Wheel Well Problem

bfegan · 06-27-2004, 03:38 PM

I just purchased a set of Fuchs 7&9X16s. They came with Kumho Ecsta712 225X50's in the front and 245X45's in the rear. There is no apparent problem with fender clearance in the front... needless to say no problems in the back.

When I make a hard left turn I encounter slight momentary resistance and hear a "scrape" in the right front wheel well. It is of very brief duration and the wheel continues on through it with no apparent additional problems.

I will take the car to my mechanic tomorrow to put on a lift and try to see what is happening.

Any suggestions regarding what to look for?

Thanks.

rfuerst911sc · 06-27-2004, 04:21 PM

I think if you are hearing a scrape then there should be visible marks from rubbing if that is the noise,any chance your noise is wheel bearings?

bfegan · 06-27-2004, 04:46 PM

Thanks

I'm pretty certain it is not the bearings... only became noticable when I drove away from putting on the new wheels. Also the bearings were recently serviced.

I can't see any rub marks. I'm wondering if the wheel is "grazing" against something else in there. Turning to the left shouldn't put the wheel in contact with the fender... should it?

JP911 · JP911's Garage

The tire in the right front wheel well may be hitting the oil cooler. You may also want to have a look at the paint on the inside of the fender lip. If it's scratched or marred it may be what the wheel is contacting.

bfegan · 06-27-2004, 05:01 PM

Thanks. The oil cooler goes on the candidate list. I looked at the paint (albeit somewhat superficially) to try and find rub marks.

The resistance when turning is slight, of short duration but noticable and noisy.

Carrera3.5L · Carrera3.5L's Garage

Sorry to hear that you may having a clearance issue. I also just put 7's and 9's on with 205/55 and 245/45's ES100's respectively.

No clearance issues as of yet. Fenders have not been rolled and and alignment set with 1 degree of negative camber in the front. There is no rubbing with the wheels turned completely left or right so I should be okay.

Admittedly I have not taken it over any real harsh bumps yet nor with a passenger in the car. Car is also only set at Euro ride height so not too low. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Certain tire brands have a larger section width than others, even though the sizes are the same. An extra tenth of an inch could be all it is. I don't know offhand where the Kumho's fall in that range but check Tire Rack's website as they should have all that info.

Ralph

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

89911 posted this pic of where the tires can rub on the inner panel.

Another possible interference point is the front bumper/fender joint

bfegan · 06-27-2004, 05:33 PM

Thanks. I think the 225's are a big part of the problem. If the 225's hadn't come with the purchase, I'd have used 205's.

Good points on the Kumho specs and the front bumper/fender joint... but wouldn't that create firm resistance? My resistance is slight, momentary and occurs about halfway through the wheel turn.

Thanks again!

rbcsaver · 06-27-2004, 05:53 PM

I just put 225x50x16 Dunlop SP 8000's on the front of my
84 Carrera, The dang things rub on the wheel lips on bumps. I just had my car aligned with the 225 on the front and 245s on the rear. No probs with the rears. Also watch the AC lines running in the top front left wheel well. This is the second time that I have tried 225s on the front and these just don't work on the usual 80s Carreras.
regards,
Steve

bfegan · 06-27-2004, 06:06 PM

Steve, Thanks. I first noticed the rubbing when slowly going over a speed bump. Subsequently I went slowly and tried a slow left turn on level ground, same thing.

Maybe the 225's are just too big?

stomachmonkey · 06-28-2004, 06:13 AM

Have you had an alignment recently?

Scott

bfegan · 06-28-2004, 06:47 AM

Scott,

The car has been professionally aligned within the year.

Bill Verburg had the correct diagnosis!

Thr chin spoiler was not properly aligned with the fender well on the passenger side and it protruded about 1/4" into the wheel well. The tire was just barely grazing this at its'widest point in the left turn. Either I or the PO probably bumped into something parking and pushed it back slightly. The drivers' side is OK.

I gently bent the spoiler lip back even with the fender well and the scrape/rub is gone! Still, there is not much clearance room. BTW, the rubber of the spoiler had never been completely pressed onto its valence on the passenger side (drivers' OK) where it enters the wheel well.

Question, How much of a threat does this close fit pose for hard driving? Would I be better off to bite the bullet and get some 205's for the front?

Thanks.