Changed wheels today - now getting pretty loud clicking - not obvious

[Redshift]

Today I got my car back from the paint shop (had the front bumper and rear bumper and hood/mirrors re-done to get rid of all the road rash) and it looks spectacular. Took off my OEM wheels and put my SSR Comp wheels on for the street. Getting a very loud ticking noise that sounds like it emanates from the shifter boot area (with windows closed) or possibly passenger side (with passenger windows open). With driver windows open, no sound is heard.

I checked the tires carefully for anything stuck in them - nothing.

The noise happens with the clutch in or out, and the frequency is directly proportional to car speed (not engine speed). Can't really hear it at low speeds but once you get to 20-30mph, it becomes obvious.

It's very annoying, and nothing seems to be making any physical contact. Anyone have any ideas?

[removed photo]

[phillym5]

WOW, that looks sharp.
Did you try to jack up the front and spin the wheel with your hand?
Or put the stock wheels on and see if it clicks then.

Or, maybe ELEVENS will chime in. He has a nack for finding obscure noises.
He'll probably make a game out of it.

[M5Joe]

Some shops will tape the wheel balance weights with aluminum duct tape. I've had one end of the tape lift and strike the brake caliper with each wheel revolution generating a surprisingly loud tick.

Joe

[Redshift]

I will get some better photos tomorrow. The paint looks showroom fresh, so I'm pumped.

I did jack and spin the fronts with my hand - no noise. I can't put the stock wheel back on because there are no tires on them any more.

[Redshift]

Yup, I did check that - there is no contact anywhere with the wheel weights to calipers. Good idea though.

[kees]

Have you checked the studs being tightened sufficiently? An insufficiently tightened wheel will generate a ticking sound as it strikes the caliper.

[ELEVENS]

Brian: Your car looks GREAT!!!

What wheel bolts did you use? If they're too long, they can click on the parking brake shoes inside the rear rotors. Best to lift the car and give the wheels a spin, looking for noises. While the car's off the ground, check the tires for stones, or worse (nails/screws). Let us know what you find.

Josh: Wise guy

[Redshift]

I did buy some McGard locking wheel lugs which are a tad long in the back. Perhaps that is it? I will swap them out today for regular lugs and see if that solves the problem. I had to get longer ones because of the 10mm spacer up front.

Thanks, Elevens!

[sampsue]

Redshift, Must have missed a post but did you use 10mm spacers for looks. Are you having any rubbing and did you place spacers on the back. Are there any links to a pic. Thanks Jonny

[Redshift]

Hey all. ELEVENS was right on the money - it was those **** wheel locks. Problem solved, thank goodness.

Johnny, the spacers are to correct the offset of the wheel back to as close to stock as possible, and for shock clearance. I have a Ground Control suspension and am running 18x9.5" wheels all around. No spacers in the back. I have posted numerous threads with photos and details of the wheels and also the suspension, but here are some new shots I took today:





And a couple of beauty shots of the new paint job:

[bmwusa]

looks nice, glad to hear you figured it out, wheel locks go figure, and the fact that elevens was able to nail it down like that, this board is great, josh

[Richard in NC]

The car looks great. I'd be concerned that the paint shop would not quite match the paint.