Hello, newbie here. I have an '07 Accent 2dr htbk sport model with the low profile 16" wheels stock. I have the infamous ps pump squeal when I turn the steering wheel over, sometimes not even all the way over. I went to a repair shop and they've seen three of these sport models with the same issue. Replacing the ps pump has worked in one vehicle but not for the other. Now they have mine in their records.
The mechanic thinks the problem is possibly caused by Hyundai using the same ps pump in all Accent models; perhaps the 16" low profile wheels and tires on the sport model are causing a load on the pump that isn't caused by 15" wheels on other models? I was also told when I bought this that the suspension is different too; perhaps these both contribute to the ps squeal?
My question: I need new tires anyway, so can I get 15" tires and rims and install them on the sport model instead of staying with 16" tires and rims? Any insights would be much appreciated
I got some 15" as an upgrade to my OEM 14s. There are less good choices for tires size than the 16". Never heard of the PS squeal as a problem. Sounds like the belt tension is not right.
When I put on new belts I got some PS noise. It turned out to be not the PS belt but the alternator belt that also drives the PS pump pulley.
Replace alternator belt with new soft / pliable rubber drive belt that has "grip",, and make sure that belt is tight.. it only have 30% grip on water pump pulley, where as P/S belt only has 360 degree grip combined via water pump and P/S pump pulley, thus any load imparted by P/S pump for making pressure will stall the loose belted water pump pulley,, hence the squeel,, sometimes you can stand there and watch pulley stall...... make sure belt driving the water pump is tight, and belt pliable to provide good grip to drive the works
Kinda oldest / most common question here with Accent and Elantra P/S both sharing the same design for P/S pump drive
Look at A/C belt... if it is full of cracks, time to do 3 belts as a set... usually good indication they have 60,000+ mile, and time for timing belt..
Ok, thanks sbr711, that sounds like it might be the issue, since the mechanic did say he saw the pulley stall on some of the other vehicles he's seen. The belts were all replaced just before I bought the vehicle ( a few months ago), so he said they were in good condition. Any brand name you can recommend for a "soft/pliable" alt belt?
Regardless of the squeal issue, I'd still like to know if I can put 15" wheels on this vehicle instead of keeping the 16's. We live in an area where the winters mean lots of rain and occasional slush and snow, and the selection for 15" tires for these kinds of conditions are much better (and cheaper) than 16". Or will this change too many aspects of the car's handling (speedometer, braking, ??)
You have to match total diameter of the wheel and tire so the speedo and odo are still the same as factory. Which btw may not be all that accurate. I run 185/60/15 the odo error is 1.1% low. OM was 175/75/14
Here's a good site to judge the differences compared to the OEM size for wheels and tires. Beware the offset as this should stay close to OEM.
As long as you run a brand name belt that is 100% belt, not "cogged",, all should be well.. other issue is aftermarket belts typically on the long side, thus you lose some adjustment down the road after belt stretch.
Tires/wheels, for snows, if the 15's is easier to get at decent price than 16's, then run with it.. try to stay close to OE, follow the "-1" thing and should be fine.. My Toyota came with 175-70-13 on steel wheel, so ihave same size snows on the steels,, my dry tires is 185-60-14 on aluminum MR2 wheel..
i went to 195 55 15 from 14 and it was pretty good, the ride is very similar but the width is great. I got the konig feathers and like them a lot, I transferred the tpms. With 15s you get less choices in tires but the weight is similar to 14s and depending on what wheels you get you can go relatively wide, and good tires with stiff side walls wont make the handling too sloppy. If you do get new wheels pay attention to the weight, keep it under 15 lbs per wheel.
Since you have 16s I'd just get a set of 14 or 15 inch steelies for winter though.
I have an '09 and decided against the 15" wheels...wish I had done it.
However, I have sure found more choices for 15" than 14"! The 14s are disappearing in the US, and when I find a tire I like they are either sold out and discontinued, or there are 2 left. MY particular car has FOUR tires...
My S00BAR00 has 15s and I can find tires all over the place.
Where are you at? Gardner/Leominster/Wor-chester?
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