i have a '93 sol si that was lowered with eibach sportline springs (1.8" F&R), tokico 5-ways in the front, and KYBs in the rear. everything was cool w/ the stock 195/65/14s, but when i went w/ 16" rims and 205/50/16s, they started rubbing.

i know 45s or 40s are suggested for 16s on my car, but i wanted a little more cushion in the tires... hense the 50-profile.

so... i jumped the front tokicos up to the full-firm 5 setting, and still some rubbing, so i bought some eibach pro springs (1.2" drop) and tokico 5-ways for the rear, hoping this would solve the problem. unfortunately, i still have rubbing... little mind you, but still rubbing. i even installed the rear ST sway bar (19mm) to stiffen things up in the rear, but... still rubbing.

i HATE that i've poured about 1500 into my car and can't have fun with it yet! what else can i do shy of buying another set of (lower profile) tires???

 

i should add:

i've looked into spring rates, figuring i'd go with higher spring rates and a higher ride all around, but i've found there's not much of a market for this... at least, not from what i've seen.

seems like i have one of two options from any given afermarket spring manufacturer:

minimal drop and low spring rate (for that "close to stock" ride comfort) OR
big drop and high spring rate

either way: the minimal drop have too much give/travel to them... so much so they end up rubbing anyways, and the others drop too low from the get-go.

ideas? suggestions?

 

Are they leaving a mark on the tire where there are rubbing? Is it on the outer edge? If so, just roll your fenders. I had this problem once and thats how I solved it. I dont see why though after changing to the Pro from the Sports that that didnt solve it. Have you gotten it aligned? You might have to look into new tires.

 

definitely outer edge & definitely from the fender lip. i rolled them, and that alleviated a lot of the rubbing, but not completely.

i've gotten it aligned, and will be back to get it aligned (after all recent changes) first-thing tomorrow morning... got my fingers crossed, but feeling pessimistic about the problem going away w/ alignment only.

 

what is the offset on the wheels?

 

got the alignment done, rolled all four fender well lips nicely, and adjusted the illuminas to full-firm (setting 5). test drove it, and for the neighborhood run, she didn't rub. next i'll get on some of the interstate on/off ramps and put her to the test... problem is, i don't want to keep the fronts on full firm...

mike:
not sure on the offset. they're rota c8, 4x100 lug pattern, and 16x7"s...


Modified by cree at 6:22 PM 3/12/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cree &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">problem is, i don't want to keep the fronts on full firm...</TD></TR></TABLE>So dont. Get it where you want it to ride and if it rubs there then just find another way to fix the problem.

 

fortunately, after many-a-hour thoroughly rolling all four fender lips, putting stiffer springs up front, adjustable illuminas all around, ST (19mm) rear sway, etc... SHE'S NOT RUBBING, and i couldn't be happier.

i've taken her around a few on/off ramps a little harder than usual, but not close to the limit just yet... WOW what a difference! there's SO much more control/balance... and those T1Ss grip!!

looking forward to having some time to dial in the illuminas just right... currently, i have the fronts on setting 2 and the rears at full-stiffness 5.