Ground clearance
Discussion
I have noticed that something is grounding out from time to time. I thought it was the front spoiler, but when I took a look from behind the car today I saw something bulging down below the car about half way along, which I assume is the exhaust, but I didn't get a really good look.
This reminded me of a comment someone at Micheldever made when I was talking about putting 265s on the rear instead of 275s.. he said the car would probably ride 5mm lower. When I asked what that difference could possibly mean, he said it depended on how much clearance there was on the exhaust. I thought he was talking about the tailpipe which is of course well clear of the ground. I guess now he must have been talking about the exhaust as it runs underneath the car.
Anyone else have ground clearance issues with the exhaust?
This reminded me of a comment someone at Micheldever made when I was talking about putting 265s on the rear instead of 275s.. he said the car would probably ride 5mm lower. When I asked what that difference could possibly mean, he said it depended on how much clearance there was on the exhaust. I thought he was talking about the tailpipe which is of course well clear of the ground. I guess now he must have been talking about the exhaust as it runs underneath the car.
Anyone else have ground clearance issues with the exhaust?
Greg, the "35" figure in the tyre size actually means that tyre sidewall is 35% of the tyre width. Therefore, the 265 (mm) wide tyre will have a smaller tyre sidewall than a 275 tyre. This will reduce the overall tyre diameter, resulting in your car being lower than with a 275/35 tyre.
Ah, OK if it's a percentage of width, it all makes sense, thanks. Should have known that.
Reaons for changing down - I was chatting with Brian re tyre choices and he mentioned he'd probably drop back to 265s because the tyres can under certain conditions foul the wheelarches. I have noticed this a couple of times when I had a passenger in the rear.
>> Edited by gregwatson on Friday 23 December 12:20
Reaons for changing down - I was chatting with Brian re tyre choices and he mentioned he'd probably drop back to 265s because the tyres can under certain conditions foul the wheelarches. I have noticed this a couple of times when I had a passenger in the rear.
>> Edited by gregwatson on Friday 23 December 12:20
This reminds me of a story my Dad tells: He had his own workshop in Perth and one day a Doctor rolls in in his shiny new Landcruiser with brand new BF Goodrichs on, complete with white writing on the tyres. The doctor likes the white writing and thinks it might look better if they all rotated in the same position on the tyre as he drove - all synchronised-like. Dad has to explain to him that he could do it but the first time he goes round a corner they will be out of synch again as the wheels have travelled different distances and speeds throught the corner. Similarly, my old man has probably lost count of the times he has been to the doctor believing he is on his last legs, to be told he has a cold and needs to rest.
The point? Car stuff doesnt come naturally to everyone so I thinks its reasonable to go easy on them when they ask why a narrower tyre with the same AR is lower than another.
The point? Car stuff doesnt come naturally to everyone so I thinks its reasonable to go easy on them when they ask why a narrower tyre with the same AR is lower than another.
275 section has a sidewall of 3.8" and the 265 tyre 3.7"
Good site: www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html
>> Edited by V8HSV on Friday 23 December 12:14
Good site: www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html
>> Edited by V8HSV on Friday 23 December 12:14
Greg, which exhaust is on your car ? mine had the Linden one but it was welded up just an inch out and rattled on a heat shield until the exhaust warmed up and the exhaust stretched out a bit. Yours may be touching a heatshield somewhere ??? I cant imagine it grounding out due to tyre changes, what if you had a flat, there would be sparks everywhere !!!
I believe my car has a CAPA 4:1 2.5" exhaust system. The car has grounded out occasionally when riding over the wrong sort of dip in the road at speed. Not at crazy speeds, just "making progress" speeds...
I had assumed it was the chin spoiler but the reason I started thinking about exhausts is that when you view the car from behind you can see something extending quite a long way below the floor, and I think this is part of the exhaust system.
>> Edited by gregwatson on Saturday 24th December 08:45
I had assumed it was the chin spoiler but the reason I started thinking about exhausts is that when you view the car from behind you can see something extending quite a long way below the floor, and I think this is part of the exhaust system.
>> Edited by gregwatson on Saturday 24th December 08:45
Greg,
My S Type sport used to "ground out" when going "at progress" speeds over bumps or dips in the road. All that was happening was that the mud flaps and skirt on the front bumper were making contact with the road and I just got used to it. Do you have mudflaps or anything similar?
Jeff.
My S Type sport used to "ground out" when going "at progress" speeds over bumps or dips in the road. All that was happening was that the mud flaps and skirt on the front bumper were making contact with the road and I just got used to it. Do you have mudflaps or anything similar?
Jeff.
I have the occasional grounding out problem on my '04 cv8. It's the capa (crapa...)big bore system. My back box was not fitted on straight (and the sections were welded together - gas leaking, and making it impossible to remove and readjust ...) had to redo myself with sealer & u-clamps. As said here, problem only really happens when pressing on, or with a full load onboard.
[quote]I have noticed that something is grounding out from time to time. I thought it was the front spoiler, but when I took a look from behind the car today I saw something bulging down below the car about half way along, which I assume is the exhaust, but I didn't get a really good look.
This reminded me of a comment someone at Micheldever made when I was talking about putting 265s on the rear instead of 275s.. he said the car would probably ride 5mm lower. When I asked what that difference could possibly mean, he said it depended on how much clearance there was on the exhaust. I thought he was talking about the tailpipe which is of course well clear of the ground. I guess now he must have been talking about the exhaust as it runs underneath the car.
Anyone else have ground clearance issues with the exhaust?[/quote]
This reminded me of a comment someone at Micheldever made when I was talking about putting 265s on the rear instead of 275s.. he said the car would probably ride 5mm lower. When I asked what that difference could possibly mean, he said it depended on how much clearance there was on the exhaust. I thought he was talking about the tailpipe which is of course well clear of the ground. I guess now he must have been talking about the exhaust as it runs underneath the car.
Anyone else have ground clearance issues with the exhaust?[/quote]
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