Problems with new wheels. Keep or not?

KCcarguy

KCcarguy

New member
I picked up some new Method Racing MR301s yesterday. They look awesome, but I have a couple issues and wanted some input.

First: The clearance between the front calipers and the wheel is only about 3-5mm. Is this OK? Normal? Any risk for damage under extreme conditions/ heat?

Second is the big one: The guys at the tire shop said two of the wheels were very difficult to balance. Requiring 8.5oz on one and 10oz on the other. The shop manager told me this is a sign that the rim was slightly bent during shipping (not a manufacturing defect).

I took the truck for a short drive and it felt alright, but I decided to have the OEMs put back on and I'm thinking about exchanging the Methods for new ones.

What do you guys think? Are these balancing numbers really out of line for aftermarket rims with large tires? I don't want to go through the trouble of an exchange based on one guys opinion. Thanks! :thumb3:
 
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Find someone with a road force balancer that knows how to use it. It can determine wheel runout or tire defect. Perhaps spinning the tire on the wheel will cure it.
 
Slightly bent during shipping? The wheels aren't made of plastic. It takes an extreme amount of force to bend a wheel. Doesn't mean the wheels aren't bad, but it would be a manufacturing defect. Take it somewhere else with a roadforce machine. That machine will help the tech balance it out smooth or determine what the problem is.

The amount of balance weights is excessive, so you should expect an improvement if the work is done right. For what its worth, I had a certain national chain balance a set for me and they told me the same crap. The wheels had weights stacked over an inch high. Couldn't drive over 40 the shake was so bad. The cause: The moron didn't have the right wheel center adapter so the wheels were actually wobbling as he spun them up on the machine.....
 
Called the shop from yesterday. They used a Roadforce balancer. Damn. I really like these wheels, but I have my reservations about exchanging. I was surprised that shipping could damage wheels as well. A couple of the boxes were a little dented, but geez. Maybe Ill just change to a new model.
 
KCcarguy said:
Called the shop from yesterday. They used a Roadforce balancer. Damn. I really like these wheels, but I have my reservations about exchanging. I was surprised that shipping could damage wheels as well. A couple of the boxes were a little dented, but geez. Maybe Ill just change to a new model.
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Shipping usually does not do it unless it is an ultralight racing wheel. Problem is either with manufacturing or installation.
 
Try a different shop. Sounds like the guys don't know how to use a roadforce machine. It is extremely unlikely that a wheel/tire would PASS a road force and still need as much weight as they put on.

What tires are you running?
 
I'd send them back to where you bought them and ask them for the same set and see if you have the same problem, having them damaged during shipping seems a little strange to me unless the box looked mangled. Like 1st Engineer said, a ultralight racing wheel maybe, but not the methods.
Lots of different avenues for you to choose, keep us posted.
 
ADUB said:
Try a different shop. Sounds like the guys don't know how to use a roadforce machine. It is extremely unlikely that a wheel/tire would PASS a road force and still need as much weight as they put on.

What tires are you running?
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Running destination AT 275/70 17 with about 39k miles on them.
 
Just ran into this problem last week on my Method double standards, rim hitting caliper, you really sure you have 3-5mm of clearance? Look at the outer most edge of the line running across the piston area, once torqued down the wheel was hitting and would not freely spin. Fixed with 1.25 spidertrax spacers, I am actually glad they didn't clear now, as the even wider stance looks even more badass! They ride perfect and we're road-forced balanced as well on a new set of duratracs, none requiring over 5oz, smooth as butt'a :guitar2:
 
NorthWest 4R said:
Just ran into this problem last week on my Method double standards, rim hitting caliper, you really sure you have 3-5mm of clearance? Look at the outer most edge of the line running across the piston area, once torqued down the wheel was hitting and would not freely spin. Fixed with 1.25 spidertrax spacers, I am actually glad they didn't clear now, as the even wider stance looks even more badass! They ride perfect and we're road-forced balanced as well on a new set of duratracs, none requiring over 5oz, smooth as butt'a :guitar2:
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If he has more miles than you he'll have less front brake material.

"some people" have been known to shave/grind down their new outer brake pads in order to make the wheels they like clear their calipers. Not recommended.
 
homeyclaus said:
If he has more miles than you he'll have less front brake material.

"some people" have been known to shave/grind down their new outer brake pads in order to make the wheels they like clear their calipers. Not recommended.
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Yeah. That's not acceptable to me.
 
homeyclaus said:
If he has more miles than you he'll have less front brake material.

"some people" have been known to shave/grind down their new outer brake pads in order to make the wheels they like clear their calipers. Not recommended.
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Which leads to the next issue when you get new brake pads. They may push the caliper into the wheel.
 
Ok well, then FYI you WILL rub like crazy when time comes for new brakes (that is unless you shave them new pads down, or just buy used pads :flamethrwoer2: :hiding:)


p.s. they do look NICE though
 
NorthWest 4R said:
Ok well, then FYI you WILL rub like crazy when time comes for new brakes (that is unless you shave them new pads down, or just buy used pads :flamethrwoer2: :hiding:)


p.s. they do look NICE though
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This is ridiculous. When I am told a wheel "fits" I'm assuming that means without any southern-engineering. These wheels are done.
 
KCcarguy said:
This is ridiculous. When I am told a wheel "fits" I'm assuming that means without any southern-engineering. These wheels are done.
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Welcome to the world of mods! If you pick a new wheel, post the specs and plenty on here will tell you if it fits without further "modifications."
 
KCcarguy said:
This is ridiculous. When I am told a wheel "fits" I'm assuming that means without any southern-engineering. These wheels are done.
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Yes, as I stated I was told/expected them to fit out of the box as well. I was pissed for a slight moment, but happy in the end result now with the wider stance. I even had the wheels mounted and balanced knowing they did not fit originally and was just hoping it would work :naughty:
 
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