Vinnie Mac

I have got a 95 import WRX, onto which is fitted Cusco struts upper and lower, front and back and Whiteline drop links (from the group buy a few months ago).

I fitted 18" Oz/Prodrive P1 wheels about 18 months ago, had to use 3mm spacers on the rear due to VERY slight rubbing on the conical shroud thing at the bottom of the suspension spring (sorry if this is not making much sense, but I aint that mechanical), ran for about a year with no problems.

Changed the tyres about six months ago (same make and size).

Over the last couple of months, if driving enthusiastically around a sharp corner, to the right usually, or encountering a compression at speed, there is a noise from the rear drivers side wheel arch (over very quickly).

Does anybody know if this is rubbing or something is on the way out at that corner?

I have had a look but cannot see any signs of damage to the shroud or the inner edge of the tyre.

I put on 5mm spacers to give a larger gap, but it still occurs.

Do I put the 3 and 5mm spacers together to get the gap larger? or can I put longer studs in to make sure there is enough bite for the wheelnuts?

Is it some component giving out?

Or change the type size (225x35 at the moment) to 215, although this would be a pain, as I still have masses of tread left before I need new ones.

Any other possibilities I can look at?

Thanks

Scooby96

take your lower strut brace off - can increase accident damage in the event of a shunt!

mutant_matt

...but makes the car stiffer and handle better the rest of the time....

If you can't spot the problem, take the car to a competent garage and let them have a look at it? I would also try and not use spacers and certainly not two together.....

Matt

Vinnie Mac

ttt

Kippax

vinnie,

it can rub in 2 places; the wheel arch or the strut. if the wheel is sticking too far out (big spacer) it could rub on the arch. if you've no spacer (too far in), its more likely to rub the strut. have you undone the strut bolts at any stage? if not, i suspect your suspension has softened over time and with the new tyre tread depth, youve noticed the rub.

raise the suspension by 10mm. if it still rubs, its not the arch, its the strut deflecting ever so slightly round corners and rubbing. you need to fit spacers and dial some negative camber for this. if it stops rubbing when its raised 10mm, its fouling the arch. give it some negative camber (-1.5 deg) but not too much so it fouls the strut (or fit shorter springs).

also, you can tell by looking on the lip or the arch if its rubbing.

stu.

Vinnie Mac

Thanks Stu,

It must be the strut because it definately isn't the arches m8.

Waiting to have a geometry set up done once the brakes are on, will they sort out the camber then? Also what shorter springs are good and available?

Kippax

vinnie,

they wouldnt have to check/adjust the geometry just to do the brakes but i would suggest you get it checked. i am running leda b's with 225x35x18". first of all i got some shorter rear springs from leda (im sure they could help). then i got the ride height how i wanted it without fouling the arches, then had the corner weight distribution and geometry done (-1.5 negative camber all round). when they test drove it it was rubbing on the struts at the rear so a 3mm spacer sorted that out. it takes a while to get it right but i have no rubbing problems at all now.

stu.

Vinnie Mac

Got a contact address for Leda m8 please?

Brakes are being fitted now m8, so need to get car back first

Thanks again Stu

Kippax

here m8.......no worries

Vinnie Mac

Cheers Kippax