Front tires rubbing. Too low in front???

L

Lew Shaw

Member
 Glendale, Arizona
I have a 2005 3.0i Roadster with sport suspension. Early on, I replaced the wheels and tires. I removed the front 225/40R18 Bridgestone run flats which had a diameter of 25.1 inches and mounted Hankook 225/45 ZR18's with a diameter of 25.9 inches, hoping the extra sidewall would give a much smoother ride. Well, the ride IS much smoother, but I have worn a hole in the wheel liner (both sides) at the top edge, right near where the bumper connects to the fender. So, I presume the clearance is not sufficient. Now, the question is, is there a way to raise the body slightly (1/2 inch) in the front ? If not, should I go back to a smaller front tire or is there another option?
Thanks!
:tumbleweed:
 
Thanks, Z4M, but that's not an alternative that would be acceptable to me. Surely, there are some spring pads or something to slightly increase the height of the front of the body. I suspect that even 1/4" would be enough.
:tumbleweed:
 
It shouldn't rub with just a small increase in tyre profile. ///M Zeds have 225/45 with no rubbing issues.

Is it on both sides, and are you running standard rims?


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don't think you can raise the ride height easily, I wanted to do the same as my bumper scrapes the speedbumps slightly at work, not an issue as such cos I have fang protectors fitted, but nevertheless it's a pain.

I think the m's have a different front end set up, as the m bumper on an m has more ground clearance than an m bumper fitted to a non m...if you get me..!
 
My Indy used a thicker pad under one of my springs to correct an imbalance between front and rear across the car, so it is possible - but I don't know what size he used. I still get rubbing that has done the same as yours with standard tyres... But I have Eibach lowering springs on. The guy said that the only other way to change the ride height would be to fit adjustable suspension, which is too expensive and too technical for me :D
 
How about going SE springs? If you are increasing the rolling radius then wont be so noticeable with the arch gap... And will give a better ride.

The M's have a higher profile tyre and sit higher (then m sports) too.


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Point about the ///M suspension accepted, as I know it sits higher.

What I'm trying to say is, a 5% change in tyre profile shouldn't cause rubbing.

I'd be checking the shocks to ensure that they're still compressing at the same rate etc


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You mentioned that you changed the wheels AND tyres.

So do the wheels have the correct offset?
 
Adamski said:
It shouldn't rub with just a small increase in tyre profile. ///M Zeds have 225/45 with no rubbing issues.

Is it on both sides, and are you running standard rims?


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Click to expand...

People on this forum never thinking about offset or width of the wheels.

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Adamski said:
Point about the ///M suspension accepted, as I know it sits higher.

What I'm trying to say is, a 5% change in tyre profile shouldn't cause rubbing.
Click to expand...

Sorry i wasnt directing my reply to you... Saying the option for the op is Non sport make it higher like the M.

Tyres make a difference too.

Mine rubs lightly up front (ignoring the fact mine is lowered) with my winter tyres which have a rim protector, which didnt on the same wheels with bridgestones.


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To everyone that questioned the wheels...they ARE aftermarket and I did NOT measure them for offset and back-spacing. But, they are SUPPOSED to fit properly. I suspect that they may just be slightly different than OEM. Of all the answers and suggestions, I like the one from Bad Pritt. Indeed, the holes seem to have stopped growing in size and I may just ignore the issue! :thumbsup:

Thank you all for your contributions....this is a great forum!
:tumbleweed:
 
aquazi said:
Adamski said:
Point about the ///M suspension accepted, as I know it sits higher.

What I'm trying to say is, a 5% change in tyre profile shouldn't cause rubbing.
Click to expand...

Sorry i wasnt directing my reply to you... Saying the option for the op is Non sport make it higher like the M.

Tyres make a difference too.

Mine rubs lightly up front (ignoring the fact mine is lowered) with my winter tyres which have a rim protector, which didnt on the same wheels with bridgestones.


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Click to expand...

No worries - all good :thumbsup:

I reckon as Marius says, offset on the new wheels is wrong, so wheel sticks out too far and rubs
 
Lew Shaw said:
To everyone that questioned the wheels...they ARE aftermarket and I did NOT measure them for offset and back-spacing. But, they are SUPPOSED to fit properly. I suspect that they may just be slightly different than OEM. Of all the answers and suggestions, I like the one from Bad Pritt. Indeed, the holes seem to have stopped growing in size and I may just ignore the issue! :thumbsup:

Thank you all for your contributions....this is a great forum!
:tumbleweed:
Click to expand...

My only amendment to Bad's advice would be that I use black duct tape to hide my holes and protect anything behind them... Blends in nicely and I just refresh it one a month... More if I have been hooning :D
 
Bing said:
Lew Shaw said:
To everyone that questioned the wheels...they ARE aftermarket and I did NOT measure them for offset and back-spacing. But, they are SUPPOSED to fit properly. I suspect that they may just be slightly different than OEM. Of all the answers and suggestions, I like the one from Bad Pritt. Indeed, the holes seem to have stopped growing in size and I may just ignore the issue! :thumbsup:

Thank you all for your contributions....this is a great forum!
:tumbleweed:
Click to expand...

My only amendment to Bad's advice would be that I use black duct tape to hide my holes and protect anything behind them... Blends in nicely and I just refresh it one a month... More if I have been hooning :D
Click to expand...

You could also do what Machine Monkey did and melt the plastic down and add more plastic melted in, to close the gap again.
It's a pita job, but the result would be great I reckon
 
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