Which is more important--tires or rims?

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I know for a fact that my two back rims are bent (I saw the back wheels wiggle when the mechanic spun them). I'm trying to decide whether I should get 4 new tires for the winter OR two new rims for the time being.

I only drive 50 miles per week. I'm thinking new tires for the winter and maybe some cheapo rims in the spring. (The cars is almost 9 years old.)

All opinions welcomed!

[Slumbag]

TIRES!!!
http://www.thefullercv.com/images/businessman-white-back.jpg

RIMS!!!!
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/images/pref_images/p65950ozvla.jpg

The battle rages on.

[PapaBear]

You can buy used rims for a very low price. Get those, and also the tires.

[boosterp]

If the rims are bent they can cause excessive wear on your tires. They can also cause suspension and handling issues such as increasing the amount of time it takes you to stop in a panic situation. It depends on the wear of your current tires, the amount of warp/bend in your current rims and the overall condition of the car.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

boosterp--

You're sig pic is VERY intense so I'm going to take your advice.

Thanks much and relax your eyes a bit.

XOXO-

Alice

AKA-- Petrina

[Bob Impact]

I know for a fact that my two back rims are bent (I saw the back wheels wiggle when the mechanic spun them).

It's not rare for wheels to look like they're "wiggling" when spun freely. Do you hear any grinding bumping or thumping (great name for a soul song) when you drive?

Generally rims are more important for all of the reasons mentioned, but point being unless the mechanic mentioned to you that the rims we bent or you're sure that they are, tires.

[ToiletCrusher]

Yeah, you need to find suitable inexpensive replacements for the rear rims. But, seeing as how the car is 9 years old, you could just as easily drive it into the ground. It's a crap shoot either way. money spent on something that you potentially won't keep too much longer or you risk further damage to your car and have to pay for more serious repairs later.

[Tall_James]

You have to consider which is more important to the owner, a tire job or a rim job.











































Naughty.

[Death Metal Moe]

You can get very cheap rims off wrecks from a junkyard. Get your car year, make and model and call a couple to see if they have the rims off that car on the lot. Tell them you're coming from a distance and need the kind of junkyard that will actually remove them for you, make sure they are actually there, are in good working order and put them in your trunk for you.

If you know for a fact they're fucked up you really should replace them, and you can most likely get used but good rims for like $30 or so a piece I would guess.

And shop around for the tires. You usually get good deals from a place if you buy and mount from the same tire place, but also consider if buying tires from a place like tirerack.com and bringing them to a tire place to mount and balance is cheaper. Just weigh your options.

[Snoogans]

You have to take care of the rims cause driving on bent rims will ruin tires way faster then normal. Plus who wants to feel all that shake while they drive

[A.J.]

Spinners on the Elantra!!

http://epage.com/web/AC/00/01/68/35/51/picture.jpg

[boosterp]

boosterp--

You're sig pic is VERY intense so I'm going to take your advice.

Thanks much and relax your eyes a bit.

XOXO-

Alice

AKA-- Petrina

I suck at self portraits :(

[cougarjake13]

i say rims

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Do you hear any grinding bumping or thumping (great name for a soul song) when you drive?

Yes, I hear a grinding sound from the rear when I break. I know I need new rims AND new tires. But I only drive maybe 40 miles per week. At this point I don't care if the rims are causing wear to the tires since I plan on replacing them all.

I'm still trying to figure out what the blasted SQUEAKING is. The mechanic couldn't find a lose belt or anything wrong with my steering (odd since I apparently needed a new steering pump a year ago. Same mechanic). My car squeaks like a MOFO when I turn on the air or steer. Sometimes it stops and I can't find a rhythm or a reason.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I suck at self portraits

That's ok!!! I take terrible pics myself (as do most of us).

I give you credit for posting your pic. :-)

[Death Metal Moe]

Do you hear any grinding bumping or thumping (great name for a soul song) when you drive?

Yes, I hear a grinding sound from the rear when I break. I know I need new rims AND new tires. But I only drive maybe 40 miles per week. At this point I don't care if the rims are causing wear to the tires since I plan on replacing them all.

