. If they did not the truck will shake pretty bad when the brakes are applied.

What are retaining clips? Can you explain this to me?....I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you are talking about....

It is a clip type washer on either one or two of the studs. It keeps the brake drum from comming off the assembly when the wheel is removed.

Heysdad · November 27, 2007

Thanks John........

mello98zss · November 27, 2007

Also make sure the lug nuts are all torqued to spec, if the installer just cranked them down with an impact it could distort the rotors and cause brake pulsing.

mes · November 27, 2007

On the Brakes vibrating, it is a common problem with aftermarket wheels. The place that put the wheels on needs to make sure they pulled the brake retaining clips off wheel studs on the rear drums. If they did not the truck will shake pretty bad when the brakes are applied.
The TPMS they probably did not switch the sensors over to the new wheels. On my truck i just left them off. i get a light on in the dash but it does not affect anything else.

I also had to trim the fender liner on my truck. I went with a bigger tire so I also had to trim a little metal but you can not even tell it has been cut. It should be no problem to trim the liner.

On the Brakes vibrating, it is a common problem with aftermarket wheels. The place that put the wheels on needs to make sure they pulled the brake retaining clips off wheel studs on the rear drums. If they did not the truck will shake pretty bad when the brakes are applied.

What are retaining clips? Can you explain this to me?....I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you are talking about....

Thanks for all you guys and gals do. Your the true HERO'S of mine and many people God bless all of you.

WFO · November 27, 2007

When I talked to the tire dealer about after market wheels and tires. He recommended getting the wheels pressure balanced. He used another term though. He explained it as putting pressure on the wheels as they balance them. More less to simulate the weight of the truck on the wheel. He told that is is recommend on wheels over 17 inches because 17" wheels are harder to balance with just spin balancing them.