Front Wheels Rubbing
Front Wheels Rubbing
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Discussion

casbar

Original Poster:

1,114 posts

236 months

Sunday 7th June 2009
quotequote all
The car has had new wings fitted by the previous owner. Have fitted adjustible tie bars, but can only get about 1 deg of caster, or the front wheel rubs on the wing, about 6 inches above the bumper. Have spoken to a mini specialist who suggests the wheel arch needs trimming slightly, ie take off trim, shave arch and then refit the trim. So if this is the way to sort it, what is the tool of choice? I guess it only needs about 5 to 10 mm taken off. The car is running 165/60 12's on 5 inch rims. Thanks

guru_1071

2,768 posts

255 months

Sunday 7th June 2009
quotequote all
just use a jig saw, then reform the lip with a set of pliers.

i never understand why people fit adjustable tie bars and use them only as a means to try and stop the wheels fouling the bodywork. lengthening the tie bars (and decreasing the castor) makes cars handle terribly.

i measured a car recently that actually had positive castor due to the bars been so long, that and the 195 tyres the owner fitted made it feel like a heavy out of control shopping trolly!

casbar

Original Poster:

1,114 posts

236 months

Sunday 7th June 2009
quotequote all
Before I cut the wings, someone has suggested that the rubber cones maybe goosed. They told me to check the distance between the bump stop and the top arm, which should be arount an inch. Mine seems to measure about 1/2 inch. Wish I'd changed the cones when I re-bushed the top arm and fitted new ball joints. So I guess the options are strip the top suspension down again and fit new cones, or just go for trimming the wheel arches, or do the cones first and see if the ride height improves, thus giving me more clearence, I can then dial in more castor.

guru_1071

2,768 posts

255 months

Monday 8th June 2009
quotequote all
new cones will help, but the biggest issue is the 165 tyres, the car would have to be about a foot of the ground before there was no danger of the tyres rubbing

casbar

Original Poster:

1,114 posts

236 months

Monday 8th June 2009
quotequote all
Have ordered new cones, will fit those, then set too with the jig saw/Dremmel if no improvement. Thanks for all the helpful replies

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

276 months

Monday 8th June 2009
quotequote all
guru_1071 said:
i never understand why people fit adjustable tie bars and use them only as a means to try and stop the wheels fouling the bodywork.
Ignorance.