Inspection and Preparation

1. Inspect the Wheels and Accessories

After opening the packaging, carefully verify the following:

• The wheel model and quantity match the order.
• The diameter, width, offset, bolt pattern, and center bore are correct.
• The color and finish are correct.
• The wheels show no obvious shipping damage.
• The center caps, valve stems, hub-centric rings, spacers, and other supplied accessories are complete.

2. Perform a Bare-Wheel Test Fit Before Mounting the Tires

Confirm the following:

• The bolt pattern matches the vehicle.
• The center bore and hub-centering method are correct.
• The wheel mounting face sits fully and evenly against the vehicle hub.
• The offset and wheel position are as intended.
• There is no interference between the wheel and brake caliper.
• There is no interference with the shock absorber, suspension, steering components, or any other vehicle parts.

After installing the bare wheel, slowly rotate it through one complete revolution. Confirm that the inner barrel, back of the spokes, and intended wheel-weight locations will not contact the brake caliper or any other component.

Brake Caliper Clearance

For vehicles with aftermarket brake systems or limited clearance, a minimum clearance of approximately 3–4 mm or more between the wheel and brake caliper is recommended.

The required clearance must also account for:

• Caliper dimensions
• Normal wheel deflection under load
• Wheel-weight locations
• Requirements specified by the vehicle or brake-system manufacturer

Tire Selection and Mounting

1. Tire and Wheel-Width Compatibility

Tires with the same nominal width but different aspect ratios may have different approved wheel-width ranges.

The following table is provided only as a quick reference for passenger-car tire and wheel-width compatibility:

Tire Compatibility Notice

The approved wheel-width range may vary according to:

• Complete tire size
• Tire section width
• Aspect ratio
• Tire construction
• Tire brand and model
• The wheel-width range approved by the tire manufacturer

Before installation, always verify the approved wheel-width range published by the manufacturer of the selected tire.

If the tire manufacturer’s specifications differ from this table, the tire manufacturer’s specifications must take precedence.

This table must not be treated as final installation guidance for stretched tires, stance builds, track use, off-road use, or other non-standard tire configurations.

2. Mounting the Tire

Tires must be mounted using professional tire-changing equipment.

During installation:

• Confirm that the tire and wheel sizes match exactly.
• Confirm the wheel’s required mounting method: front mounting or reverse mounting.
• Use appropriate mounting tools and lubricants.
• Prevent the tire-changing equipment from damaging the wheel finish.
• Do not allow tools to scratch or make direct contact with visible areas of the rim or spokes.
• Seat the tire beads in accordance with the requirements of the tire and equipment manufacturers.

If the tire cannot be mounted normally or the bead does not seat correctly, stop the operation and recheck the tire and wheel specifications.

After installation, adjust the cold tire pressure according to the vehicle manufacturer’s tire-pressure label, owner’s manual, or applicable technical specifications.

Dynamic Balancing

After the tire has been mounted, perform a complete dynamic balance check.

For conventional passenger-car wheels, two-plane dynamic balancing—B+C mode where supported—is recommended.

Based on the balancing machine’s readings, position the wheel weights appropriately on the inner and outer correction planes to achieve proper dynamic balance.

When installing wheel weights:

• Ensure the mounting surface is clean and provides sufficient adhesion.
• Do not install weights in unsuitable locations.
• Confirm that the wheel weights will not interfere with the brake caliper.
• Repeat the dynamic balance check after installing the weights.

Installing the Wheels on the Vehicle

1. Inspect the Mounting Surfaces

Before installation, confirm that:

• The vehicle hub mounting surface is clean and flat.
• There is no significant corrosion, dirt, sand, or other foreign material.
• The wheel mounting surface is clean.
• The wheel sits fully and evenly against the vehicle hub.

Foreign material or improper contact between the wheel and vehicle mounting surfaces may cause wheel runout, vibration, improper centering, or abnormal loading of the fasteners.

2. Hub-Centric Rings

If the wheel’s center bore is larger than the vehicle’s hub diameter and the fitment requires a hub-centric ring, install a ring of the correct specification.

Confirm that:

• The hub-centric ring dimensions are correct.
• The ring fits correctly into both the wheel and the vehicle hub.
• The ring is not excessively loose, damaged, or deformed.

3. Wheel Spacers

When spacers are required, confirm that:

• The spacer specification is correct.
• The spacer thickness matches the fitment requirements.
• The centering method is correct.
• The spacer sits fully and evenly against the mounting surface.
• The matching bolts or studs provide the correct and sufficient thread engagement.

Do not stack multiple spacers or otherwise alter the wheel position without professional fitment confirmation.

4. Inspect the Wheel Bolts or Lug Nuts

Before installation, confirm that:

• The thread diameter is correct.
• The thread pitch is correct.
• The bolt or nut seat type is correct.
• The bolt length is correct.
• The available thread engagement meets the vehicle and installation requirements.

Using fasteners with the wrong seat type, thread specification, or length may prevent the wheel from being secured correctly and may cause vibration, loosening, or damage to the mounting area.

5. Tighten the Wheel

After positioning the wheel correctly on the vehicle, start all wheel bolts or lug nuts by hand.

Once the wheel is fully seated against the mounting surface, gradually pre-tighten the fasteners using a diagonal crisscross pattern.

