Hey guys. I finaly saved up and got myself some 19 inch gunmetal sf challenges ;P It looks a killer but I have a few questions..

When I was installing the front, there was a bolt or nut thing that was getting stuck w/ the center cap. It was red in color.. and only the front has them. In order for my wheels to fit, the guy had to remove it because the center cap did not give enough clearance for it. What exactly is that thing for? Is that alright?

Also, when i'm driving, it sounds very noisy. It almost sounds like something is rubbing but i really don't know what. What's the worst that can be happening that's making that sound? I understand 19 inch wheels are thinner which means more noise, but it was ridiculous. I could hear it over my music! Worries me a lot. All the guy did was remove the lugs and old tires, put on the new ones and put the lugs back on. Doesn't seem like anything can go wrong.. right?

 

The bolt just comes off. It is so you don't rotate tires from back to front as they are different sizes. What kind of tires? I experienced alot of road noise with my 19's.

 

The bolt that was removed from the front was just there to make sure that the stock rears are not put onto the front by accident. Its perfectly fine to remove them.

I just put on my own SF Challenges and I am not having any trouble with tire noise, as a matter of fact, the ride is much quieter and smoother than stock. I think the sound may have something to do with the model tire you are running. What did you put on?

 

beat me to it Tyler... we think alike.

 

they're dunlop s9000's. I noticed it comes primarily in the front but that could be because i'm sitting in the front.

Also, i'm not sure if i have hub centric- rings installed? I'm not really sure what that is but would that have an effect on what i'm talking about here? I'm assuming the volk sf challenges are hub centric right? Any help would be nice, thanks

 

I put hub centric rings on the fronts, but not on the back. This is only because the vendor only sent me two. I am running Falkens and they are very smooth and quiet.

 

I have hub-centric rings on mine. No vibration or excess noise. Maybe that is your problem.

The rings are just small black plastic rings that snap into the back of the center of your wheels before you mount them. They ensure that your wheels mate perfectly with the hub of your car. They are vehicle specific, and should have come in the packaging with your wheels.

 

Hmm, mine came with 4 metal ones. I was under the impression Volks always came with 4 hub centric rings. I doubt that is what is causing the noise problem though.

 

My SP 9000's are very smooth and quiet. I also have the metal hub-centric rings on all four.

 

I found out i have 1 ring and missing 3. Hmm.. can these rings be purchased locally? Like any wheel store that sells volks? Or do i HAVE to purchase them online?

 

humm... San marino, imalazeeass You could get thoes hub-centric ring (not Volk, anyway they all works) at Discount Tire Center. (626) 579-1182. They are located at El Monte. They have most sizes in stock. You could either get the aluminum or plastic one. They do the same thing and the prices are same too, about 7 dollars each.

By the way I have only 2 for the front too.