Wheel Rubbing...?
Discussion
I don't have any problems when driving, only over excessive bumps. But, when at slow speeds turning at full lock my front tyres are rubbing the the inner wings.
Is this normal? are my springs a bit soft? or sagged?
Bonnet is clear of the floor when raised, don't have any grounding issues, ride height seems ok...
Is this normal? are my springs a bit soft? or sagged?
Bonnet is clear of the floor when raised, don't have any grounding issues, ride height seems ok...

my S3 did this whilst running worn 55 profile SO2's. When I switched to RE720's with a 60 profile the problem was made much worse. I pushed the inner wheel arch as far into the bonnet as i could and wedged it there with a piece of 4 x 2 and then drilled through the arch and the piece of fibreglass that hangs down from the inside of the bonnet and bolted it through to hold it in the wedged place. That helped but didnt stop the problem completely.
I never got around to fixing the problem but looked at it and think it relates to the bonnet positioning too. Check how far back your bonnet is by comparing the gap in between the windscreen wiper and the bonnet with other S's. Mine was v close, HarryW's for example was quite far away. This pushed the inner wheel arch further from the tyre..... So I was planning on adjusting the bonnet to push it forward a little. A need for V8 sounds, headlights, brakes and golf clubs (
) meant that the S was sold before I did the work.
Mine was running new shocks too BTW.
I never got around to fixing the problem but looked at it and think it relates to the bonnet positioning too. Check how far back your bonnet is by comparing the gap in between the windscreen wiper and the bonnet with other S's. Mine was v close, HarryW's for example was quite far away. This pushed the inner wheel arch further from the tyre..... So I was planning on adjusting the bonnet to push it forward a little. A need for V8 sounds, headlights, brakes and golf clubs (
) meant that the S was sold before I did the work. Mine was running new shocks too BTW.
bridgdav said:
I don't have any problems when driving, only over excessive bumps. But, when at slow speeds turning at full lock my front tyres are rubbing the the inner wings.
Is this normal? are my springs a bit soft? or sagged?
Bonnet is clear of the floor when raised, don't have any grounding issues, ride height seems ok...
This happened to me with the S2, I was told my springs were shot! One easy way to check for this I am told, is open your bonnet and if it hits the ground before you can put in the rod to hold it open the Springs need replacing!
Hope this helps!
Mike
mike j smith said:
bridgdav said:
I don't have any problems when driving, only over excessive bumps. But, when at slow speeds turning at full lock my front tyres are rubbing the the inner wings.
Is this normal? are my springs a bit soft? or sagged?
Bonnet is clear of the floor when raised, don't have any grounding issues, ride height seems ok...
This happened to me with the S2, I was told my springs were shot! One easy way to check for this I am told, is open your bonnet and if it hits the ground before you can put in the rod to hold it open the Springs need replacing!
Hope this helps!
Mike
I agree that will of course be a factor. If they are shot (measured by the bonnet opening test described above) then clearance will be reduced, as will ride height.
WildfireS3 said:
How do you adjust this? Mine is very close.
full numpty proof instructions in the bible. From initial investigations it looks a b*tch of a job in terms of frustration rather than ability. Lot of "try it now" and then "try it again" - hence I put the job off for a while. basically the hinge brackets can be easily got at under the car on axel stands. Support the front of teh bonnet with a trolley jack with big piece of wood on top of the jack and across the front of the bonnet. undo bolts and guess! tighten up, have a look. start again until you get it right! pics in the bible...
bridgdav said:
Cheers Snooz
Funny that....
I've just re-booted the car with SO2's. I didn't notice it being such a problem before.
Looks like another job for Winter...
hmm
that is odd, you were running 60 profile before and now 55 and its become a worse factor. check the springs and check the bonnet "gap" at the windscreen. if you want to meet up and I'll have a look with you then its no problem.
oh, and who is snooz?

yes mate - dad gave me those initials on purpose. sort of fitting they should end up adorning a golf buggy! Cart has only recently been returned from APM after having quite a few bits done - new alarm, immobiliser, push button door locking, gearbox linkeage etc
oh and I now have no baffles. sounds rather good
oh and I now have no baffles. sounds rather good

shnozz said:
WildfireS3 said:
How do you adjust this? Mine is very close.
full numpty proof instructions in the bible. From initial investigations it looks a b*tch of a job in terms of frustration rather than ability. Lot of "try it now" and then "try it again" - hence I put the job off for a while. basically the hinge brackets can be easily got at under the car on axel stands. Support the front of teh bonnet with a trolley jack with big piece of wood on top of the jack and across the front of the bonnet. undo bolts and guess! tighten up, have a look. start again until you get it right! pics in the bible...
Good luck adjusting the bonnet hinges. My bolts had siezed solid, and only moved after carefully using a blow torch to heat them up, and lots muscle.
shnozz said:
yes mate - dad gave me those initials on purpose. sort of fitting they should end up adorning a golf buggy! Cart has only recently been returned from APM after having quite a few bits done - new alarm, immobiliser, push button door locking, gearbox linkeage etc
oh and I now have no baffles. sounds rather good
Glad you've got the car back now Phil, must catch up on the details, sounds like a little list to me are you giving jamer grief
. Harry
peter m said:If you do manage to get the bolts undone, you also run the risk of misaligning the bonnet (if an S bonnet can ever be said to be truly aligned!
shnozz said:
WildfireS3 said:
How do you adjust this? Mine is very close.
full numpty proof instructions in the bible. From initial investigations it looks a b*tch of a job in terms of frustration rather than ability. Lot of "try it now" and then "try it again" - hence I put the job off for a while. basically the hinge brackets can be easily got at under the car on axel stands. Support the front of teh bonnet with a trolley jack with big piece of wood on top of the jack and across the front of the bonnet. undo bolts and guess! tighten up, have a look. start again until you get it right! pics in the bible...
Good luck adjusting the bonnet hinges. My bolts had siezed solid, and only moved after carefully using a blow torch to heat them up, and lots muscle.
). When I took my bonnet off, I was very careful to avoid moving the inner bolts at all so that I wouldn't have to go through the whole realignment shinanigens! 
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