Transfer Case Failure

[Minja]

Hi all,

Just got back from the dealership and they are claiming that the wrong tire sizes has cause my differential to fail even though I used Tire Racks Vehicle Fitment. I have a 2020 AWD Stinger GT. The description of services reads:

"...verified customers concern, upon inspection found wrong tire size causing diff/transfer case stress, kma declined at this time..."

They are claiming that the rear wheel diameter should be larger and not square as Tire Rack had recommended to me. My winter tires recommended from Tire rack are 225/45R-18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 XL on 18x8 Focal F20 BRONZE all around.

Thoughts? Thank you.

 

[cjbigcog]

I'd like to know more about this. I run staggered in the summer...squared in the winter.

 

[runner1]

What? That makes no sense. I’d call corporate.

 

[The Madhouse]

That and your windshield wiper fluid is the wrong color. They are reaching on that one. I'd fight that till the end. BBB should fix that pretty quick.

 

[nhcowboy28]

That and your windshield wiper fluid is the wrong color. They are reaching on that one. I'd fight that till the end. BBB should fix that pretty quick.

Nah bruh.

the op let the blinker fluid run low. Voids warranty on entire car when it is out.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Okay, so you are running 18" wheels and 225. How can this be the wrong size?

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I can see the damage from running different diameter tires. But from square set up?!!! Total bs.

 

[Snowwhite]

Whoever wrote that decision doesn’t know how to read tire sizes. 225/45/18=225/40/19=255/35/19 as far as total diameter is concerned. The difference between all 3 is 3 revolutions per mile.

 

[Devin]

What does staggered and square mean?

 

[vipeboy2000]

What does staggered and square mean?

staggered is where the generally front tire is a narrower/smaller size than the rear.. on rwd only models, the fronts CAN be a narrower and shorter tire than the rears, on most awd, the fronts can be narrower than the rears but not shorter unless the transfer case was designed with a specific size discrepancy front to back. Squared means just that, same tire size on all 4 corners

 

[TehYeti]

Ask them to describe in detail what changes were made to the driveline since MY19 when that size wheel/tire came from the factory...

(part# 52910-J5120)

 

[narsnail]

I as sold a Stinger with a staggered setup and a square setup for winter. Call corporate and ignore those idiots. Then go to another dealer so they don't make any money off the repair.

 

[vipeboy2000]

agreed with above... going square is less stressful to the car than even the oem staggered setup... if the tires are all the same size with each other, the car doesn't care if they are smaller or larger .. no extra stress to the transfer case at all.. the only change would be indicated speed.

 

[87and66]

That's the size that came stock on my car, so there is definitely nothing wrong there

 

[Clockwork]

That's the size that came stock on my car, so there is definitely nothing wrong there

Ask them to describe in detail what changes were made to the driveline since MY19 when that size wheel/tire came from the factory...

(part# 52910-J5120)

This. What the dealer/Kia is saying is nonsense.

 

[Hojae84]

name and shame this dealership please. absurd feedback from them
square setup poses zero issues
staggered only poses an issue if there is a significantly large difference in diameter in front vs rear (but doesn't apply to you since you have a square setup)

i run staggered in summer
square in winter
originally purchased with the square setup

 

[nhcowboy28]

Bottom line. Square vs staggered.

as long as the revolutions per mile/overall diameter is close front to rear, it won’t hurt anything.

tell that dealership to suck your radiator drain cock.

 

[nhcowboy28]

And for reference. Here’s the stock staggered tire specs.


The 225/40R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has a diameter of 26.1", a width of 9.1", mounts on a 19" rim and has 797 revolutions per mile. It weighs 23.92 lbs, has a max load of 1433 lbs, a maximum air pressure of 50 psi, a tread depth of 9.5/32" and should be used on a rim width of 7.5-9



The 255/35R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has a diameter of 26", a width of 10.2", mounts on a 19" rim and has 799 revolutions per mile. It weighs 26 lbs, has a max load of 1565 lbs, a maximum air pressure of 50 psi, a tread depth of 9.5/32" and should be used on a rim width of 8.5-10".

 

[SKStinger]

LOL! This is the worst story yet of a dealer trying to skirt the warranty. Find a new dealership and include the name of this one in this thread so that other owners can avoid them.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

lmfao wtf?