Pro Comp Steel Wheel Balance Issue

Hey guys, I recently got a set of 16x8 Pro Comp 252 wheels for my 2003 Tacoma. I did a lot of research and reading around and had heard that there were issues with the Pro Comp steel wheels clearing the calipers on Tacomas. A guy at my local 4 Wheel Parts even said they wouldn't fit. Well me being stubborn like I am, I had to find out for myself (I really wanted these wheels). Well fortunately for me, they cleared the calipers... Barely. Anyways, I had a buddy at a local Honda dealership mount and balance my worn out General Grabber AT2's and all was good. Or so I thought....

Once I started driving it, I realized it had a pretty bad vibration above 55 MPH. So I went to Discount and told them I was getting ready for a lift and tires soon, so they balanced them for free since I would be coming back to them for the new tires. So I dropped off the truck, picked it up, and it still has a bad vibration. I've read around about hub centric rings, but Pro Comp said those won't fit the steel wheels. They also said it could be the worn out tires, but it didn't have nearly this bad of a shake before, so I'm skeptical about that being the problem. At some point I called 4 wheel parts and the guy said they don't really recommend steel wheels for daily drivers.

I've read everything from hub centric rings, to adapters for tire balancing machines that bolt to the lugs, but I'm not sure what the best route to go is. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge with balancing steel wheels? I'm a little frustrated at this point - this is a first for me to have tire/wheel issues like this. Thanks in advance.

 

Did you mention to discount tire you're chasing a vibration. Could be a bent wheel and the guy balancing them isn't paying attention to how the wheel spins. Any unusually large amounts of weight on any wheels. Maybe someone should tell auto manufactures not to run steel wheels on DD.

 

Years ago, when wanting new wheels, I read many reviews about steel wheels not balancing correctly. Most of the reviews were ProComp's steelies. I don't recall reading many about American Racing's steel wheels though.

 

I told them my buddy balanced them and that I didn't really trust it. So it may have sounded like it was my buddy's fault when I brought the truck in. They said everything balanced just fine and that I should be good to go. I'll call them later and see what they can do.

Yeah, I've heard that a couple times as well about Pro Comp wheels as well. Figured I might have good luck with them though.

 

Little bit of an update:

I went back to Discount on Wednesday and asked if they would try balancing the wheels again. There is barely any tread left, and the tech this time was skeptical if they could for safety reason. But he went ahead and had them balance the fronts since that's where the vibration/shake is felt the most. I'm really just trying to make these tires last a bit longer. So they re-balanced them and even threw in a set of lug nuts because they were concerned with the factory Toyota ones possibly being the issue... While I was there, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on ordering a set of 285/75R16 General Grabber ATX's. I tried going with another set of AT2's, but I guess the ATX's are brand new this month and are the replacements in the General lineup.

So on with more updates... Tonight I installed a pair of OME 881 coils with poly 1/4" top plate spacers on my existing 5100's and installed a diff drop kit. I also ordered some Wheelers 1.5" AALs, which show up tomorrow. I took it for a little test drive tonight after the install, and first off... I love the 881 coils! Prior to this, I had preload spacers on the stock coils as a temporary fix for the body roll and the soft ride. I was worried the new coils wouldn't be as stiff since the preload spacers were already a noticeable improvement. But the 881's have an even more firm feeling, less body roll, and just have a nice solid feeling. Anyway, the vibration/shake seems to have settle a little bit from what I could tell in the short drive I went on. I got on the freeway and got up to about 70 MPH at one point. It's an improvement, so I'll take it.

I'm going to install the AAl's, replace the upper control arm bushings with Energy Suspension poly bushings (I did the lowers last year), install the new tires next week, get an alignment, and go from there. I'll post up pics when I get the rest of the lift kit and tires put on!

 

Ive mentioned this on just about every tire vibration thread ive seen, had anyone mentioned road force to you? If not have them road force the tires and the news one too. You can have a balanced tire and still have a vibration due to road force variation.

 

When I went in this last time I asked them if they could, but I don't remember if they actually did. I'll be sure to mention it when I get the new tires put on. Thanks man!

Got the AAL installed tonight. I'm loving the way she rides even more. I'll update with pics when I get the new tires on let you guys know if I'm still having balance issues.

 

I've road forced brand new ko2 tires with a hub centric ring on stock rims and still had vibes I actually own the ring adapter too. Most times after this I'd swap to a one piece driveshaft and all new wheel bearings. Not every truck gets the same remedy for vibes some people don't even notice vibes either it's really weird.

 

Probably has a lot to due with u joint condition, sometimes when they are kinda ok in stock angles then the angles change when lifted and then they are just beyond that kinda sorta ok limit.

 

Well damn, that doesn't instill much hope for these new tires being the solution. My tires right now are pretty hammered, so I still have some hope left. Like you said though, not every truck reacts to mods the same.

So I have a question for everyone... After reading around that Pro Comp steel wheels don't clear the calipers, why did these 252's clear mine? I mean it's close, but they cleared. The masking tape was to prevent scratches in case I had to send them back.