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Can smaller size tires affect the transmission

Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE CHARGER
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,288 MILES
Hello, I been running around trying to get answers on tire sizes and how they affect my transmission. So I bought this car and it had 22" aftermarket wheels on it, shortly after buying the car the transmission went out. So I spent a good amount of money to rebuild it, they didn't really mention the wheels affecting the transmission I pretty much found that out later. The original factory size for this model is 255/60R18, the ones I was driving on are 265/35ZR22 which is way off from original factory. So I don't have much money and I'm desperately trying to not mess up my transmission again. I ran into a set of wheels that went to a newer model, the size on those are 235/35R18, they all the same size and tire and everything and they're in great shape. So with that said can I go ahead and slap these new ones on or should I wait and put a 255/60 tire on it? I also tried putting one on in the front and back and the front is really close to the caliper, not touching but close, it's got a slightly better distance with a small spacer, and in the rear it was hitting the back of the fender until I put a spacer on it. I haven't put these on it yet but if I do like they are they're probably going to need the spacers I'm already using on the aftermarket ones. Let me know your thoughts. I appreciate you guys!
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 11:31 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,941 POSTS
The 22 inch tires are actually close to the stock tire diameter which is the biggest issue. The 235/35-18 are almost 3 inches off of the stock size in diameter and shouldn't be run on that car. It isn't only the transmission but the ABS, speedometer, transmission shifting, handling and more that would be seriously effected by running a tire that small. Plus tire spacers are never a good idea as those also can do damage to the bearings and handling.
I would probably try to find some rims that are closer to stock and run the correct sized tire to get the correct diameter.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
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Steve, I'm sorry I put the tire size in wrong. The wheels in question are 235/55R18. I don't know I typed in wrong, but does that make any difference? Thanks
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 1:25 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Well, they would be slightly better. Those would still be almost 2 inches shorter than the stock size. Still not a size I would try to run.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
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  • 176 POSTS
Thanks Steve, so I should go ahead and just put the right size tire on them then? Thanks for your help!
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,941 POSTS
I would if the rims fit without spacers. I've seen spacers fail a lot. Or if you can get them for a good price, maybe sell off both of those sets and buy some you like that bolt right on with some nice tires. Check places like Tire rack and see if you can get a nice combo to fit. I did that with the Journey we have. The stock rims got damaged by potholes so I got some nicer rims and some Continental tires for it. Price for the rims and tires was better than the local price for just tires!
Or look and see what the optional rim and tire sizes are. They had a few for that car.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
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I got the right size tires on them now, I got a good deal for a matching set of Michelin's, the rims are just temporary until I can find the originals because the offset isn't correct, they're incredibly hard to find and I look everywhere, even junk yards only have 1 or 2 at a time. The rims I'm wanting to put on later are demon replicas, the picture below isn't my charger but one I saw on Facebook and it's what they would look like on mine. The problem with those is that the smallest is 20", if I were to get these would they be okay? If I made the overall wheel size close to factory size? Thank you Steve!
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 AT 6:03 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,941 POSTS
The biggest thing to match it the overall diameter. Then the offset. The diameter doesn't need to be perfect but you want it real close. The OEM tire diameter is 30 inches. If you look at Tire Rack they have the Sport Muscle SM73 which is a twin to the rim in the picture. A 255/50-20 tire on that rim would match the diameter of the factory set up.
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
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Okay, I'll use that info when go for them. Thank you so much Steve!
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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They may have those in a 19 inch as well but I didn't check. The thing to keep in mind is that the smaller the sidewall of the tire gets the stiffer the ride and easier it is to damage the tire and rim with curbs and potholes. It's one of the downfalls of the low profile tire and rims common today. It's also why those rims are hard to find in the salvage yards, they get damaged easily.
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
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Yeah, I learned that with the wheels that were on it when I bought the car, you can feel every bump in the road, it definitely sacrifices ride quality and steering response. Thank you for all your help. I definitely appreciate it!
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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You're welcome. Thank you for using 2CarPros.
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Friday, September 11th, 2020 AT 1:25 AM

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