Tire rub

Skully · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 11:43 AM

Can a slight tire rub on the driver side be tweeked by adjusting the front shocks.

mikiec · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 12:44 PM

Make sure your ride height is set to factory specs. I have never heard of front rub, just rear. What tire size are you using? What wheels are you using? Do they have the correct backspace?

Mike

AZ Pete · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 01:19 PM

Like Mike asks, but do you get rub just when you turn all the way left? That's not a worry. If it rubs with wheels straight, that's not right.
Pete

jhv48 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 01:44 PM

Skully,

My FFR rubbed the fronts when cranked hard and hitting a bump. I had 245x17's on the front and SN95 spindles.

Raised the ride height slightly and that cured the problem. It's all trial and error on these things.

Skully · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 02:55 PM

I have 245 45 17 on the front, when correcting ride height is there a special tool to use to adjust shocks or is it just crank it up. I can get one finger between fender and tire on driver side that rubs and two fingers on the passenger side.

mikiec · #6 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 03:39 PM

Spanner wrench...

Should have been one with the kit. If not, try Harbor Frieght

jhv48 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 08:51 PM

Don't use the distance between the fender and tire as your gauge. They are all off.

Use the distance from the floor to the bottom of the 4 inch round tube frame at the right and left front of the frame as your guides. Make sure they are the same height from the ground.

And if you jack up the front of car slightly, you will be able to turn the seats on the shock absorber shafts by hand enough to adjust the ride height.

And remember, compressing the spring raises the ride height.

Usually 4-4 1/2 inches is sufficient ground clearance in the front to allow the tires not to rub.

Adjust, measure, drive, measure, adjust again. Repeat till you are sick and tired of doing it!

Karl Bebout · #8 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 08:54 PM

Skully, don't bother checking with Harbor Freight looking for a spanner. They quit selling them. I think I wound up buying my wrench from Summit.

AZ Pete · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 10:44 AM

You should be able to turn the spring seat by hand when unweighted, as jhv48 said. First, however, check that the small set screw on the seat is loosened. If it won't turn by hand, insert a metal pin or drill bit into one of the holes in the seat for a better grip. My Mk3 with same front tires is 4" at lower frame tube.
Pete