I'm still trying to figure out what the blasted SQUEAKING is. The mechanic couldn't find a lose belt or anything wrong with my steering (odd since I apparently needed a new steering pump a year ago. Same mechanic). My car squeaks like a MOFO when I turn on the air or steer. Sometimes it stops and I can't find a rhythm or a reason.

Well the grinding sound when you break is probalby the pads or shoes. Did you ever have them changed? Maybe a calipur is getting fouled and staying closed more than it should, that's not a big deal to fix but should be addressed.

Squeaking when you turn sounds like a belt to me too, but if he said he checked it and it's fine I'm at a loss.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Got brand new breaks in May of 2007. I'm ALWAYS asking the guys at work about my car. My EXACT opinion was about my new back breaks and the old rims. I know it sounds ridiculous but I'm trying to save enough for both new tires and new rims.

What if I drive on better rims (about $70/piece) and ride on the old tires? I only drive 35 miles/week.

To be honest, I can't remember when I replaced all the tires at once. I replaced the two back tires in 2006. Not so sure about the other two.

Plus I have the erroneous SQUEAK to contend with.

I know I'm a pain in the ass. Thanks for everyone for their advice. I DO appreciate it very much!

[PapaBear]

It all depends on the amount of tread left on your old tires. The standard test is with a penny. Stick a penny upside down in the tread. If it doesn't block the top of Abe's head, you need new tires right away.

[PapaBear]

Also check the evenness of the wear. If the tread is worn more on the inside or outside edges of the tread surface, then your car is probably out of alignment. If you put new tires on the unaligned car, they too will wear too fast on the edges.

If I remember right, the way to check for balance is to run your hand over the tire. If you feel dips "cupping" then the tire is out of balance. When you get a new tire, it will be balanced properly (make sure you ask them if balancing is included).

BTW... Out of balance tires may be the problem instead of bent rims, but I doubt it. From what you describe, it sounds worse than improper balance.

EDIT: Also don't forget what Moe and I said. You can probably get used rims for (at most) half of what the new ones are. Probably even less.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

WELL-- if I drive really carefully, I might just be able to hold out til i save another 2 hundred bucks. I'm not planning on driving much more than to work and back.

EDIT: There's also this tire place in my neighborhood that I trust a TAD more than a junk yard. I'll see what they have. I really don't want to spend more than $30 on used rims.

[PapaBear]

Just make sure you check the tread. If you're lucky, you may not need to replace them at all. I drive 2-3 miles a week and tires last me a year. If you only drive 35, you may still be good for a while. Give it a shot. I could put your mind at ease.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

THANKS PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll check out the new tires after this weeks paycheck.

I just never know who to believe. Everyone has a different opinion. I mean, I'm a chick but I also know when my safety is involved.

I should just get the four new tires (before the Sears tire sale is over) and buy $70 rims.

[sailor]

Just make sure you check the tread. If you're lucky, you may not need to replace them at all. I drive 2-3 miles a week and tires last me a year. If you only drive 35, you may still be good for a while. Give it a shot. I could put your mind at ease.

your tires only last 104-156 miles??

[biggestmexi]

*Not being mean but to the point*

If you buy new tires and put them on these 4 wheels that are one your car NOW.

You will need to buy new tires when you replace the bent rims.

If you say the rims are wobbling you will run the side of the tread of the tire. This is where the tread is seated with the sidewall. When you wear at this for an extended amount of time the tread will separate from the tire leading to an accident. But then when you buy the new wheels you will have to replace those tires. so no you are with two old and two new. It will be like that forever. If they are stock style wheel are not very fancy you can usually go to a wheel or tire place to repair bent wheels. Then you could just buy new tires. Most of the time though when you are looking to get new wheels and tires you can pick up decent packages. Something I would recommend. Like booster said a wobbling wheel will cause you much more damage in the end being that is making excessive wear on several parts of your vehicle. Assuming you have a front wheel drive car the damage will not be as great but can tear apart the rear suspension. Depending on HOW bad the wobble is it could break the wheels studs and then you can say by by to your wheel and tire and your car.

If you posted what type of car you have I would help you look for a package that is decent and more important SAFE, and wont cost you more in the end.

But your question. Tires are more important than the wheel unless your wheels are messed up. Then the tire is only as good as the wheel.

[PapaBear]

your tires only last 104-156 miles??
Did I seriously say 2-3 miles? I meant 200-300.:wallbash: