Ok, so i got my new wheels and tires fitted. While driving, going over a bump, i hear a quick scraping noise. What i assume is from the passenger front fender.

The set up is 18x9.5+24 with 5mm spacers to clear brembos, so thats +19 offset. Tires are nitto nt555 275/35r18 i am lower on ebaich sport springs.

Now here is where i *think* i need new shocks. One, it only scraps on the passenger sides, at least that i can hear. And i had my wife sitsin the car on the passenger side, and it drop by .25 to .5 inch. Had her switch side, it barely moved. My wife is anything but fat, weighting in at 118lbs 5'4 (yes shell kill me for posting her weight, but race car.)

Ride dofference, i cant exactly tell. So im assuming the passenger shocks are about to go, and driver wont be far behind.

Can anyone confirm or debunk my theory? Thanks in advance

 

Ooooo, dirt. OK, T'bo send them French Press Espressos my way and Mrs. T'bo never has to hear about this.

But seriously, keep in mind that the shocks don't really do anything to hold up the weight of the car... that's the springs' job. Yes, if the shocks are shot, weight displacement will cause the spring to sink a bit when she first gets in but the spring will return and stop at "normal height" - slightly lower than when unweighted but not by the deflection you mention - UNLESS the spring is fatigued or you have a spring seat or upper mount that's gone haywire.

Would suggest checking those first and also check to see if the scraping is actually from the new tire. Seems a bit coincidental. Also, that 9.5 +19 pushes you out by 30mm so that might be the whole problem.

What shocks you running? How many miles?

 

Yo that b1tch is fatt... Your tire that is... Did you get your fenders rolled any sign of tire touchy on the new tires or fenders?

 

Ill have to check the springs. They whole set up has about 20k miles on them so they shouldnt be going, but who knows, it couldvw been the friday job where the workers just wanted to get home haha.

I wasnt sure if it was shocks or not, since the car is only un even when someone is in the passenger side. I have about 1inch of travel so im not sure if i am scraping due to tires, wheels set up or if its the suspension.

I have seen even more agressive set up than mine, so im not sure if its just me. But the fact its only scraping the passenger got me doubting myself. Ill have to throw the espresso back on with the spacers to see if it is indeed the wheel set up or if its the suspension compnents.

 

Rears are rolled, but ont the front. Im TRYING to look for rub marks, but i see nothing. I even went as far as putting tire gel on a bit of the tread, and putting masking tape on the fenders to see if the gel makes it on the tape, weird part is, only a bit is on the tape, which could be because of tire rotation and what not. Its not 100% sure of testing.

 

A few ways to check:

Take the shock out, push it down and see if it comes back up. If not, dead.

Leaks, dead.

Push the car down if it squeaks, possibly worn or dead.

Odd tire wear on the suspect corner, possibly worn or dead.

Car bounces around all over the place and doesn't corner well, worn or dead.

 

I dont know if Arizona does a state inspection. Im going to guess they don't do to the cars that people from their seem to own haha.. (lucky lucky) but you might wanna check your ball joints and connection point's on the front end... If you have been running wide front tires for a while they could be taking their toll on those parts... Ours get checked every year during the inspection.. Just another shot in the dark from me though.

 

thanks for all the ideas guys. im gonna try swapping another wheel with the same spec on, with and without the spacer to see if itll scrape and go from there.

 

Good thing you have spares.....

Good luck

 

Look at the front shocks. Are they wet or oily? Toast.

 

after testing many wheels and offset possibilities, i am now convinced that it is the tires width and the 5mm that is causing the scraping. hopefully a 2mm spacer will clear me of that problem.

 

When i was on h&r coilovers, I felt that the springs were too soft. Every time I hit a bump my front tire would rub on the top fender liner right in front of the upper control arm. Wheels were 18x9.5 +15 on 245/40 tires lowered approximately 1.7" up front. Do you see any rubbing marks where I mentioned? Also I'd check your bushings and ball joints too.

 

Toldjaso. 😜😝😛

 

i know!!!! haha the espresso never rubbed, and theyre +22. so i measure the tires themself, and the hankook v12 are skinnier than the nitto nt555 even thought theyre both 275/35. tires company to get their junk together! haha

 

im actually hitting the fender itself, ever so slightly, but it is. hopefully a 3mm reduction is enough to clear, if not, might have to get new tires.

 

Oh okay. just get your fenders rolled. It will be cheaper than new tires. Plus that tire size up front is perfect. Also since you are rubbing on the actual fender, Id remove that screw that holds the fender liner to the fender at the top. You dont want to hit that and have it push a dent into the fender.

 

i already ordered the 2mm spacer so ill see if that helps. if not, fender roll is next on the list. if i cant find a reputable shop, then ill have to just settle for smaller tires. 265 should work.

might see if i can find a fender rolling tool for rent too.

 

If you pass through Vegas, I have an Eastwood fender roller and work for beer.

 

LoL

 

Will cheap beer work? Haha. Ill see what happens when the 2mm comes in.