Upgraded to 19" wheels now braking is funny..

[LatinDragonXJC]

I upgraded to 19x 7.5" 5-zigen 5ZRs Copse. The offset is +40. I've noticed when I brake it "pinches" to one side. Any ideas why?

When I installed these wheels, I just basically swapped them. Was I supposed to get them balanced? Get an alignment?

And my final question, for those of you with 19s on dropped Gen 1s, did you have to roll the fenders? And which suspension setup you went with?

Again sorry for the newb questions (even though I've been here long enough ) Thanks.

[Mole]

if they're not balanced, that can be a reason.

if you aren't rubbing, no need to roll the fender.

[PhreakdOut]

Run through your head all the things touched between the old wheels and tires and the new set. Were the calipers painted? Did you do a brake job? Change struts, springs, etc... It's usually affected by something else you thought wasn't related.

1) Wider tires will have a larger "contact patch" to the road. Any alignment issues or braking problems are amplified. This may be something pre-existing that you didn't notice before.

2) ALWAYS align after dropping. Was this done before?

3) Jack the car up and put on stands. Remove the front wheels and check your brake lines. Any of the hard lines pinched or bent? If so, replace.

4) Is the wear even on the brake pads? A bad caliper can cause uneven braking. Maybe a caliper piston is sticking or has a torn bellows. Perhaps aggravated when painting or removing. (You get the idea.)

5) How is the condition of the rotor? One rotor have grooves from never being turned when they should have been? Less braking surface area can cause this.

6) Tire pressure same on both sides?

7) Rubbing the fender or bottom side of the strut's spring seat can cause this. Look for marks on the tire or strut housing or spring seat. The old tires probably cleared just fine. When you brake, the tire widens under load. It may be so close that one side rubs against the strut tube.

There are a ton of things ... just start doing the process of elimination.

[rollaevo99]

^^^ what Brian said I've been there done that...

[PhreakdOut]

^^ Oops, I just noticed. #7, I said the tire widens under braking. Yes this is true at the bottom but not at the strut. Sidewall deflection is minimal at the top. Disregard that comment.

Hey, I'm willing to point out my own mistakes!

I still think there's in interference there. That part needs to be checked.

[LatinDragonXJC]

Run through your head all the things touched between the old wheels and tires and the new set. Were the calipers painted?Did you do a brake job? Change struts, springs, etc... It's usually affected by something else you thought wasn't related.

1) Wider tires will have a larger "contact patch" to the road. Any alignment issues or braking problems are amplified. This may be something pre-existing that you didn't notice before.

2) ALWAYS align after dropping. Was this done before?

3) Jack the car up and put on stands. Remove the front wheels and check your brake lines. Any of the hard lines pinched or bent? If so, replace.

4) Is the wear even on the brake pads? A bad caliper can cause uneven braking. Maybe a caliper piston is sticking or has a torn bellows. Perhaps aggravated when painting or removing. (You get the idea.)

5) How is the condition of the rotor? One rotor have grooves from never being turned when they should have been? Less braking surface area can cause this.

6) Tire pressure same on both sides?

7) Rubbing the fender or bottom side of the strut's spring seat can cause this. Look for marks on the tire or strut housing or spring seat. The old tires probably cleared just fine. When you brake, the tire widens under load. It may be so close that one side rubs against the strut tube.

There are a ton of things ... just start doing the process of elimination.

WOW Now that's a reply. Thanks for the great response.

They basically just slapped them on. I haven't touched anything else. No paint on the calipers. Tire pressure on all are 40 psi (is it too high?), tire guy told me since they're 19, higher pressure.

There is no drop, bone stock setup. The brake setup is almost new, I did those in about march (Brembo blanks and Hawk Pads).

I definitely need to inspect #7 on your list. At 7.5, isn't that pretty slim for a tire?