Micra, wide wheels and tyres, bump steering.

It's because the wheel rim offset is such that the steering axis no longer points through the centre of the tyre width. In other words the wrong rims for the vehicle. If you fit wider wheels the extra width needs to be split evenly on either side of the rim relative to the hub flange face.

You might also want to check that there are no spacers fitted behind the rims which will give the same effect. However they might be there as a bodge measure to stop the wider rims fouling suspension or brake components so you still wouldn't be able to remove them. Either fit standard wheels back on or sell the current ones and buy the correct wider ones for the vehicle.

Aha! People have told me it's down to the tyres but nobody explained why it happens.. and I like to know these things. Thanks for the explanation.

I presume it's ok to continue using the car if I'm prepared to put up with the bump steering effect? Do you know where I might find alloys made specifically for this car?

Thanks for the info.

Yup. That's my take on the problem as well. If wider rims and tyres are fitted, the wheel offset, with or without spacers, should ideally be the same as the wheels originally fitted by the car manufacturer. Bearing in mind that the maximum width the wheels and tyres that can be fitted, is usually governed by the clearance to the inner wing, and/or suspension/steering parts. Mike.

They don't have to be made for the car: just the correct size, PCD, and offset. Given it's a 10 year old car, I'd be ringing up the breakers to get some wheels.

Yup. You can tweek the toe in but you'll get increased tyre wear.

If you haven't mentioned this to your insurers, you may find that they will consider this an (undeclared) 'modification' in the case of a claim.

Bah (Bah ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

If the offset's a mile out, you may well find it eats front wheel bearings.

Y'mean aftermarket chav rims that'll actually fit? Halfrauds or fleaBay. Or if you mean standard-fit rims, then your local scrappy.

I've never actually heard of anyone this has happened to.

I suppose if you've got 20" rims on a Micra, they'd probably have a point.

If the wheels are no bigger than the biggest ones Nissan fit, there's probably nothing to worry about at all, the car more likely than not just needs the geometry setting correctly - note, I said geometry, *not* tracking.

This doesn't mean going to the local branch of Kwik Fit and letting some spotty 17 yr old oik attack the track rod ends with an oxy torch, which is what a lot of people seem to think is the best way of sorting any wheel alignment issues...

I think most likely is that they wouldn't replace non-standard wheels. You never know these days though.

I learned that lesson the hard way a long time ago. After having the local ATS oik wind the wrong[1] trackrod end in and discovering the problem all along was a damper insert coming adrift when I gave up and looked myself.

Some of it will be down to the tyres, I guess you are on 40 profile tyres and probably Extra load? A standard tyre would have some sidewall give to lessen the effect on the steering wheel.

Hmm, there is a rumbling noise I hear as I'm slowing to a halt and I've been wondering if a wheel bearing could be the source of it. I also thought it could be the wider tyres, but it does seem to make the whole body of the car drone, which I wouldn't have thought the tyres would do.

I meant pretty alloys (yes, chavvy!)like are fitted at the mo. They might be causing my little steering problem but they do look well. I've just checked prices though and I was shocked! I'll either tolerate this bump steer or go back to standard wheels.

I declared the alloy wheels to my insurer but not the bump steering effect (they didn't ask about that!)