f sport wheels on base GS 350
#16
Lexus Champion
I had an Audi with Quattro before getting my GS. I was told by dealers and tire shops that having dramatic differences in tire tread levels can cause damage to diffs. I'm pretty sure adding a staggered setup to GS AWD will be worse for it...would probably void warranty too.
#17
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All i can do is speak from experience, i have been a ase master tech for 17 years and I'm currently a Lexus master tech. i have never seen .1 diameter cause a problem on a awd system. i have seen complete bald tires in the front and new tires on the rear cause a noise in the transfer case but the noise went away when the tires were replaced.
#21
NO, you can not do such a thing. You would ruin your rear diff. It is not only about diameter, it is about the contact patch of the tire that sits on the ground. This is what is most important. On an AWD car, the unsprung weight has to be pretty much even on all four corners and the tires need to be the exact same size is order to avoid damaging your differential. This advice comes from my many years of Evo 9 and Evo X ownership.
#23
Not necessary true for all cars. Some AWD cars come with staggered setup. X5 with sport activity package comes with 315 in the back, MUCH wider than front, and it is just fine, not to mention its X5 lines. Mercedes Benz's CLS AWD comes with staggered setup. I used to own E550 4Matic and there was a big debate on if staggered setup would her E series when CLS already comes with stagggered setup.
#24
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Yes however those cars AWD systems and differentials were designed for those setups. The ECU understands how to split power and torque properly based upon those specs. Cars that do not come with staggered setup AWD's develop differential issues when different tire sizes are used. Just some advice for people who want to take it.
#27
Funny thing is my brother-in-law is a service consultant at Lexus and I referenced him with these questions and he stated that they have seen differential problems in the past on their AWD vehicles when people have ran staggered wheels and tire setups. Not always, but it has happened quite a few times. Enough that he remembers. Happens much more often in the EVO and STi community. And ofcourse, Lexus has trouble honoring their warranties in those cases as well but they have taken care of them under good will in the past as well.
Makes you quite the bright one doesn't it? Maybe im not brilliant but im just telling you what I know. If you don't want it, let me know and I will quit posting on this thread.
Makes you quite the bright one doesn't it? Maybe im not brilliant but im just telling you what I know. If you don't want it, let me know and I will quit posting on this thread.
#28
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Funny thing is my brother-in-law is a service consultant at Lexus and I referenced him with these questions and he stated that they have seen differential problems in the past on their AWD vehicles when people have ran staggered wheels and tire setups. Not always, but it has happened quite a few times. Enough that he remembers. Happens much more often in the EVO and STi community. And ofcourse, Lexus has trouble honoring their warranties in those cases as well but they have taken care of them under good will in the past as well.
Makes you quite the bright one doesn't it? Maybe im not brilliant but im just telling you what I know. If you don't want it, let me know and I will quit posting on this thread.
Makes you quite the bright one doesn't it? Maybe im not brilliant but im just telling you what I know. If you don't want it, let me know and I will quit posting on this thread.
#29
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Many people here are running staggered set ups for years, and no one has yet to destroy their differential. You can find numerous threads on this subject in IS / GS / LS forums that date back to 2006, and yet there isn't a single case that I can remember where someones differential crapped out because of staggered set up.
#30
Okay buddy. I'm glad you're so proud of your career as a mechanic but how bout you tone it back a notch huh?!? I'm trying to be friendly and offer up what knowledge I have on the subject matter. It is a public forum after all.
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