Linner

Alright guys and girls, I just installed a set of eibach pro kits springs yesterday and put my rims back on. Now my tires are 235/40/18 (The rims/tires were off my lexus es300) and Im experiencing some rubbing when I take turns (fairly slow) and I dont even have my system in. Has anyone on this board flared out their wheel well to resolve any rubbing issues.

I really dont want to but new tires yet because I have at least 60% tread left (and I have alot of tickets to pay off as you guys know).

Any other suggestions?

bobbydoedoedoe

whoa, show us some pic of ur car with the es300 rims/wheels

Linner

Sorry, no there not lexus es300 rims there , 18" Diablo racing rims. I had bought them for my lexus and I traded that in. Sorry about the confusion

megaman81

any pics with the prokit installed? i am thinking of buying this kit but i dont know how it looks...

sgmotoring

Rolled a few in with a wood baseball bat.

Shawn S

What are the specs of the Rims?
Width?
Offset?

Linner

The rims are 18x7.5 45offset, tires 235/40/18, Megaman ill get some pics up asap

kid_dr

I can relate, I hope this will help. I also need some help myself.

I have the Eibach pro kit as well, and just purchased some SSR 18x8 with 48mm offset, and Pilot PS2 235/40/18s. I had read where no one was having a problem with the comptech springs, so I spent the money on the rims and tires (in order to save weight (about 28 lbs.) improve grip, and install a big brake kit without having to use spacers.

I have/had the same problem as you do, especially on the left rear. I have my koni adjustables all the way firm, and I have cut and ground the fender flange as far as I can. I felt that cutting, although more invasive and labor intensive, would give me more room than rolling the fender flange.

The problem has been significantly diminished, but still not corrected. I feel certain that I will have problems once I go back to the track (road course).

I have checked into machining the wheel to change the offset (apparently not a good idea), going with 18x7.5 SSRs (which have a smaller offset - thus defeating the purpose), going with 225/40s or 225/45s which will cost another $800 or so (anyone want to buy my nearly new PS2s for $800?), or getting a set of Comptech springs (my least costly alternative).

My question: Does anyone with comptech springs, 18x8 wheels with 48mm offset, and 235/40/18 rubber track their car (on a road course) - or at least turn left and right very agressively without having a problem?

Linner

Kid, do you think if we go with a 215/40/18 tire, will it resolve the problems without rolling the fender? Also do you have pics of your car after you have cut and ground your fender flange?

I was thinking of cutting the inside of the fender where it is shaped like a L, but I think if I heat that part up to cut it, the paint is going to be destroyed and will start cracking.

kid_dr

I used a dremel to do all the cutting, grinding, sanding, etc. Not a torch. I can take some pics and send them to you, but I don't have any yet.

One problem with cutting is that you have an inner and outer body panel that is sealed and spot welded together. Once you cut this past the spot welds, then you interupt the seal and are asking for trouble if you don't seal it back (water, rust, etc.). I used a flexible 3M body panel sealer (expensive), then primed and painted over all exposed sheet metal edges. This took me several hours to do!

The 215/40/18s would probably work but they will be a little short (see www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html ), and somewhat skinny for the 8" rims. The tire rack claims that the 225/45/18s will fit (although a little taller than stock), but I'm not so sure with the pro kit springs, a 45 offset (or 48 for that matter) and no rolling or cutting.
I think I would go with 225/40/18s (although they too are a little short).

One problem seems to be the offset on these rims when our cars ride as low as they do with the pro kit (and perhaps the camber adjustment if you also have that). If I had no tire at all, and enough suspension travel, I think that my rim would rub the inner fender! I think an offset of about 52'' would be ideal, but we might be getting into a problem with clearance up front then.

astro

i rolled both my CL and my TL fenders and I still rub with large loads, or hard cornering...i think folding is better than cutting tho. When you cut, you're leaving a sharp edge to hit your tire, when you fold, it's simply a soft edge contacting the tire...much less change of a blowout happening from too much rubbing like this.

kid_dr

Astroboy - you are right. I have cut out to about 2-3mm of flange left and do not want to go any further, and sanded and painted so it is as soft as 90 degrees can be. My goal was, and still is, however, zero rub, that's why I cut in the first place. In fact, I will not track the car if it is going to rub - too dangerous!

kid_dr

Astroboy

Do you have comptech springs and 235/40s or some other setup?

Linner

Im gonna try rolling my fenders with a baseball bat like sgmotoring did this weekend.

sgmotoring

Make sure you are using a wooden bat, Aluminum doesn't work as well. I have 235/40/18 tires and rims are 18x7.5 with an offset of +42. Mine are not rubbing with comptech spring.

Linner

Thanks sgmotoring, Ill let you guys now how it goes after sunday. Hopefully this will fix the problem and I wont have to fold or cut anything.

i am on a eibach drop so it might not work as well but well see.