Suspension upgrade/tyres

[donnot]

Thank you @Metal_Head. They look great! Might start with the petal rims and paint over if I get sick of them (which paint did you use - did an amazing job). Also, which 235 tyres? I was expecting a lot more outward bulge after looking at mine/research. I might end up going for 225's. 

 

EDIT: Might end up scrubbing with 235's as I'm lowered about 2.5-3cm in the rear since it's settled very slightly :/. 

Edited October 30, 2020 by donnot

[Tony Prodigy]

48 minutes ago, donnot said:

Oh...I think I'm getting the petal ones :/. Also have the option of these but I wasn't sure on them...

Hard decision. They both look great, but if I had to choose one I'd probably lean toward the 2nd choice. Are they both 18's ?

[L4WL3SS]

No bulge with 235s. I went with kuhmo ecsta Ps71 as they were the cheapest performance tyre I could find in this size. Grippy, slightly noisy. Although mine is stock height, it looks to have ample clearance, since the chr wheels are further from the wheel arch due to the slightly different offset. I agree the chr rims aren't the best choice, but they go straight on, and are a massive improvement over stock. With yours being lowered, would set them off just a little more as well

Edited October 30, 2020 by Metal_Head

[donnot]

1 minute ago, Tony Prodigy said:

Hard decision. They both look great, but if I had to choose one I'd probably lean toward the 2nd choice. Are they both 18's ?

Both 18's. Probably going to get the petal ones as it gives me the option to "turn them into" the other style with painting - photoshopped them on to get a visual idea 😅. 

5 minutes ago, Metal_Head said:

No bulge with 235s. Although mine is stock height, it looks to have ample clearance

Really like the look of those, but 225's might be my limit if I'm wanting to carry passengers 😆. Should still have plenty of grip with a decent sport tyre. 

[L4WL3SS]

Just keep in mind the 225s will have 5mm less sidewall than 235s, which means it will take a little shine off the lowering job with the increased gap between arch & tyre

[donnot]

Just got the rims! Probably should've checked them all before buying - quite a few light scuffs into the clear-coat over the metal.

Had a quick go with some scratch remover (Meguiar's) which can get some of the lighter ones out, but a bit disappointed :(. https://imgur.com/a/owkJ43X (first image is one section before, second is after and third image is one of the deeper scratches I won't be able to get out with just this remover). Might need to use a more cutting polish :/. 

 

[L4WL3SS]

Scratches suck. Nice work cleaning up that section. As long as they pass the 2 metre look, they're OK haha. Might need some really fine wet & dry sandpaper. Polish won't do the job on the deep stuff

Edited October 30, 2020 by Metal_Head

[donnot]

Booked it in for 225/40R18's tomorrow! A little under $700 with the get one free offer.

Wasn't too keen on the 40s, but they were out of 225/45 :(. Taking a bit of a risk 😄

[KAA]

Luke sometimes life forces us to take risks, I am assuming they have some sort of replace free if they are not the tyres for you?..if not it will be one of those learn from experience moments..the rims do look good shame about those damn scratches..you did well to get the smaller ones out..i think polishing will do little to remove the deeper ones..you may have to sand and recoat them but personally I would leave them alone and live with what you have for a while..there are loads of specialists who do rim restorations for later if need be, or check out the videos on Youtube for doing it yourself..there are heaps

Let us know how the rims and tyres turn out, looking forward to the end result in Pic;s

KAA

[L4WL3SS]

Dude get the correct sized tyres. Your speedo will be out, they will look funny, the ride will be a lot rougher, and the rims will be more prone to being bent/cracked. Aurion on 18s needs 225/235 45 series. I got 235s because it kept the same overall diameter as the factory alloy/tyre combo. I doubt they will scrub, but if so, then u can bend the lip back on the guards. I doubt u would have to resort to that. No way I would be fitting 40 series 

Edited October 30, 2020 by Metal_Head

[ZZT86]

If you want a track tyre you could use anything provided that it sticks & handles change of direction well, ie: soft compound & stiff sidewall. A second pair of cheap wheels as Ash mentioned would be ideal although cost is always a consideration. A proper Michelin track tyre would be the PS4S (harder sidewall) or the Pilot Super Sport, if available in the sorted size, either are bloody expensive. I guess the ultimate track tyre would be the Yokohama AD08 all the 86 track dudes are raving on about.

Be careful also you don't deviate the offset too far from factory as it could have an adverse effect on the cars handling & braking as you ultimately alter the cars track width. Guys with more experience in altering their Aurions could chime in.

Edited October 30, 2020 by ZZT86

[donnot]

Don't worry all 😆 not going to go ahead with the 40s. Did the calculations and it works out to be around 3cm smaller in diameter (car will sit 1.5cm lower), so I won't be able to clear the driveway and will be borderline illegal, height-wise. Hopefully they'll be able to do the 215/45's for the get one free deal that ended today (30th).

I liked the look of 215's on a 7" rim from research.

Not planning on a whole lot of track use at the moment other than 1 or 2 motorkhana style events, so not going to go crazy about tyres...

Edited October 30, 2020 by donnot

[Tony Prodigy]

9 hours ago, donnot said:

Just got the rims! Probably should've checked them all before buying - quite a few light scuffs into the clear-coat over the metal.

Had a quick go with some scratch remover (Meguiar's) which can get some of the lighter ones out, but a bit disappointed :(. https://imgur.com/a/owkJ43X (first image is one section before, second is after and third image is one of the deeper scratches I won't be able to get out with just this remover). Might need to use a more cutting polish :/. 

 

It is a bit disappointing to find scuff marks on anything, especially wheels. My biggest bug bear is gutter rash. If a wheel has even the slightest bit of rash I keep looking. Scuffs like these aren't too bad and you can reduce them if you have the right gear or pay someone to do them for you.

