Tires: Toyota solara tire size, proper wheels, toyota solara

Question
I just bought Goodyear Eagle Response tires for my son's 1999 Toyota Solara.  The old tire size read P205-65R15, which is the size they replaced.  However, the new tires are rubbing the springs on both sides on the rear of the car.  The tire store is saying someone replaced the factory wheels with the wrong size wheels and we need to buy the proper wheels.  These are not chrome alloys or anything special, just steel wheels.  My question is how did he get by driving like this for over 2 years without having any problems?  Why would anyone replace steel wheels for steel wheels?  Does this sound legitimate to you?

Thanks for your help,

Barry Law

Answer
Barry,

You asked:  "My question is how did he get by driving like this for over 2 years without having any problems?"

There is some variation in actual tire dimensions. There is some justification for making the tire a bit large, and some for making the tire a bit small.  The question at this point is:  Did you happen to be lucky the first time or was there a problem before you arrived on the scene?

You also asked:  "Why would anyone replace steel wheels for steel wheels?"

If an earlier owner wanted fancy wheels and financed it with selling the old wheels, then when he went to selll the car, he wanted to keep the wheels (There's much more money to be made selling the wheels separately.), so he replaced the wheels with steel units that had a slightly more positive offset because they fit a variety of vehicles.

You asked:  "Does this sound legitimate to you?"

Yes.

What you didn't ask:  "What should I do?"

Go back to the retailer again and tell him you are dis-satisfied with his involvement.  After all, it was his folks who should have seen this was a problem when they installed the tires.   Why did his folks let you drive out of the shop with an unsafe condition.  Surely there is something he can do - like find a tire that is a bit small - same brand as before?

Besides, other tire manufacturers offer a 30 day satisfaction program with no questions asked.  Can't he do something similar with the Goodyear's?  BTW threaten a lawsuit, but phrase it that you would like to avoid one.

If that doesn't work, call Goodyear up and ask them similar questions.