FWA clearances?

[Davi]

I'm getting a bit concerned about the FWA clearances on my car... just looking for thoughts from others who have built specials of any description! At the moment, with the pedals very roughly plonked on, and the front wheel drawing an arc for turning, I reckon the inner front wheel arch will sit at closest about 1 to 1.5 inches from the wheel - I cant think of any reason it would need to be more than this, unless anyone can suggest a reason it should? What's the clearances like on your cars?

[Sam_68]

Personally, I'd be inclined to take the coilover off then swing the roadwheel to full lock with the suspension proppd in the 'full bump' position. If the tyre doesn't physically contact the bodywork in this 'worst case' position, then the job's a good 'un - in practice you are never going to get full bump and full lock at the same time (or, if you do, the last thing you will be worrying about is the rubber kissing the fibreglass!)

[Davi]

thanks Sam, that was pretty much my thinking just wasn't sure if that was good enough. Fortunately building in CAD first, I've just done that in it's virtual little world and there is around 1 inch even at worse case, so I think I'll leave well alone. I would like to have got the footwell a little bit larger, I hate having cramped feet, but think I could maybe shift the seat back and in slightly to give less centre tunnel and a bit more room.

[Sam_68]

I think 1" clearance at hypothetical full bump/full lock ought to be plenty.

I have had cars that did, in fact, scrub the tyres against the inner wheelarch at full lock at normal ride height and in practice it was only a problem if the MOT inspector spotted it!

[Davi]

that's what got me thinking about it - my old custom beetle's front wheel used to merrily try and cut its way through to the interior on anything but a slight bend