After installing some 17" Rota Battles with Falken Azenis' (225-45-17) on my '02 WRX Sedan (completely stock suspension for now, only about 7500 miles on the car, no other changes) I get an occasional popping noise in the rear of the car. It usually occurs when shifting the cars weight back to front (braking) although occasionally on accelerating. It never happens at high speeds and does not happen when going over bumps. Any ideas?

 

Take the wheel off and look to see if you see any rubbing marks on the wheel well liner. If its needed you might want to get the fenders rolled so that there isn't a lip to the fender so that there is nothing to rub against.

 

Actually it turned out to be the lug nut tightness. I told the shop not to overtighten my lugs as I have had a rotor warped before. I guess they took that too far. I rechecked my lug torque a few days later and they were only around 40-47 ft-lbs. I tightened them up to 70 ft-lbs and the popping stopped.

 

So you drove it with lugnuts that weren't tight? In that case get the tire rebalanced and when they do it take a good look at the rim cause by not tightening the lugs enough you can end up doing worse damage.

 

I already pulled off the rims and inspected them for damage - they look good. I didn't put a lot of miles on them this way. The balance feels good as well.

 

Even if the wheel is slightly bent you can still have it balance. It will reduce the vibration feeling but the rim is still bent. Thats why you would have to put it on a balancing machine and actually look to see if it wobbles but still balances.

 

Perhaps after I find a tire shop I actually trust. I did roll the wheels about 10 ft to check if they spun ture and they looked good. I also don't get any vibrations at all when driving.

Thanks for the help.