Will Firestone Coil-Rite Air Springs Stop Sag and Bottoming Out on 2009 Nissan Altima w/20 Inch Rims

Updated 06/11/2014 | Published 06/10/2014

Question:

I recently installed 20 inch wheels I went from a 215/60/16 to a 245/35/20 and the back rear suspension sags and now my rear tires rub against the inner wheel wells when I have my kids in the back will the Firestone - Suspension Load Leveling Kit prevent my sag? Or should I use the bump stops? Just not sure if the bump stops with help and not sag or will the leveling kit help keep the car leveled and prevent it from sagging? Can u please help me out? Thank you

asked by: Gary A

Expert Reply:

This is a little strange considering that a 215/60-16 tire is about 26.16 inches in diameter and a 245/35-20 is about 26.75 inches in diameter. That is a difference of only 0.59 inches which is in between 9/16 and 5/8 of an inch. Half of that extra height is applied to the upper have of the tire so only about 5/16 inches closer to the wheel well ceiling. I just assumed there was more space in the wheel well.

Regardless of the wheel well space using the Firestone Coil-Rite springs # F4105 will help. They will not allow the rear of the vehicle to sag.

But the 2008 Nissan Altima should not be sagging with tires and wheels that are basically the same diameter. When this was done, did they have to modify anything for the larger size? If they had to change the suspension at all, such as cutting the springs, then the Coil-Rite springs will not fit. They could have also needed to adjust the front suspension to compensate for the larger size which would push back and down on the rear suspension.

The rubbing issue could also be due to the fact that the larger size is 1-3/16 inches wider than the stock size.

expert reply by: Michael H