View Full Version : wrong size tires from the factory
shannon corkill
11-17-2003, 04:22 PM
Hey every one,
I was cleaning my car marauder up to put it away for the winter and I noticed that the drivers rear tire was the wrong size. Instead of having 245/55/zr18 like the left rear, it had 235/50 on it. The dealership is looking into getting it fixed. So if you haven't checked both sides of the rear tires I recommend you go check..
LincMercLover
11-17-2003, 04:27 PM
That could be bad for the rear end too...
jgc61sr2002
11-17-2003, 05:32 PM
Thanks for the heads up.:D Love this site.:up:
CRUZTAKER
11-17-2003, 06:55 PM
Originally posted by LincMercLover
That could be bad for the rear end too...
Absolutely....BUT, it solely depends on what they had on the front in relation to to the 'wrong' ones on the back.
What was on the front?
shannon corkill
11-17-2003, 07:13 PM
The front tires were the correct ones, They put 235/50/18s, right rear had 245/55/18 and left rear had 235/50/18
Just a little curious...how long have you had the car before noticing this?
RCSignals
11-17-2003, 07:16 PM
Is your Marauder a '03 300A? If so I wonder what size tire is on your spare?
CRUZTAKER
11-17-2003, 07:51 PM
RC 'SHERLOCK' ...I think you have it, someone changed a flat...sounds feasable? Wheel wouldn't match though...
Bigdogjim
11-17-2003, 07:53 PM
Man 'o man it hard to belive that got pass so many people.
Like TAF said how long you had this Marauder?
TripleTransAm
11-17-2003, 08:12 PM
LML is right... the smaller overall diameter of one tire will have that wheel rotating slightly faster than the other. On an open rear, that's no problem except for perhaps some premature bearing wear in the diff itself (spider gears, etc.), but with a limited slip rear end, that means the clutches have been slipping ever so slightly for a while now, as the diff always thought the car was turning at a gentle arc.
Not sure how many miles you put on the car, but I'd have this incident indicated in detail in your files in case premature diff failure occurred in the future, outside of warranty.
shannon corkill
11-17-2003, 08:27 PM
I have had the car (300A) for 10 months with 22,000 miles....it was one of those things where I looked at the correct size tire on the left side and I just assumed they were both correct....Unfortunately I have driven it across the US a couple times. I checked the spare and it is also a 235/50/18. I am going tell the dealership my concerns of early wear on the rear end and ask what can they do for me. I hope every one checks their rear tires and don't have this problem.
TheDealer
11-17-2003, 08:57 PM
Originally posted by shannon corkill
Hey every one,
I was cleaning my car marauder up to put it away for the winter and I noticed that the drivers rear tire was the wrong size. Instead of having 245/55/zr18 like the left rear, it had 235/50 on it. The dealership is looking into getting it fixed. So if you haven't checked both sides of the rear tires I recommend you go check..
How do you know they came from the factory? Could have been vandalized somewhere before you bought it. They dealer may have put those tires on!!!! if they give you a hard time, tell them to show you all the service history on your vehicle. If the tires were replaced it should have it under the vin number of your vehicle. RAY
CRUZTAKER
11-18-2003, 05:31 AM
This has turned out to be one of those stories that....gives me the shivers.
RoyLPita
11-18-2003, 05:59 AM
I would be honored to run your VIN for you. PM me, please.
TheDealer
11-18-2003, 06:21 AM
Originally posted by CRUZTAKER
This has turned out to be one of those stories that....gives me the shivers.
I don't think this will do any good, since that only tacks warranty repairs. If something happened on the dealers lot, it's not going to show. You must have the dealer show you their records. RAY
Crown Vic
11-18-2003, 07:16 AM
Wow!!! That's like driving in circles for 22,000 miles!!! I hope all turns out well. :D
TripleTransAm
11-18-2003, 07:52 AM
Originally posted by Crown Vic
Wow!!! That's like driving in circles for 22,000 miles!!! I hope all turns out well. :D
Now now, before we sound the panic alarm, how many folks drive 22000 miles completely straight without so much as ONE little lane change or slight curve?
Let's keep in perspective the % difference in rotation speeds between the left and right wheels in this particular scenario. Maybe a Marauder with correct tires on both sides will experience this kind of speed differential between wheels (or much worse, in a tighter corner) perhaps 50% of the time? So in reality perhaps only 50% of those 22000 miles were actually hard on the limited slip unit.
Another thing to consider is that the job of the limited slip unit is to limit slip between axles. So if the clutches in the limited slip unit are strong enough (I believe they are, on the Marauder), I'd bet the smaller tire might have been sliding ever so slightly over those miles... or perhaps the taller tire slipping slightly faster than the actual road speed, as the limited slip attempted to match axle speeds. Examination of the tire wear might shed some light on this.
