Tyre rubbing on wheel arch liner
Discussion
Hi All,
I recently purchased a car that has had aftermarket wheels fitted - now before i go on, i know that is the issue and it's my look out etc etc. hence the question
there is evidence that the front wheels in the straight-ahead position have been catching on the liners, which would suggest it is when the car bottoms the suspension, presumably at speed over bumps etc, which is harder to ascertain than if it rubs on steering lock.
the previous owner had the following wheels / tyres on the front:
81/2JX19 ET:38 with a 235/35 tyre
i've replaced with:
8JX19 ET:34 with a 225/35 tyre
it has been lowered 15-20mm on the front.
firstly, can anyone think of a reasonably controlled way in which i can test to see whether my wheels / tyres are causing the problem, or if there was already a hole worn there that i didn't notice when i bought the car...i know i could hammer it over a speed bump and listen intently but i'd prefer to check in a more civilised way.
the options as i see it are:
1)put up with the wear (it's a small hole worn in the wheel arch liner)
2)reduce tyre width to 215/35 - potential to get a bit understeery
3)increase the suspension height agsin, although i would suspect increased ride height=more travel=same problem!
does anyone have any other ideas? all gratefully received. other than should've bought a standard car, it's a bit late now...
thank you very much.
I recently purchased a car that has had aftermarket wheels fitted - now before i go on, i know that is the issue and it's my look out etc etc. hence the question
there is evidence that the front wheels in the straight-ahead position have been catching on the liners, which would suggest it is when the car bottoms the suspension, presumably at speed over bumps etc, which is harder to ascertain than if it rubs on steering lock.
the previous owner had the following wheels / tyres on the front:
81/2JX19 ET:38 with a 235/35 tyre
i've replaced with:
8JX19 ET:34 with a 225/35 tyre
it has been lowered 15-20mm on the front.
firstly, can anyone think of a reasonably controlled way in which i can test to see whether my wheels / tyres are causing the problem, or if there was already a hole worn there that i didn't notice when i bought the car...i know i could hammer it over a speed bump and listen intently but i'd prefer to check in a more civilised way.
the options as i see it are:
1)put up with the wear (it's a small hole worn in the wheel arch liner)
2)reduce tyre width to 215/35 - potential to get a bit understeery
3)increase the suspension height agsin, although i would suspect increased ride height=more travel=same problem!
does anyone have any other ideas? all gratefully received. other than should've bought a standard car, it's a bit late now...
thank you very much.
What car?
Masking tape over the hole, go for a decent run over rough-ish roads with 4 friends and check the tape?
This may have been already sorted by the last owner and he just didnt change the arch liner. It will make a racket when its touching so should be easy enough over a period of time to gauge whether or not its making contact. Its unusual that its rubbing straight on without fouling the suspension as this is where it normally contacts, any very shiny bits on springs etc? What about lock to lock, is it foulding then?
Also you said that you didnt want to go 'down' to 215mm as it will understeer more (Im assuming FWD here due to tyre sizes) this may have the opposite effect than you think, the contact patch is larger with wider tyres but the pressure pushing it down is reduced as the weight is spread over a larger area, and quite alot of the time wider=poor wet handling and less grip. 215 is still a substancial tyre imo so wouldnt feel too bad about that reduction.
Masking tape over the hole, go for a decent run over rough-ish roads with 4 friends and check the tape?
This may have been already sorted by the last owner and he just didnt change the arch liner. It will make a racket when its touching so should be easy enough over a period of time to gauge whether or not its making contact. Its unusual that its rubbing straight on without fouling the suspension as this is where it normally contacts, any very shiny bits on springs etc? What about lock to lock, is it foulding then?
Also you said that you didnt want to go 'down' to 215mm as it will understeer more (Im assuming FWD here due to tyre sizes) this may have the opposite effect than you think, the contact patch is larger with wider tyres but the pressure pushing it down is reduced as the weight is spread over a larger area, and quite alot of the time wider=poor wet handling and less grip. 215 is still a substancial tyre imo so wouldnt feel too bad about that reduction.
Edited by Decky_Q on Wednesday 21st March 13:53
Does it rub on full lock?
The tyre originally fitted would have a maximum width of 251mm fitted to this wheel.
The new set-up would have a maximum width of 244mm. Include the difference in wheel offset and you're looking at 248mm which is 3mm difference.
Given the situation, I'd look at adjusting the height of the car. This would provide a smaller disruption to handling and balance than changing the tyre size up front.
Alternatively, you could cut a portion out of the liner and forget about it.
The tyre originally fitted would have a maximum width of 251mm fitted to this wheel.
The new set-up would have a maximum width of 244mm. Include the difference in wheel offset and you're looking at 248mm which is 3mm difference.
Given the situation, I'd look at adjusting the height of the car. This would provide a smaller disruption to handling and balance than changing the tyre size up front.
Alternatively, you could cut a portion out of the liner and forget about it.
Decky_Q said:
What car?
Masking tape over the hole, go for a decent run over rough-ish roads with 4 friends and check the tape?
This may have been already sorted by the last owner and he just didnt change the arch liner. It will make a racket when its touching so should be easy enough over a period of time to gauge whether or not its making contact. Its unusual that its rubbing straight on without fouling the suspension as this is where it normally contacts, any very shiny bits on springs etc? What about lock to lock, is it foulding then?
Also you said that you didnt want to go 'down' to 215mm as it will understeer more (Im assuming FWD here due to tyre sizes) this may have the opposite effect than you think, the contact patch is larger with wider tyres but the pressure pushing it down is reduced as the weight is spread over a larger area, and quite alot of the time wider=poor wet handling and less grip. 215 is still a substancial tyre imo so wouldnt feel too bad about that reduction.
BMW Z4, certainly i haven't noticed any rubbing during my ownership and the tyres don't display any wear in the areas.Masking tape over the hole, go for a decent run over rough-ish roads with 4 friends and check the tape?
This may have been already sorted by the last owner and he just didnt change the arch liner. It will make a racket when its touching so should be easy enough over a period of time to gauge whether or not its making contact. Its unusual that its rubbing straight on without fouling the suspension as this is where it normally contacts, any very shiny bits on springs etc? What about lock to lock, is it foulding then?
Also you said that you didnt want to go 'down' to 215mm as it will understeer more (Im assuming FWD here due to tyre sizes) this may have the opposite effect than you think, the contact patch is larger with wider tyres but the pressure pushing it down is reduced as the weight is spread over a larger area, and quite alot of the time wider=poor wet handling and less grip. 215 is still a substancial tyre imo so wouldnt feel too bad about that reduction.
Edited by Decky_Q on Wednesday 21st March 13:53
no fouling lock to lock, i think it is just the suspension allowing the wheels to bottom out - i suspect that as springs bed in the rate becomes less stiff.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff