Need Help/Advice/Answers/Explaining

[FlyinEsi]

Guys, I am having a real problem with either my suspension setup, or my tires. I bought some 18x8 HP Racing EVO wheels with 235/40 rubber. I also installed Apex'i World Sport coilovers. The car is dropped about 1.5-2.0" and the wheels sit perfectly flush with the body. I took the car on a road trip and on the interstate, on bumps for bridges, or waves in the road the weight of the car would come down on the suspension and the tires would rub on the fender and the fender lip. The lip started shreadding my brand new tires but the tire rubs on the fender too...soooo

I am thinking about selling the Apex'i coilovers or the rims/tires. I am thinking I need a stiffer suspension. I was looking at the H&R springs with a Koni sport adjustable shock, but I don't know if this will give me a stiffer ride. Is it the spring that gives the stiffness, or the strut, or both???

I don't know much about suspension, but I know I need the car to not flex at all. I need it to be stiff as a rock. Is this possible? Or should I just sell the rims and get somethign with less offset?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Defiant]

Maybe... get tires and wheels that'll fit?

 

[wret]

Uhh... They are coilovers right? Aren't they height adjustable?

 

[FlyinEsi]

Yes, the coilovers are height adjustable, I have them cranked all the way up and they still rub, but less.

The rims I bought, I know they fit, there is a guy over on 2gnt.com that has them, they look wicked and he has had no problem with them rubbing.

 

[leakyfaucet]

Did you change the overall diameter of your wheel? It sounds to me like the wheel is to blame...

 

[jtmcinder]

If you're really going to try to help this guy, ask him what his offset is. He already said that he has 235/40/18s, which is almost exactly stock in diameter. If he had the right offset, they'd tuck in; odds are, his offset is too low and he didn't roll the fender lips. An unrolled fender lip on a 2G can shred a tire rather quickly ... reach in there and feel the thing.

- Jtoby

 

[cait sith]

Roll those fenders! It's pretty easy and you'll be able to keep your same exact settings.

 

[FlyinEsi]

The offset of the rim is +40. Here is what they look like on the car

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v132/flyinesi/?action=view&current=2004_0701_185137AA.jpg

you can tell they come right out flush with the body. I have not rolled the fenders, but I don't think that is going to help. They seem to be rubbing on the actual lip on the fender, not just the lip inside the fender, if that makes any sense.

I'm really torn on what to do here guys. I have someone that wants to buy my suspension, but I don't want to give it up because it is such a smooth ride, and I don't want to sell my rims because 1) they are sweet, but expensive, and 2) one of them is already damaged from me dropping it on its face one of the days I was pissed and took the tires off about 6 times.

I feel like I'm in a lose-lose situation here, but I might try rolling the fenders this weekend and see if that helps.

If you guys have any more questions or comments, I'll try my hardest to answer or try them.

Thanks,
Dan

Edit: P.S. What is the best way to roll the fenders?? I have heard of doing it with a baseball bat, but that doesn't sound like the best way. What do you suggest?

 

[cait sith]

Seriously, you can do it with a baseball bat. I know guys who use old shoes.

You can also get a fender rolling tool for like 65 bucks and do it with that. If you're not sure you can do it, a body shop that specializes in big BMW/Lexus/bling bling car clientelle will no doubt be able to do it for a small fee.

Rolling fenders really isn't that big of a deal. Good luck.

 

[wret]

I suggest clipping the flange at least every couple inches before you try to bend it. The baseball bat method is fine. By a tube of roofing cement and slather it over the rough edges when you are done.

More than likely this is your problem, but if you are still rubbing the fenders you need to find a way to get a few more milimeters out of your suspension. Mine was hitting the fender at one point and it took about 2mm to fix it.

 

[FlyinEsi]

Is there a chance of actually putting a dent in the fender by bending this upward??? I realize I need to be careful, but is this an actual possibility?

 

[Defiant]

I don't like the idea, but apparently it's fairly common:

http://www.andrews.edu/~johnsonm/howto/rollfender.html

 

[wret]

Is there a chance of actually putting a dent in the fender by bending this upward??? I realize I need to be careful, but is this an actual possibility?

I don't think you have to worry about denting your fender. You will deflect your tire and let the air out of it before that happens. It's just the welded flange where the sheet metal came together that you are trying to push out of the way.

If you don't want to mess up your bat, a length of steel conduit works fine.

 

[FlyinEsi]

Alright, I'm going to give that a go either tonight if I have time, or this weekend at latest. I really don't want to sell these rims, or my suspension just to make this work, and I really love both.

I appreciate everyones help. I'll let you know how it turns out as soon as I get it done.

Thanks
Dan