No need to stress out too much, I think... maybe the limited slip might give out at 170000 miles instead of 200000 had this situation not occurred. One never knows. Best to just make an official note in the service records, maybe speak with someone higher up, and keep an eye on rear end noises just in case.
carfixer
11-18-2003, 10:24 AM
If anything has happened, the clutch pack in the differential for the limited slip are worn. This can be tested. There is a procedure in the service manual for this. Basically, you raise 1 rear wheel and measure the "break away" torque to rotate the raised wheel with a torque wrench (trans in neutral). If it is less than 20lb/ft, the clutch pack is worn. Tell them you want to be there when they check it.
Right on, carfixer. There is no way that the clutch pack is not significantly worn at this point, but how would you ever know if you don't do burnouts or winter driving. Rear end fluid could also tell a story on this car. If those clutches are well-worn, the fluid would be also well-contaminated, unless gear oil allows contaminating particulates to precipitate out when at rest.
BTW, that car must have driven funny!
Mike
TheDealer
11-18-2003, 10:51 AM
That's what seems funny to me also. First off I would think the ABS light would trip due to the different wheel speeds. Also if it has traction control, you would see problems. The other thing is the car can't track properly. I would think it would also have a front end pull. Just my .02, RAY:confused: :confused: :confused:
gonzo50
11-18-2003, 11:21 AM
Originally posted by shannon corkill
I have had the car (300A) for 10 months with 22,000 miles....it was one of those things where I looked at the correct size tire on the left side and I just assumed they were both correct....
In 22,000 miles you should have had atleast four tire rotations, according to the service schedule that states rotate tires every 5,000 miles for wear purposes. :confused:
There's a "dead man in Denmark" somewhere here...:confused:
Folks here go over their car with a 'fine-toothed comb" on a regular basis. You mean to tell me that in 22,000 miles...you never thought the car...well...leaned a little bit?
I'm having a hard time believing this one folks...
TheDealer
11-18-2003, 11:37 AM
Front tire are 26" tall and backs are 28" tall. That's a 1" lean. I can't believe noone notice it!!!!!
Originally posted by TheDealer
Front tire are 26" tall and backs are 28" tall. That's a 1" lean. I can't believe noone notice it!!!!!
That's what I'm talkin about...who's the owner...Ray Charles? Jose Feliciano? Mr. McGoo?....RF?
LincMercLover
11-18-2003, 12:14 PM
Originally posted by TAF
who's the owner...Ray Charles? Jose Feliciano? Mr. McGoo?....RF?
Ooooooooooooooooooooo... That was low... :shot:
SergntMac
11-18-2003, 03:02 PM
Just wondering...It is sphelled "gotcha," or, GOTCHA!" Never been good at sphelling...
shannon corkill
11-18-2003, 06:00 PM
Well nice to see everyone got there shots in. The car doesn't drive funny nore did it vear to the left or right. There are plenty of times where I would let go of the wheel and it would just go straight as advertised. The ASB light never came on and when standing from a distance you can't see the "BIG" one inch difference in tire size. I have flown over 1200 hrs and 200+ trap i.e. carrier landings and know what a leaning deck looks like, so geniuses who say they could tell if the car was leaning.... Kudos for you.
The dealership measured my tread wear and the still hasn't gotten back with me, I also asked for them to check the dif fluid.
Still waiting for the word from them.
Look...don't take it personal. It's just hard for me (and apparently others) to believe you never noticed this after driving the car for 22K clicks. There is a significant difference in the size of the front/rears.
Good luck with whatever works out.
Long Live #3
11-18-2003, 07:35 PM
Do you guys think that this is the reason why there is uneven wear?
tetsu
11-18-2003, 07:40 PM
I can't imagine missing that personally unless you never handwash your car. I personally get shot into a rather
pathetic euphoria as I privately gloat over my beautiful
back tires during every wash.
I'm sure that I am not the only one here who experiences
this phenomenon! :)
Johnny
Originally posted by Long Live #3
Do you guys think that this is the reason why there is uneven wear?
No...but it's a reason for people to pay attention to their cars. You should always be looking, listening and feeling the car. Otherwise...it's just transportation...which is fine, but not what this car deserves.
CRUZTAKER
11-18-2003, 07:43 PM
I notice my car leaning on uneven pavement EVERYTIME, and it freaks me out enough to check tire pressues...
Don't take it too personally...some folks just don't pay attention to detail. My wife once drove nearly 500 miles with a left front tire ar 18 lbs. She claims it did not pull or anything....some folks just don't pay attention to their auto...no biggie, you're not alone.
jgc61sr2002
11-18-2003, 08:08 PM
Who would actually check the tire size on a new vehicle? Not many people.
Originally posted by jgc61sr2002
Who would actually check the tire size on a new vehicle? Not many people.
If you're buyin a Corolla...probably not...
Bigdogjim
11-18-2003, 10:12 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CRUZTAKER
[B]I notice my car leaning on uneven pavement EVERYTIME, and it freaks me out enough to check tire pressues...
Hell Cruz.. Mine MM leans to the left everytime I drive it! :lol:
RCSignals
11-19-2003, 01:39 AM
I can understand someone missing this tire size.
Just a lot of time enjoying driving the car, and not looking at what's written on the tires.
I hope it works out for you Shannon.
