tiguy99

Speaking of which I definately need to grab a set of these tiny screws...I basically need enough to install all the center caps for each wheel. Do you guys think I can grab these at home depot? What size dimensions are they?

As for me, I just got my new Solara SLE V6 struts (MCV20 chassis of course) so now I'm ready to rock! The tires came the other day and as far as I'm concerned everything's here except for the small screws I need to mount the center caps on. Anyhow, I'm looking to see where I can have it all installed for a decent price. I'm trying not to spend too much $$ now I'm on a budget. Anyone know where I can get 4 wheels and tires installed with a wheel alignment
here in chicago? I tried the local sears but they're like we can't install your struts for liability purposes but we can sell you ours! Umm no! Plus they don't align 18" wheels. And no....I don't want to go to the dealer. No thank you...too high.

Finally, can I get spacers from the tire shops or do we have to go get them on our own? If so I can also make a trip to autozone or home depot (if they have something similar)?

aznxteddy

try some local car shops, there must be some out in chicago that will do this,

hey what size tires are u gonna use with your wheels? does 245/40/18 fit all around?

tiguy99

I was told yes. Tirerack also suggested 245/40/18 as the size available for this wheel. I had the struts installed today by a shop out south today here in Chicago. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to install the wheels and they were talking about leaving the car overnight until Monday. Uhh uhhh was my expression. Anyhow, I'm still in need of those special center cap screws and I still haven't got any answer as to what size they are. I called McGrath Lexus this morning and their parts guy said each wheel needs 10 screws total costing 5.42 per screw and he didn't even know the size. I said forget it let me find out what size they are and where I can get them and I'll go from there. Any suggestions?

aznxteddy

i dug up an old thread about replacing those screws.. still not sure of the size.. but ppl seem to just get them for free from the dealerships..
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc430-2nd-gen-2001-2010/78917-i-m-losing-the-screws-that-hold-the-center-cap-on-where-do-i-get-more.html

i spoke with a couple guys, and brandon from tirerack told me that even 235/40/18 is kinda pushing it, and that 225/40/18 is the best bet..

but if you can get the 245 to fit, thats awesome, let me know of the details! you are getting 5mm spacers for the rear though right?

tiguy99

As for the spacers the answer is yes. I'll be using them as directed by Frankwhite and Nixsun79(both who use the same wheels on their 97+ Es300 cars. As for the tire size, the funny thing is that when I purchased the wheels, two of them had the 245 size tires on already. So I did the tirerack thing and was told the size 245 is recommended for the SC430 OEM rims to replace the runflats with standard tires as everyone here seems to be doing in the SC430 miniclub. So I guess I'll be the guieni pig here as I've already purchased a brand new set of 2 Dunlop 245/40/18 tires and they're in my home ready for installation. I'm headed to home depot to look for those screw/nuts and if I get some tonight I'll be headed to sears to have the wheels installed tomorrow. I'll just have to have them aligned during the week somewhere around my job but thats ok

Nixsun79

I think that 245 might rub. The stock tire that you got with those wheels was for the SC430 not the ES300. They use completely different tire sizes.

I cant really remeber but I think that is why I had to go with the 225/40, because anything higher than that will rub.

I guess you'll find out for sure tomorrow. Keep us posted.

tiguy99

damn....I'm not sure what to do now. Should I try and sell them to sears in exchange for the 225s? And the worst part, I got some 1/4" x 1" screws and they don't even fit! Grrr I still don't knwo what size goes in these holes. So now I've got 2 problems to solve before I can put these on

tiguy99

I know this sounds like a dumb question but would these 245 tires rub with the stock spring height? What causes the wheel rubbing? Is it the width of the tire? How tall it is from the actual wheel to the top of the rubber (if measured vertically?) What. I'm lost here.

Nixsun79

lol dude, you bought standard screws. You need metric screws. I have no idea what size, but you definately cannot use standard screws on it.

What I would do about the tires, is just have the people at sears try them out and see what happens then take it from there. They might even be able to tell you if they will rub before installing.

tiguy99

I'm learning my lesson. I'm headed back to home depot with one rim boxed up so I can test it out in the store. I got an update, I was told by a Lexus tech that the depth of the screw is 1.5 inches so thats a start. I'm on it man!!!! About the tire issue, I'm thinking I can possibly do a swap for the 225 size at the store and hopefully not have to come out of pocket considering the 245s cost more than the 225s. Well maybe just a lil bit considering two of them have like 50-60% tread left

tiguy99

and the strut tower bar I'd like to have installed



Ok.....Challenge #1 solved. I've got the 5/16" x 3/4 screws and they fit perfect with the 5/16" washers. I'll know about the second one when I get to Sears later in the afternoon.

tiguy99

Damn Sears told me they don't service run flats or exchange them. I'm going to call Pep boys and find out if they can do a swap for my tires and install them today.

tiguy99

OK. They said no swaps allowed. So I'm screwed because their tires were HR rated compared to my Z rated Dunlops and they want 112 a tire for their 225/40/18 model. Its some no name brand they mentioned I forget what it was. Anyway with labor including wheel alignment and tire mounting/balancing they want 618.00. Hmm I may pass. At this point, I'm going to be the guini pig and have the tires installed as is and see what happens with my 245s. I pray they don't rub. I'm not dropping the ride or nothing like that so I pray that the tires don't rub. But what I'm confused about is the part that actually causes rubbing. Is it the tire rubbiing against the top of the wheel well, the side of it or what? I'm not sure? Can someone help me on this?

aznxteddy

diameter wise, you are fine, its the width of the tire.. from what i read.. you may be rubbing inside on the struts or something... but its not going to be rubbing with wheel well.. , main problem will just be width i think,

Nixsun79

How did you get a standard thread to fit into a metric thread? You probably just damaged all the threading on your rims by using standard screws. The screws are also supposed to mount flush with the wheel and not stick out like yours do. No washers needed.