what to do!

[soulstrife]

Alright, some of you may or may not know about my problem with me tearing up my right fender.

I have the hotchkis springs and ever since (even after alignment with -1.3 camber on the front) I rub on mid to large bumps...really bad! I've torn the lip on the fender down a few times.

Now, I've been thinking about getting coilovers (stiffer springs) to fix this...plus I can also adjust the height of the car and have it level...right now the front right is 1/4" lower then the left....so there is something wrong with the spring or I have a blown strut....

SO! What kind of coilovers do you have and what are your pro/con about them!

[scotrn]

I used to have dropzone adjustables, but they were waaaaaaay too stiff for me (I'd rather live without lower back and kidney damage, thank you). I sold them to Das for track use.
Now I have the Mopar stage 1 springs. I can't complain about them at all. Ride is only a smidge stiffer, and the drop is good enough for me.

[soulstrife]

hmm...do you know how i can test for a blown strut....i don't understand how it could be 1/4" lower on that side...i think that is why i am rubbing.

i had them installed by a friend that does work for a mechanic shop....so he does know what he is doing. he is even stumped at this problem..

[tom6433]

nah, it is normal for the passenger side to sit lower than teh driver's side. i thought it was just my car but i have secretly measured all of the gaps on everyone's car in our group and its all the same. the driver's side has .25" more gap than the passenger side.

BUT with hotchkis springs i don't see how you could be rubbing. i have sportlines and do not rub. what wheel & tire combo are you running?

[soulstrife]

huh! odd....

I am running 18x7.5 +35 Enkei RS7 with BFG KD 225/40/18

i'm temped just to buy two +45 enkeis to see if the tire will tuck in more....

pre camber adj i was sticking out of the fender just a little...and now i'm almost tucked into the fender...just need a little bit more!

[tom6433]

that is why i went from a +35 wheel to a +38 wheel. i was ok with the stock 205's but i wanted a wider tire and i knew i would have issues, so i sold the +35 wheels and bought +38's. just an fyi +45's will not fit. even enkei +42's will not fit. you will need to get a 40-38.

if anyone has any wheel/tire or suspension questions feel free to ask.

[tom6433]

i hope that made sense^^^^
if not i will try to clarify.

[soulstrife]

no made sense...hmm

what about axis reverb that come in 42...will those fit?

or what about motegi rf7 that come in 45?

would i be able to use a 3 or 5mm spacer to make a 45 to 42/40?

[tom6433]

ok i will give it another shot. the stock wheels have a +45mm offset, BUT were custom made to fit the stock brakes. any other wheel with a +45mm offset is not going to fit because it will hit the caliper. GENERALLY you will need a wheel that is between +40 and +35. the lower the # the further out away from teh hub the wheel will stick out. some ppl have found wheels with a +42 or even +45 that will fit w/o using spacers. the reason they fit largely depends on spoke design. to be safe (100% sure they will clear the caliper) most ppl just get a wheel with a +35mm offset. i even bought a set of wheels with a +35mm offset for thsi reason. however, they stuck out away from teh hub way too far for my liking. so i sold them and bought my current wheels that have a +38mm offset (don't stick out from hub as much).

so in conclusion, i would recommed finding a wheel that is has around a 38 or 40mm offset. that all changes however if you want to go with a wheel wider than 7.5" becuase then you have to worry about the wheel coming in contact with the strut.

it may be easier for you to post up links to wheels you are interested in and i will take a look at them. i am nto saying i am the "wheel god," but ive done my research.

[soulstrife]

http://www.axiswheels.com/wheels/reverb/reverb.html <-- discount tire says they come in +42mm

http://www.motegiracing.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=14&name=MR7%20Silver&pic=2073&style=2073&desc=&section=# <-- 18X7.5 +45mm

those are what I am looking at....any suggestions for something that would look good on silver would be nice aswell....unless you think going to coilover may just fix my problem.

