Steel rims for all season tires

[physhy]

2008 Mazda 3 GT:

Spring came and I had to replace my all season tires. I have been using the same steel rims ( 16" ) for 4 years now. This year I got a good deal from a friend for 4 ironman imove 16" tires. I know they are in the lower end of the spectrum but most reviews I found were very good with an avg in most sites if 4.1 or above, so I decided to get a set.

Took them to my mechanic, took out the winters and mounted the new tires.
As soon as I hopped on the highway a felt strong vibrations in the steering wheel. Read everywhere and most said very likely tires so I took it back and they re balanced them. Took it for another spin and no better. Finally took them to the dealership and after 1.5 hours they said it could be 1 or more tired and 1 rim that had an issue.

Just purchased 4 new rims with OE specs from Costco and tire place sent me 4 new ironman I moves to replace.

Just took them to costco and they only wanted to mount and balance not install and the mechanic said that they didn't want to install in case any issue they didn't want me going back.

So now I have 4 brand new OE steel rims and 4 brand new ironman imoves. I will install on the car myself and crossing my fingers it was some faulty tires or rims.

Is it in general a bad idea to use steel rims for summer/all season tires? I know they are heavier but would that increase the chances if vibration after installation?

Thank you for you guys comments in advance.

[physhy]

Forgot to add the dealership have an ok on all suspension parts.

[staax]

To answer your question: No, there's nothing wrong with using steel rims for any tire (unless it's like a set of slicks). Most small compacts come with steelies from the factory unless you upgrade your trim.

Are they genuine Mazda 3 steelies, sometimes "within OE specs" doesn't cut it trust me? Hub bore 67.1mm?

Where do you feel the vibration? Front/Rear? I know you already got all new tires and rims but you can always swap the tires around the car and try to follow the culprit.

Generally a vibration can be caused by a rim that's not seated properly (hub rings can help), improperly balanced rim, severe uneven tread wear, suspension components such as a sway bar, end link, tie rod etc.

You really should mount the new rims and tires and then tell us if you still have a problem.

[physhy]

I ordered them using the rim PDF document and had this info:

Mazda

3 2.3L Year: 04-09 Bolt pat.: 5-114.3 Bolts: 12x1.50 Hex: 21mm OEM Dia.: 16"/17"

I can't see anything about hub bore specs maybe that's why they classify as O.E.?

There were three options to choose from: O.E. / Hubcentric / Universal
I ordered 4 of the O.E.

Will install myself after they call me to pick them up, crossing my fingers the issue it's fixed with new rims and tires. Not sure they would take the tires back so might have to put them on kijiji and get a better set, but hoping for the best. Thank you for your info.

[physhy]

Happy to report that vibration is completely gone!

Tires have hydrogen now, all 4 new tires new same ironman imove as before but new rims, the ones I had before look different and they came with my hankook I pike which are awesome!

So not sure still what exactly what it was as I did rotate tires and the vibration was all the same so my best guess as the imoves are not exactly high end and made in China, I got a set that turned out to be lemons.

I'm weary about using the sane rims again for my winters, don't really remember any issues when I took them in the spring but would love another set of the same rims.

[staax]

Glad to hear your vibration is gone.

Are you talking about using the same rims as in the ones that were giving you a bad vibration?

You could have a bent rim too... test using this method. It's not 100% accurate but it'll give you an idea. If you have 1 bad rim, just buy a new one and put the tire on that opposed to buying all new rims.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zt6GW0VhqQ

[XTOTHEL]

By Hydrogen do you mean Nitrogen?

[XBTech]

Never seen "hydrogen" in tires lol

[staax]

I'm pretty sure he meant nitrogen... and just incase this question is coming... YES you can mix normal air with the nitrogen in your tire... and NO you do not need to keep putting nitrogen in your tires.

[sarujo]

:facepalm:facepalm





Tires have hydrogen now, all 4 new tires new same ironman imove as before but new rims, the ones I had before look different and they came with my hankook I pike which are awesome!

[m_bisson]

Nitrogen is a scaaaaaammmm. Hydrogen is dangerous, as is oxygen. Stick with regular air.

[Default User]

I prefer helium in my tires