steering and suspension 195/60/14's Rubbing After Rotation

[lilcphoto]

 

I rotated my tires (x pattern) and now the tires are rubbing too much into the towers. beforehand they weren't so bad. What would be the best, most appropriate fix for the situation?  Not sure what PO has installed as far as suspension pieces goes, but it seems comfortable (aside from the new rubbing over bumps and in hard corners)

 

[lilcphoto]

I am sorry I am not as informed about suspension work as others, but nobody has an answer for me? Is it just a spacer that I need to add? do I need to get it looked at to see what else might be an issue? 

 

I understand the bits and pieces of a suspension, as well as how it works, but as far as adjustments go, I am clueless. If its just a spacer that I need to add in between the hub and the wheel then I can do that. If these sized tires don't normally fit with this car, then I might consider taking the steps to do such, but it would be lovely to have some advice on the situation.

[Tommy]

Well your tire size is kind of big for your car. But if it was ok before...

 

Things to check to find out reason for the change. Are all your wheels same ET and width? I would assume so if they are the bottle caps in the picture. Perhaps there was spacer under some wheel?  Could it be stuck on the wheel and now in different place? Last and maybe most probable cause -  Are all the tires same brand? There are differences between tire brands. Though the markings would be same one might rub while other doesn't. To fix it you can install thin 3mm spacer but thicker may require taller bolts.

 

   HTH,  Tommy

[gliding_serpent2]

I rotated my tires (x pattern) and now the tires are rubbing too much into the towers. beforehand they weren't so bad.

Maybe I am interpreting things too liberally, but to me you are saying that they rubbed before, but rub more now post rotation. 

 

Maybe the issue is a simple one.  Maybe they rubbed less before, because they rubbed more in the beginning, and thus in time began to rub less, because there was less rubber where they originally rubbed.  

 

How old is the suspension?  All suspensions sag with time, thus making a car more prone to rub.  Maybe there was minimal rubbing when it was fresh and firm (but with minimal clearance), but it slowly sagged, and slowly rubbed, thus slowly wearing down the part of the tire that rubbed, so it never felt extreme.  Now you may have a big fat fresh tire on sagging suspension rubbing like crazy.  I put my money on this answer.

   

It could be a tire pressure thing.  Lower pressure in a tire, and the sidewall flexes more. Thus more lateral rubbing.  Check your pressures, maybe they arenot the same.

 

That, or someone bent your rims and or suspension when you were not looking.   

 

That being said, I run 6x14 e30 bottlecaps w 195/60/14 tires without spacers w IE stage 1 springs, HD shocks, and IE sways, with front spacer out and cut rear spring seats, and I could not get it to rub on the track under hard cornering, let alone the street. My car is not as low as yours however. 

 

 

Edited October 21, 2013 by gliding_serpent

[lilcphoto]

Maybe I am interpreting things too liberally, but to me you are saying that they rubbed before, but rub more now post rotation. 

 

Maybe the issue is a simple one.  Maybe they rubbed less before, because they rubbed more in the beginning, and thus in time began to rub less, because there was less rubber where they originally rubbed.  

 

How old is the suspension?  All suspensions sag with time, thus making a car more prone to rub.  Maybe there was minimal rubbing when it was fresh and firm (but with minimal clearance), but it slowly sagged, and slowly rubbed, thus slowly wearing down the part of the tire that rubbed, so it never felt extreme.  Now you may have a big fat fresh tire on sagging suspension rubbing like crazy.  I put my money on this answer.

   

It could be a tire pressure thing.  Lower pressure in a tire, and the sidewall flexes more. Thus more lateral rubbing.  Check your pressures, maybe they arenot the same.

 

That, or someone bent your rims and or suspension when you were not looking.   

 

That being said, I run 6x14 e30 bottlecaps w 195/60/14 tires without spacers w IE stage 1 springs, HD shocks, and IE sways, with front spacer out and cut rear spring seats, and I could not get it to rub on the track under hard cornering, let alone the street. My car is not as low as yours however. 

 

I had this thought too.. maybe beforehand they were rubbing, and now with fresh tire swappage they rub more.

 

I thought I saw the suspension getting refreshed by the PO, but I could take a look again to verify. It is nice to know that they do fit without rubbing and no spacer, so I'll have to dig a little deeper.

 

I was planning on taking it to a shop to have them look at the transmission, I might talk to them about checking out the suspension while they are at it.

[KFunk]

You mean the rear shock towers, right?

 

What about the big rubber bumpstops that sit in the middle of the spring?  Could someone have popped them out thinking that they weren't necessary?  I've heard of people doing that, but I'm sure leaving mine in there. 

 

#2 here: http://bmwmobiletradition-onlinecom.x-shops.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=2213&mospid=47140&btnr=33_0886&hg=33&fg=45

 

You should be able to peek under there yourself and see they are there.

 

I also run 195/60-14s, as do many others, and never had these problems.  It's not that much different than stock.  I've run them on E30 basketweaves, miata wheels, etc., and they're pretty safe from ever rubbing.  Unless you've got some weird snow or mud tires on there with odd dimensions, then something is up with your suspension.

 

Edited October 21, 2013 by KFunk

[lilcphoto]

Everything looks to be up in there, though the issue still exists. Seemed to get worse after a full tank of gas haha...

 

I am thinking that it needs an alignment, or perhaps it needs an upgrade at this point. The ride is quite comfortable, but I would love to feel the refresh that it once was from the factory. I'll have to see what my funds pan out to be after a few other upgrades.

[KFunk]

An alignment won't change anything in the rear-end.  The only thing they can adjust is the toe on the front end.

 

For some reason there is too much travel in the rear.  Is it possible someone accidentally put the front springs in the rear, and rears in front?

 

If I remember right, the rear springs are much taller than the fronts.  Some people might easily think that the tall springs should go in the front, but thats not the case.

[lilcphoto]

An alignment won't change anything in the rear-end.  The only thing they can adjust is the toe on the front end.

 

For some reason there is too much travel in the rear.  Is it possible someone accidentally put the front springs in the rear, and rears in front?

 

If I remember right, the rear springs are much taller than the fronts.  Some people might easily think that the tall springs should go in the front, but thats not the case.

 

Who knows what the PO has done, but the car went through an engine refresh by a well known local shop, I would assume they would have mentioned something about it if its off.

 

I am sure its just due for an overhaul. From the photos, does it look lower than it should be?

Edited October 25, 2013 by lilcphoto