Finally Swapped Out My Wheels

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion) 04/16/2020 at 09:20 • Filed to: None

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I bought these wheels in the fall, then hemmed and hawed about whether to use them as summer or winter wheels. In interest of simplicity, I used the factory wheels for my snows and put these in the shed. JUST before things got ugly, I pulled them out, cleaned them up, and had some new tires mounted along with new TPMS.

I ordered a better jack from Harbor Freight on March 30, because my little jack doesn’t do a great job lifting the Volvo - more due to the height it needs to achieve, than the weight. But my order still says PENDING and I don’t feel like pestering them, it’s not important. So yesterday I found time to make the old jack work and got these on. I like ‘em. Now I need to take my ski rack off and put the other bike attachment on.

I wanted to get the Sparco Terras in gray, but didn’t want to spend the money. Maybe I’ll paint these gray next year. They’re... kinda similar? I also wanted to go to 17's in the Sparcos, but tires are again that much more expensive, and the ride quality is one of the best parts of this car. I drive it every day over a terrible paved road, so sidewall is my friend. 

I might have to literally just go for a drive today, to make sure they’re properly balanced, etc. and that the TPMS is working. On the plus side, between the stimulus money and our tax return, I decided to pull the trigger on all new brakes for this car. If only I’d had the parts when the wheels were already off it, but... oh well. I’ll wait for the new jack before tackling that job, for sure. 

Ash78, voting early and often > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 09:58

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Nice. You know you’ll find sympathetic Small Wheelers around here. I think these are totally practical and give the brick a certain Rallye look (with the “e” on the end). 16" is really the sweet spot on so many cars. You can get tons of options at good prices.

I’m hoping to break in my new HF jack this week as we do the rear brakes on the Odyssey. I’ve done tons of brake jobs, but just enough time between them to halfway forget all the step. Thankfully they’re pretty foolproof systems. 

PyramidHat > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 10:15

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A little confused, are these Sparcos or knockoffs? Asking as I was looking at Sparcos for the Outback but was a little concerned about build quality.

That aside, looks sharp!  I’m looking to go down to a 16” wheel to get better tire choices. 

Future next gen S2000 owner > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 10:39

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I’ll add to your list of things to do, I’ll take 3 gallons of maple syrup. Please tap, boil, and bottle then send them my way. Please and thank you.

Sovande > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 11:16

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Good lord that's a lot of side meat. Color me jealous. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 11:21

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I have not taken the ski rack off yet, my wife was skiing yesterday.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 11:33

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Looks great, that sidewall looks perfect too for your needs and this car!

Where did you get the TPMSs and did you have to max out your credit card to buy them? I hear Subarus in particular play badly in recognizing a new TPMS so kind of glad I didn’t spring for the extra $ to get a dedicated set of winter wheels for our Outback, as tempted as I am to do it and to avoid having to pay a tire shop $80 twice a year to swap the tires out.

EL_ULY > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 11:48

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niiicceee

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 04/16/2020 at 12:33

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Indeed, I had 17's on my first bmw wagon, sold them and never looked back. It ran 205/55/16 and that was the same as Corolla, Civic, and a bunch of other really common cars.

I really *wanted* to break in the new jack. But I cannot complain, so I will not. Like I said, I’ll wait to do the brakes on the Volvo. I don’t want to lift that car again with the old jack if I can help it. It didn’t fall off, per se, but it did kind of, that is what jack stands are for, and they were in place. Not again, nope. 

functionoverfashion > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 04/16/2020 at 12:34

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I think the aftermarket TPM sensors themselves are coming down in price. TireRack sells them for well under $100/ea when you get a full set of wheels & tires, like I did for my wife’s Mini. My shop got them for about $50 but I’m not sure where from. I also cannot confirm yet that they work as I haven’t left the driveway, lol

Oh, and thanks! I like the look too. 

functionoverfashion > PyramidHat 04/16/2020 at 12:36

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They are MSW... somethings. Kind of look like the Sparcos but not quite. I thought about a Pegasus 5-spoke wheel (classic Volvo) but a) they’re expensive anywhere and b) I wanted something a little different. And thanks!

functionoverfashion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/16/2020 at 12:37

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Nice! We skied in the yard a couple weeks ago. Could have again last week. But we’re all done going anywhere. I’m really bummed about missing spring skiing this year. 

functionoverfashion > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/16/2020 at 12:38

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Right, I’ll get on that. It’s amazing how much sap it takes to make a gallon. I think it’s 40 to 1. But lots of people do it in small batches, why not? 

Ash78, voting early and often > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 12:39

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For quick jobs, I usually leave the car on the jack, but with the jackstands touching the car as a backup. It’s a tradeoff between stressing the jack too much , but also not wanting to do too many up&down cycles, each of which is a possible failure point.

For brakes, I’ll use stands. And hopefully my wife will notice and not just hop in the car, backing it right off the stands. That’s always in the back of my mind.

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 04/16/2020 at 13:11

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Exactly, the jackstand was there, and it kind of fell off the jack but with no consequence. The brake rotor did scrape up the inside of the wheel a little.

I might even get a new set of jackstands, the one I have is quite small. 

Sovande > functionoverfashion 04/16/2020 at 13:25

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You made a good choice avoiding the Pegasus. They bend very easily. 

functionoverfashion > Sovande 04/16/2020 at 13:31

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Interesting. I also think I made a good choice avoiding the car that came with them, the V70R; at least as far as reliability. I’d love a manual V70R... but yeah.