My Rupes Nano iBrid is perfect for these. You'd need to go over the scuffs with some very fine grade sandpaper, say 3000 then polish with a cutting pad. Powder coat clear coat is quite thick but you need to mind the edges. 

Here's a video I think will interest you.

Looks like they're in their shipping box too. Did you buy these privately and did the seller disclose the blemishes ??

Were they advertised as "brand new" ? 

Edited October 30, 2020 by Tony Prodigy

[donnot]

53 minutes ago, Tony Prodigy said:

It is a bit disappointing to find scuff marks on anything, especially wheels. My biggest bug bear is gutter rash. If a wheel has even the slightest bit of rash I keep looking. Scuffs like these aren't too bad and you can reduce them if you have the right gear or pay someone to do them for you.

My Rupes Nano iBrid is perfect for these. You'd need to go over the scuffs with some very fine grade sandpaper, say 3000 then polish with a cutting pad. Powder coat clear coat is quite thick but you need to mind the edges. 

Here's a video I think will interest you.

Looks like they're in their shipping box too. Did you buy these privately and did the seller disclose the blemishes ??

Were they advertised as "brand new" ? 

Thanks, I'll have a look at those when I'm up in the morning!

Bought them from the Toyota dealership (parts department) - only one image and it didn't show the blemish at all. Completely on me for not checking them though and it's a bit of a lesson. Regardless, happy enough considering the price I paid, so not going to worry.

Once I did the first pass of the scratch remover (Meguiar's) I could barely notice from a metre or two, but will probably work on them more once fitted. 

[Tony Prodigy]

6 hours ago, Metal_Head said:

Dude get the correct sized tyres. Your speedo will be out, they will look funny, the ride will be a lot rougher, and the rims will be more prone to being bent/cracked. Aurion on 18s needs 225/235 45 series. I got 235s because it kept the same overall diameter as the factory alloy/tyre combo.

That is very good advice.

[campbeam]

7 hours ago, ZZT86 said:

Be careful also you don't deviate the offset too far from factory as it could have an adverse effect on the cars handling & braking as you ultimately alter the cars track width. Guys with more experience in altering their Aurions could chime in.

Suggest looking at the previous posts from 2007 on where there was a lot more happening with tyre and wheel upgrades etc.

[L4WL3SS]

Have u tried tyresales & tyroola? 

These pirellis came to $716 fitted in WA for example 

https://www.tyroola.com.au/pirelli-cinturato-p7-ecoimpact-xl-23545r18-98y-ty54bc4b700e.html

If u wanted to go 215 width, then I believe u need a 50 series to keep the factory outside rolling diameter 

Edited October 30, 2020 by Metal_Head

[L4WL3SS]

Bob Jane doin buy 3 get 4 etc. 

Bridgestone RE003 in 225/45r18 for $690 fitted. Get onto that mate

https://www.bobjane.com.au/a/225-45r18-tyres/bridgestone/potenza-adrenalin-re003-225-45r18-95w/8191?variant_id=8191

[donnot]

Getting 235/45’s but they’re going to do a test fit to make sure they don’t scrub too much (if so, may go for a 235/40 or even 215/45). Was recommended by them. Might be lucky with the increased offset (5mm) of the CH-R wheels!

[L4WL3SS]

My tyres would fry when I had 215 bridgestones. So so much more grip with 235s I've noticed

Your only on lows so shouldn't scrub. If the guard lip needs massaging, jack the up until u can snugly fit a piece of exhaust tubing above the tyre, and lever it against the guard lip to bend the lip up, then a few taps with a rubber mallet until ur happy. 

Done that with all my cars I've lowered. Just make sure it's been in direct sun for awhile or use heat gun/hair drier to make the paint more malleable

Edited October 31, 2020 by Metal_Head

[donnot]

Fitted! Doesn't look too bad - possibly a bit more "boy racer" than I'd like https://imgur.com/iyTkdDG

Drives beautifully now - slightly more road noise but a lot more grip. Don't think I'll be able to do much re: steering returning on centre as they said it's due to the control arms being lower. 

EDIT: Probably ~80kg in the back from old tyres/rims and another 15-20 for the sub in the boot and no scrubbing over some reasonably large bumps/fast-ish corners. Will be heading up to the hills this afternoon though, so that'll be a good test. I noticed a lot of people scrubbing with 235's in the tyres thread had smaller offsets (+30-45) so the 50 has probably saved me. 

Edited October 31, 2020 by donnot

[KAA]

Well Luke the wheels look awesome..well done..I hope the longer drive in the hill area shows how good they really are..Let us know

KAA

[L4WL3SS]

That looks sweet..... No bias of course haha. Being lowered makes the rims look larger too. 

With regards to the steering not returning to center, something is wrong there. Take it somewhere else & do a wheel alignment & get a 2nd opinion. 

[L4WL3SS]

Another paint scheme I was thinking of to get rid of the petal look, was blackout each extended point of the "v" that led to the center of the wheel (if that makes any sense 😂) so all you would see is the v shapes joined together on the outside of the wheel

Edited October 31, 2020 by Metal_Head

[campbeam]

1 hour ago, Metal_Head said:

That looks sweet..... No bias of course haha. Being lowered makes the rims look larger too. 

With regards to the steering not returning to center, something is wrong there. Take it somewhere else & do a wheel alignment & get a 2nd opinion. 

As mentioned in a previous post, the caster angle needs to be adjusted to achieve a self centreing action in the steering.  

I have not done this for quite some time. After driving hard through a roundabout, upon exiting I would let go of the steering wheel and it would self-centre very quickly. 

I posted my recent wheel alignment printouts in this thread and the latest one shows the target specifications.

https://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/13268-wheel-alignment-specs/page/6/#comments