Final tightening must be completed using a properly calibrated torque wrench.

Electric or pneumatic impact tools may be used to assist with installation, but must not be relied upon to establish the final tightening torque.

General Passenger-Vehicle Torque Reference

The factory-specified torque for certain vehicles may be significantly higher or lower than the reference values shown above.

Post-Installation Inspection

After installation, recheck the following:

• The wheel sits fully and evenly against the vehicle mounting surface.
• All bolts or lug nuts have been tightened to the correct torque.
• Safe clearance remains between the wheel and brake caliper.
• There is no interference with the shock absorber, suspension, or other components.
• The tire does not make abnormal contact with the fender, wheel arch, or bodywork.
• The wheel weights do not interfere with the brake caliper or other components.
• Any required hub-centric rings and spacers have been installed correctly.

If the vehicle has an aftermarket brake system, also inspect:

• The caliper mounting condition
• The caliper-bracket installation
• Static clearance between the caliper and wheel
• The position of the caliper relative to the brake disc
• The tightening of all related fasteners to the specified torque

Torque Recheck After Installation

Troubleshooting

Vehicle Vibration at Highway Speeds

Possible Causes

• Inaccurate wheel-and-tire balancing
• Excessive inherent imbalance in the wheel or tire
• Detached internal acoustic foam inside the tire
• Abnormal tire wear or deformation
• Incorrect or improperly installed hub-centric rings
• Foreign material on the mounting surfaces
• Improper wheel centering
• Wheel deformation
• Abnormal suspension or chassis components

Recommended Inspection

Begin by rechecking the dynamic balance of the complete wheel-and-tire assembly.

If necessary, remove the tire and inspect the wheel separately to determine whether the issue originates from the wheel, the tire, or an unsuitable combination of the two.

If the wheel tests normally, continue inspecting the tire, hub-centering components, and vehicle suspension system.

For highway-speed vibration that is difficult to diagnose, visit a professional workshop equipped with a road-force balancing machine.

Vehicle Vibration During Braking

If steering-wheel or body vibration occurs mainly while the brakes are being applied, the brake system should be inspected first.

Possible Causes

• Brake-disc deformation or abnormal thickness variation
• Abnormal brake-disc mounting surfaces
• Uneven or abnormal brake-pad wear
• Incorrect caliper position
• Installation problems involving an aftermarket caliper bracket
• Other brake-system abnormalities

If the vehicle uses an aftermarket brake system, contact the brake-system manufacturer or a qualified installation workshop for further inspection.

Abnormal Noise After Installation

Do not immediately assume that abnormal noise originates from the wheel itself.

The diagnosis should consider the vehicle speed, road conditions, braking condition, and the location from which the noise appears to originate.

Begin by checking:

• Whether the fastener specification and seat type are correct
• Whether the tightening torque is correct
• Whether the hub-centric rings are installed correctly
• Whether any wheel spacers are installed correctly
• Whether the wheel and vehicle mounting surfaces are clean and fully seated
• Whether the tire-pressure sensor is loose
• Whether there is any foreign material inside the tire
• Whether the brake system has any abnormal condition
• Whether the suspension, ball joints, or other chassis components are loose or damaged

Diagnosing Noise from an Aftermarket Brake Caliper

Some aftermarket brake systems may produce noise under particular operating conditions because of minor assembly tolerances involving the caliper, caliper bracket, mounting surfaces, or related connection points.

First confirm that:

• The caliper mounting bolts have been tightened to the specified torque.
• The caliper bracket is installed and secured correctly.
• The caliper is positioned correctly.
• There is is no contact between the caliper and wheel.
• The caliper is positioned correctly relative to the brake disc.
• All related mounting surfaces are clean and fully seated.
• The noise has been confirmed as originating from the caliper or caliper-bracket mounting area.

If a professional inspection confirms that the noise is caused by a minor assembly clearance or fitment issue at the relevant mounting point, a MAKSTTON copper shim may be used for adjustment where appropriate.

After installing a copper shim, recheck:

• The contact and seating of all mounting surfaces
• The caliper mounting condition
• Safe clearance between the caliper and wheel
• The tightening torque of all related fasteners
• Whether the brake disc rotates freely
• Whether any abnormal vibration or noise remains

Any adjustment involving the brake system must be performed by a qualified professional with relevant experience.

Non-Standard Tire Configurations

Some stance-oriented vehicles may use stretched tires or other non-standard tire configurations.

These configurations may affect:

• Tire-sidewall support
• The wheel’s protection against road impacts
• The risk of tire-bead unseating
• Tire-sidewall loading
• The vehicle’s overall safety margin during normal road use

The narrower the tire is in relation to the conventionally recommended range, the more exposed the wheel edge may be to direct impacts from potholes, road debris, or curbs.

For normal road use, choose a tire size that falls within the approved wheel-width range specified by the tire manufacturer.

Stretched tires, stance-oriented configurations, and other non-standard combinations must be evaluated and installed by a professional with relevant experience.

Important Safety Notice

Unless authorized by MAKSTTON, do not perform any of the following modifications or repairs:

• Enlarging the center bore or any other opening
• Modifying the bolt holes
• Machining the center bore
• Machining the mounting face
• Welding
• Heat straightening
• Structural repair
• Any other machining or modification that may alter the wheel’s original structure or strength