Help! Apex wheels clicking noise

[RKS]

I got the recommended 18" setup in the Apex VS-5RS forged wheels and fitted them with OEM tires.
I installed the hub centric rings on both front wheels and have aftermarket lugs.
When I turn the wheel and drive at slow speed both front wheels make a clicking sound. Initially I thought my lugs were bad but the noise continued after swapping them out.
Anyone else have this issue?

edit: just front (haven't checked rear yet).


Update: centering rings were/are loose and causing the noise. I wonder if leaving them out will cause balancing issues or if I should try plastic ones.

 

[1Evil55]

I'm on the exact same set up but don't have any clicking noises. Sure a tire doesn't have gravel or something stuck?

 

[RKS]

I'm on the exact same set up but don't have any clicking noises. Sure a tire doesn't have gravel or something stuck?

yes. both front wheels when turning (pulling out of parking lot or garage) for sure. I need to check if the rear wheels are making the same noise.

 

[sps4runner]

Check to confirm wheel weights aren't rubbing the caliper. Happened to me (just tweaked the weights a bit flatter to the wheel with a hammer).

 

[Champale]

Some cars are very sensitive to the style of lugnuts and can cause clicking as described. OP have you reached out to Apex?

 

[1Evil55]

Good point @Champale
What lugs are you using? IIRC mine are the gorilla brand ironically the same ones I used on my old CT5.

 

[RKS]

Check to confirm wheel weights aren't rubbing the caliper. Happened to me (just tweaked the weights a bit flatter to the wheel with a hammer).

Nothing seems marred on the calipers but I haven't removed the wheels yet.

 

[RKS]

Some cars are very sensitive to the style of lugnuts and can cause clicking as described. OP have you reached out to Apex?

I have a few sets so I'll try some different ones tomorrow.
I'm not an engineer so I'm not sure why they would click only when the wheels are turned.

 

[ngoni]

Remember the manual says 140 ft*lb of torque. It seems like a crazy amount but that's the spec. When I checked my lug nuts after the first couple drives there were a few that had loosened up a bunch. I'm not sure that would make a clicking sound but it's something to check.

 

[Champale]

Also, are you able to have enough brake and suspension clearance without the spacers? If yes, I would remove them and see if that makes any difference. You have introduced 3 new things - wheels, lugnuts, and spacers. The clicking has to be related.

 

[RKS]

Remember the manual says 140 ft*lb of torque. It seems like a crazy amount but that's the spec. When I checked my lug nuts after the first couple drives there were a few that had loosened up a bunch. I'm not sure that would make a clicking sound but it's something to check.

Checked torque a few times.

 

[RKS]

Also, are you able to have enough brake and suspension clearance without the spacers? If yes, I would remove them and see if that makes any difference. You have introduced 3 new things - wheels, lugnuts, and spacers. The clicking has to be related.

No spacers. I have the specs recommended by Apex and was able to mount the OEM tires on the Apex wheels. I'm hoping it's the lugs since that's the simplest resolution. I'll update tomorrow.

 

[leres]

Remember the manual says 140 ft*lb of torque. It seems like a crazy amount but that's the spec. When I checked my lug nuts after the first couple drives there were a few that had loosened up a bunch. I'm not sure that would make a clicking sound but it's something to check.

I once had a clicking sound that came from un-torqued lugnuts (4th gen Camaro).

 

[Champale]

No spacers. I have the specs recommended by Apex and was able to mount the OEM tires on the Apex wheels. I'm hoping it's the lugs since that's the simplest resolution. I'll update tomorrow.

I apologize - I misread the hubcentric rings as spacers. You can also try running them without the rings. I had a wheel manufacturer tell me to do this once and I was concerned the wheels would not be centered properly but I encountered zero issues without the rings.

 

[RKS]

Changed lugs but the clicking is still there. Discovered that the noise occurs even when stationary and the wheel turned. videos attached:

moving

stationery

 

[Super Saloon]

I have the same setup and have not heard this before. Have you tried calling Apex?

I know it’s a pain but if you are able to swap the OEM setup back on that might tell you if it’s the wheels or something else and it’s just coincidence.

 

[RKS]

I have the same setup and have not heard this before. Have you tried calling Apex?

I know it’s a pain but if you are able to swap the OEM setup back on that might tell you if it’s the wheels or something else and it’s just coincidence.

I sent them an email.
That's my next step and will give it a shot this weekend. The only other moving part would be the hub-centric rings.

 

[Dirkbg]

Maybe a stupid question, but do you still have the original wheels with tires on them? If so, put one back on and see if the clicking goes away. That can narrow down if it's the Apex wheel or something else. My original wheels have the all-seasons on them, so I swap for winter.

 

[RKS]

Maybe a stupid question, but do you still have the original wheels with tires on them? If so, put one back on and see if the clicking goes away. That can narrow down if it's the Apex wheel or something else. My original wheels have the all-seasons on them, so I swap for winter.

That's exactly what I did as well. I plan on swapping the fronts out tomorrow. What's frustrating is that I don't have a unique setup.

 

[Dirkbg]

I didn't have an issue putting on the Apex wheels, but I had a problem when I switched back to the OEM wheels in Spring last year. The centering rings stayed on the wheels except for one that stayed on the hub, and I didn't notice it until I torqued down the factory wheel on it. I thought it seemed weird the lugs didn't tighten normally, and then I took it off and found the mangled ring. Had to replace that one, and I'm glad I figured it out before anything happened. I don't think it affected the factory wheel since the ring is much softer material. So, watch out for that come swap time.