19mm spindles / 15” Fuchs

[Glenfield]

Team,

Have been running 19mm raised spindles on bilstein struts with 7x16” Fuchs for three years.

Made the mistake of swapping to 7x15”s presuming it would fit off the shelf. Was quick to realize post fact that this is a known no-no.

Now seems spindles are 19mm+. See below image with struts on car … I doubt it’s 4.25 (or 25mm raised) but does seem to be more than 19mm.

Believe I need to clearance 3mm. Can that be done by grinding the ball joint. What else can I do short of lowering spindles.

Regards,
Tom

[Glenfield]

[nickelplated5s]

Put the 16"s back on. There's another thread here with someone having a similar problem.

[Glenfield]

Yep.

I’m scuttled. Thought spindles were 19mm higher which can be made to work with some fettling I’ve since learned. Turns out they were setup for 16s and were raised 25mm all along.

I’m pretty invested in the 15s (freshly finished and fresh rubber) so will have to explore lowering spindles / new struts in the winter.

[nickelplated5s]

If you still have tires on the 16's swap them out for the summer. Personally after reading about issues I'd go 15-17 if I was going to do it. I've read BillV but haven't done the measurements/math for mine. Here's what no one ever addresses, if you lower the car you lower the RC. Raised spindles will lower the RC at existing height. If you are going to change the spindles get what you want in writing first. Apparently that was an issue in the other thread.

[Glenfield]

Thanks mate. All said, can appreciate why they were raised 25mm for 16s and it’s on me for not double checking before I went 15s. Can’t presume.

Will cost $1100 to re-adjust spindle height. Must say, I’m strongly considering replacing all with KW or similar. They come with 19mm spindles so not out of the woods on clearance if I go that route but can be done seemingly.

I’d then sell what are really a brand new raised Bilstein setup.

[stownsen914]

You could check the clearance, noting that some clearancing on the A arm might be needed. Don't forget to check at different ride heights (to the extent possible anyway).

[stownsen914]

Re: roll centers, it's been a while since I played wiht the numbers, but the difference n roll center height from moving the spindles a few mm will be small. The bigger gain is to bring the suspension closer to its intended range of motion which minimizes multiple other ills that negatively impact handling.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Yep.

I’m scuttled. Thought spindles were 19mm higher which can be made to work with some fettling I’ve since learned. Turns out they were setup for 16s and were raised 25mm all along.

I’m pretty invested in the 15s (freshly finished and fresh rubber) so will have to explore lowering spindles / new struts in the winter.

Post them for trade. There might be someone out there who already has 19mm raised to trade for your 25mm.

[nickelplated5s]

22" ground to lip in the front. No raised spindles and handles flat.

[famoroso]

Have 19mm raised spindle KWs. Love 'em. I run 16s / haven't tried 15s tho.

Would be interested in your struts if you end up selling.