[tom6433]

i would say coilovers or tokico illuminas would help you. ive just never heard of anyone having subbing issues with the hotchkis springs before.

you would need to run a spacer with either of those 2 wheels. a 3mm spacer for teh axis wheel and either a 3 or a 5mm spacer for the motegi's. both are pretty heavy too (20lbs+).

[soulstrife]

hmmm....could be the way i drive....lol


i've been really careful lately and havn't had tooo much of a problem...just i now have a nice new groove in my $200 tire :puke:

i think i'll try the IPP or Mopar S2 CO's.....

[tom6433]

is it hittin on the outside of the tire or is it rubbing in teh middle? like is it hitting on the lip of the fender or on the seam where teh fender meets up with the body?

[soulstrife]

the lip in the middle....i'll take a pic tomorrow to show you. I have a buddy that owns a bodyshop. once i find a winter beater the car is going to be stored there this winter so he can help me roll the front fenders....plus going to do some paint...ie side mirrors/b-pillars...might do some stripes on the hood and decklid..

[tom6433]

dude mine did the EXACT same thing when i put my springs on. come to find out i had the rears on ok, but the front springs were just on wrong. took them off and put them back on and fixed the problem. if you need help lmk, im usually free on weekends.

[soulstrife]

Really? you would be willing to help!

Umm...Saturday's normally work best for me because I get out of work around 10am-noonish depending how much cleanup i need to do. Sunday's are unfortunatly out of the question.

Let me know next time you have a Saturday afternoon/evening free....I am willing to drive if you have the tools because I don't.

[3rdgenguy]

ok i will give it another shot. the stock wheels have a +45mm offset, BUT were custom made to fit the stock brakes. any other wheel with a +45mm offset is not going to fit because it will hit the caliper. GENERALLY you will need a wheel that is between +40 and +35. the lower the # the further out away from teh hub the wheel will stick out. some ppl have found wheels with a +42 or even +45 that will fit w/o using spacers. the reason they fit largely depends on spoke design. to be safe (100% sure they will clear the caliper) most ppl just get a wheel with a +35mm offset. i even bought a set of wheels with a +35mm offset for thsi reason. however, they stuck out away from teh hub way too far for my liking. so i sold them and bought my current wheels that have a +38mm offset (don't stick out from hub as much).

so in conclusion, i would recommed finding a wheel that is has around a 38 or 40mm offset. that all changes however if you want to go with a wheel wider than 7.5" becuase then you have to worry about the wheel coming in contact with the strut.

it may be easier for you to post up links to wheels you are interested in and i will take a look at them. i am nto saying i am the "wheel god," but ive done my research.


:bowdown:

[tom6433]

Really? you would be willing to help!

Umm...Saturday's normally work best for me because I get out of work around 10am-noonish depending how much cleanup i need to do. Sunday's are unfortunatly out of the question.

Let me know next time you have a Saturday afternoon/evening free....I am willing to drive if you have the tools because I don't.

i do have (some) tools but i don't have a garage. i will talk to mprtklr about using his place. it might/might not work out cuz his wife is expected to go into labor any time now.

[tom6433]

:bowdown:
ha, i wish. just trying to help a guy out. i swear ive seen this pics of his car before and commented on it not looking right. but since there aren't many ppl on here yet, the threads do not get filled full of junk.

[soulstrife]

so you just want to let me know when you can help me look at this? ... Saturday's work best...just let me know when we have a spot to look at everything

[tom6433]

so you just want to let me know when you can help me look at this? ... Saturday's work best...just let me know when we have a spot to look at everything
i will make some calls and see if i can find a place for this saturday.

[soulstrife]

damn! that would rock!! i would probably get out of work noonish...plus i would be driving from Grand Rapids....so plan on me being there in the evening.

[tom6433]

well mprtklr said that he doesn't have a problem with us using he garage. PM me your cell # and if something comes up that we can't do it (his wife goes into labor, etc.) i will let you know. i will PM you his address and my cell # here as soon as i can find is address.

[soulstrife]

pm sent