CRUZTAKER
11-19-2003, 01:38 PM
Originally posted by Bigdogjim
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CRUZTAKER
[B]I notice my car leaning on uneven pavement EVERYTIME, and it freaks me out enough to check tire pressues...
Hell Cruz.. Mine MM leans to the left everytime I drive it! :lol:
oddly....I NOTICED IT!
Big Dog, we were going to suggest that you put tractor tires on the driver's side of your car...:rolleyes:
SergntMac
11-19-2003, 06:21 PM
I don't think we have been too out of line with our remarks and replies here. Looking back on all the odd posts we have sifted through here, this specific post is from what we would consider "way out in left field." Give US a break too, eh? We have had our share of trolls and twisters stop by to say hello, ala the "evil Sable" story/joke.
Shannon...You threw us a twist. Give us some time to sort it all out. If there is a problem, you won't be alone in your battle to get it fixed. If you're the problem, we can fix that too. Patience, my friend, we're not done looking at your situation.
That said, what is the possibility that the rear air suspension compensates for left/right inequity?
We know that the front to rear height will be air balanced, in fact we know how to tune that to our benefit. Any chance it also compensates left to right?
Last night, after reading Shannon's last post, I went down to my garage, to see with my own eyes, what could possibly be the problem here, maybe figure out how Shannon should have seen the ride height difference, or, could have come to ignore that obvious left to right rake.
I traded my left rear tire for my spare, took pics. Due to weather, this was a stationary switch, and I thought the best way to document my measurements, was to place a stationary object ( a paint can) under my left rear tail pipe. I took pics of my exploration, but I did not measure from off the garage floor. I did what occurred to me, maybe I'll do better next time?
I got pics okay, but with terrible night exposure. My eyes tell my brain there is an obvious difference. My camera lense did not capture that difference, nor can I show that to y'all now. The pics are just unGodly poor. Still, I can FWD a zip file of what I did, if y'all drop me a line at SergntMac@aol.com.
I conclude that more study is in order. More observations need to be collected, before we presume anything more.
Maybe Shannon should have known better.
Maybe not.
There would be no compensation left/right; each spring gets the same air pressure, so the body would be the same distance from the rear axle assembly.
shannon corkill
11-19-2003, 08:15 PM
Here is the latest.... The dealership service guy won't replace my tire for for free...I have to pay for a new tire and they will rotate and balance for free at $141.00 some dollars...I asked to speak to the service manager..played phone tag once and he didn't return my call. The service guy I have been dealing with is a nice guy who is the mearly the messenger and thinks this is messed up also. I mentioned my concern for the rear end and asked for them if they would check the diff lube. The word was this manager thinks nothing is wrong with it. First off, the wrong size tire is on my car and I have to pay for the mistake. Secondly they want me to pay 40 some dollars over cost for replacing it. And finally the service manager seems to not care about fact I am concerned about the rear end and has past to me thru third party there is nothing wrong with it when they haven't even volunteered to drain it to check it out. So I haven't taken in the car to get the tire swapped out, and I am planning to talk to the owner of the dealership, because this is going on day 5 with no resolution . I guess being repeat customer doesn't mean &*()^, this is my 4th Merc in 4 years. The funny thing is I get better service at the Pontiac dealership trying to restore my basketcase 88 GTA, and I haven't even bought anything new there...allot to be said about good service.....even more to be said about bad service.
Segnt Mac you are right when you look at the correct sized side then go look to the other side there is a visible difference in tire size, but nothing noticable of a lean. . But when I asked other gear heads to see if they could tell if the car was leaning or which side from looking behind seemed uneven,...every one of them could not tell. I just hope people have checked their tires by now.
MapleLeafMerc
11-19-2003, 08:52 PM
shannon, I hope you win your battle. It's an all too familiar story when a dealer puts a 30-40 thou sale and his reputation on the line to avoid a small repair. Beats the heck out of me as to how some of these guys stay in business.
jgc61sr2002
11-19-2003, 08:59 PM
Shannon - A talk with the owner is the way to go. If he or she doesn't remedy the situation they lost an excellent customer. Hope it works out in your favor.:( That's:bs:
Bigdogjim
11-19-2003, 09:41 PM
shannon corkill: It just plain sucks!
Hope the pow wow with the owner will resolve it in your favor.
Keep us posted.............
We are on your side:)
RCSignals
11-19-2003, 09:56 PM
If the dealership won't remedy it, or at least go to bat for you with Ford to have it fixed. you'll have to contact Ford yourself.
Mac, when you did your test, did you start the car to see if the air suspension came on to compensate side to side? I'm not sure it controls the air springs separately
Macon Marauder
11-20-2003, 06:14 AM
shannon,
Your situation reminds me of the problem I had with my MM when new. It came with the wrong spare. I think I talked to everyone at the dealership before it was over. My dealership has someone with the title of "Customer Satisfaction Manager" or similar. A combination of that person, pics from a member here, and persistent phone calls finally paid off.
I didn't have to talk to the owner - but I would have. Hang in there buddy!
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