Here we go... this is a spinoff from "Virtualbong's new ride"

Somehow his '05 has got smaller wheel well gaps straight from the factory, so couple of us have done some measuring.

VB's ('05, still stock suspension/wheel/tire):
Front was about 2.5"
Rear was about 1.75-2"

Mine ('05, bone stock suspension and everything for that matter):
Front is 2.75"
Rear is 2.25"

Would others kindly whip out your measuring equipment (only highly precise lazer guided stuff, heehee) and submit your wheel well gaps sizes please? Oh and please indicate year and any relevant mod.

 

Might help if you included whether your cars are MT or AT.

 

OK, guess that weight difference (and its distribution?) could matter...

Mine's 6MT... not sure about VB's. I think he'll come in to this thread to fill us in soon

Oh, should add that please remove any heavy objects from the trunk and remove all people in the car while measuring I did my measuring with nobody inside, no extra stuff in the trunk, I believe same for VB.

 

Wheel gap??? What's that? Mine has no gap (of course with lowering on TEIN FLEX). If you really need measurements, I guess mine will have negative values.

 

Very funny dude...

 

Conditions:

5AT
No one in the car
Stock carpets in the trunk

2.5" Front
1.75-2.0" Rear

 

Ok, I'm glad I am not the only person to notice this... lol.

Dumb question... but why are the front and rear wheel well gaps different? Shouldnt they be the same to make the car look balanced?

It is me or does the front seem 'jacked' up. It also makes the front wheel look smaller than it really is.

Wish there was a way to fix this...

 

I have no definite answer as to why front gap is bigger... maybe to ensure enough space for front wheels to turn? (think I read it off someone's post)

Oh and to "fix" it... I suppose dropping front and back by different amount can offset the original difference. (think I read it off someone's post TOO)

Now, could we have your measurements please? Trying to collect more sample data here...

 

Ok, here are mine for my 2005 TSX in 6MT (everything is bone stock)....

F: 2.5-2.75 inches
R: 2.0-2.25 inches

 

The front fenders doesn't extend as low as the rear, and that's why they have a different wheel gap, and I believe this is true on most cars, not just the TSX.

My guess would be what 05_TSX_GP said, to ensure enough space for the wheels to turn while the front suspension is under load (i.e. hard cornering, etc).

 

You also have to take into account that the front has a lot more weight to handle from the engine, so when you go over bumps, it needs extra clearance so that it doesn't bottom out everytime.

 

Yea I noticed my car has been pretty good with the clearning bumbs and driveways.

My friend has a high slanted driveway from the ground to his driveway its a bit high for most cars to clear when you are entering at higher speeds.

Luckly one of those snow days in the east coast I came in too fast and only heard the snow all over smush. (he did not shovel his driveway!)

 

2004, AT, stock.

Empty car, but Full tank of gas.

Front: 2.5"
Rear: 2.25"

 

2004 6 MT Stock spring/strut Dunlop M3 215/50 stock wheel
Full tank of petro - empty vehicle
Front - 2.5 inches
Rear - 2.25 inches

I don't believe my rear sway and tie bar had any effect

 

I'm guessing, since VB's car is new, the .25 in dif could be tire wear. just my opinion.

 

Mine is new too, just got ~1300km... but now looking at others' number... seems like mine has got bigger gaps then rest?! Maybe I am just measuring them conservatively...

 

.25" tire wear??? Wouldn't that make your tires pretty bald?

 

Considering tread depth is measured in 1/32ths of an inch, a quarter inch of tire wear is an awful lot.

 

2005 AT Nav
F: 2.5" R: 2.0" - 1/2 tank of gas - completely stock w/ 25 lb baby seat in rt rear seat

I think measuring from tire to wheel well is not as accurate as measuring from the center of the rim (center of the "A"cura symbol) to the wheel well. This is also good b/c those w/ aftermkt rims/tires can compare w/ those w/ stock rims/tires too.

I think the differences we are seeing her are nominal and within mfgs production variance, how level your driveway is, which direction you turned your car before you parked, etc. ATs may be slightly lower in front

 

As for why the front wheel well is larger than the rear, as everyone surmised, it is b/c the front turning wheels need more clearance. Hondas typically have fairly tight gaps front and rear. If you want to see horrible front gaps, many Nissans have HUMONGOUS front wheel well gaps vs. the rear. BMWs typically have much larger front wheel wells than rears too. However, they cut their wheel wells very close to the tires so it's not as apparent. If you check them out, you will typically see that BMWs front tire has a small gap whereas the rear tire is actually tucking.

 

Good point you brought up AlterZgo. I was actually measureing the distance from the wheel well fender edge to the tire edge. So that is the distance that makes up the visual wheel well gap, not necessarily the wheel clearance.

Maybe the other guys are measuring differently, thus have different numbers?