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Tire rub
wheels149 - October 9th, 2016 at 06:53 AM

Have put two and a half inch drop spindles on my 70 Beetle and lowered the back to suit. Looks good, rides better but if I put one passenger or more in I get tire rub on the front guards, when I turn. Any suggestions to lift it a fraction? Would new shocks or sway bar do the trick?


AA003 - October 9th, 2016 at 10:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wheels149
Would new shocks or sway bar do the trick?


No.


Bizarre - October 9th, 2016 at 11:35 AM

what are the specs of your wheels and tyres - offset especially


psimitar - October 9th, 2016 at 09:19 PM

Where does it rub? Headlight bowl, inner wing, outer wing? On full lock? What wheels you have and width of tyres used? All this gives a better idea of where the problem may lay :)


wheels149 - October 10th, 2016 at 07:21 AM

Sorry, sorry, obviously not enough information. Stock steelies (positive off set) with 165/80/15 tires. Rubbing on the outside edge of the guard at 1 o-clock and 10 o-clock. Only while turning, does not rub in a straight line.


HappyDaze - October 10th, 2016 at 07:25 AM

Quote:
Rubbing on the outside edge of the guard at 1 o-clock and 10 o-clock.

Suggest not driving the car at those times.


wheels149 - October 10th, 2016 at 08:46 AM

Thanks for that advise.


vduboy - October 10th, 2016 at 09:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by HappyDaze
Quote:
Rubbing on the outside edge of the guard at 1 o-clock and 10 o-clock.

Suggest not driving the car at those times.

That is awesome!
A lot of people put those silly low profile smart car tyres on to gain a little clearance..


psimitar - October 11th, 2016 at 09:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wheels149
Sorry, sorry, obviously not enough information. Stock steelies (positive off set) with 165/80/15 tires. Rubbing on the outside edge of the guard at 1 o-clock and 10 o-clock. Only while turning, does not rub in a straight line.


Hmm, odd thought but I wonder if there is a difference in offset for front drums and front disc brakes? Cos only way I can think of curing the problem is with greater wheel offset, hence pulling the rim inwards to the arch a bit. Probably only needs 5-10mm of extra offset.

Otherwise you can try the baseball bat method and use the bat to roll the inner edge of the arch, making the return lip narrower and giving enough clearance for the tyre.

Or you'll have to go with 145 Smart car tyres.


wheels149 - October 12th, 2016 at 07:19 PM

Thanks Man,
I will investigate the Smart Tire thing. I very nearly did the baseball bat thing when I first noticed it. Or.............if I drive around without passengers, no tire rub, ehhhh!


coletrickle - October 12th, 2016 at 08:32 PM

I think the 80 series profile is part of your problem.whats the factory tire spec translate to todays radials? A nerdy mate imported some verdenstiens? for his 71standard to get them right. How about a set of michelin 165's? Not all tires are measured the same, maybe vist a tire shop?


psimitar - October 12th, 2016 at 09:30 PM

5.60 x 15 crossplys originally that equate to 155/80x15 these days. Used to be available in the UK n Europe but over here the closest is 165/80x15.
Width and aspect ratio are meant to be industry standard but the curving of the tyres shoulder is not and hence some tyres have a squarer shoulder than another that is the same width and ratio.

An extra passenger is an extra 80kg, for example, and enough to lower the ride just enough to make things rub.


Special Air Service - October 13th, 2016 at 10:29 PM

the drop spindles have pushed your front wheel track our, somewhere between 12- 25mm per side, which is really wher the problem comes from


wheels149 - October 14th, 2016 at 07:21 AM

Yes, and they say drop spindles don't change anything except ride height! My local tire guy is a old school mate so he is going to fit a few secondhand (different size) tires for me to try. Will see how we go.


psimitar - October 14th, 2016 at 08:51 PM

Oh yea, forgot some of the lesser brands of dropped spindle do increase the track. Ones from CSP etc are zero track increase IIRC.


wheels149 - October 20th, 2016 at 05:32 PM

So the fix is both front tires are now 185/60/15, problem solved. Thanks for the advise, am now driving at 1 o'clock and 10 o'clock daily!


HappyDaze - October 20th, 2016 at 05:59 PM

'onya, wheels :tu:

Hope you used a cricket bat...that's the Aussie way.:yes:


psimitar - October 20th, 2016 at 09:28 PM

Glad you got it sorted and hope the reduction in sidewall height still give you the look you were after :)