Front suspension issue

[ross101]

I recently put my winter wheels on, these are the stock split rim wheels with standard tyres. My summer wheels are offset out slightly.

Anyway, after fitting I was getting horrendous scraping when turning left under cornering speed load or when reversing under full lock. Took it to garage and the passenger side shock strut was touching the tyre, but drivers side was fine. The offset old set must have masked this.

I've had both shocks replaced and it's a bit better but it's still very close/ touching on the passenger side. I can see if I full lock the wheel it's touching yet the drivers side has a good gap when locked the other way. I've had the suspension components checked several times by a couple of garages and there isn't an answer..

I can't work out why the shock is so out of position to the wheel, or the wheel out of position relative to the shock. Don't know what can be adjusted to undo this, can't just be alignment/suspension setup surely? Open to any ideas - thanks

 

[RJS-Z4]

Hmm, it could be the top mount/front camber or something similar?

Have you taken it to somewhere with hunter alignment to see what figures it comes out at?

My advice would be to do this, because anywhere worth their salt should refuse to do the alignment if there's something fundamentally wrong, and they should be able to identify that for you.

 

[Dale_B]

I may be pointing out the obvious here but.... Stock split rims are different widths, i.e. rear wheels are wider than the fronts. Is there a possibility the wider rears are on the front causing you some issues?

It's been done before my members.
You may be completely aware of the width differences but never know

 

[ross101]

But would the camber adjustment move the strut relative to the wheel, I'd of thought it would just move the wheel with its new position maintaining no gap? Sorry, I'm not clued up on these things. But yeah I guess I should book it in. Just miffed the garage couldn't notice anything, maybe a bmw specialist would be a better shout.

Hah, yes first thing I checked was that the 8J wheel was on the front.

What is a normal gap between the tyre and strut? Few mm I'm guessing.

 

[ross101]

Also, garage suggested next step would be to replace the hub knuckle assembly as it 'could' be bent. Although surely something else would give and bend before those knuckle joints?

This car is causing me so much grief recently

 

[srhutch]

But would the camber adjustment move the strut relative to the wheel, I'd of thought it would just move the wheel with its new position maintaining no gap? Sorry, I'm not clued up on these things. But yeah I guess I should book it in. Just miffed the garage couldn't notice anything, maybe a bmw specialist would be a better shout.

Hah, yes first thing I checked was that the 8J wheel was on the front.

What is a normal gap between the tyre and strut? Few mm I'm guessing.

Have the wheels been split?

Could be the wrong invest on the barrel.

 

[ross101]

But would the camber adjustment move the strut relative to the wheel, I'd of thought it would just move the wheel with its new position maintaining no gap? Sorry, I'm not clued up on these things. But yeah I guess I should book it in. Just miffed the garage couldn't notice anything, maybe a bmw specialist would be a better shout.

Hah, yes first thing I checked was that the 8J wheel was on the front.

What is a normal gap between the tyre and strut? Few mm I'm guessing.

Have the wheels been split?

Could be the wrong invest on the barrel.

You kind sir were right!

Got a tape measure out to measure the barrel while wheels still on and sure enough front was wider. Took them off and they have indeed been split and put back together wrong. When I bought the car there was a reverse scraping until I changed tyres, I guess they noticed the wider barrel and put them the correct way round that time. When I got the winters on I just followed the rim label as I stretched 225/40 over the rears anyway.

Can't believe someone would put them together incorrectly... I think I'll just live with it as it winters wheels, I believe it's a 2mm offset difference? I'm sure I read that splitting them required new bolts.

Thanks a lot I owe you one!