Dropped and rubbing...

[UBERS4]

I finally got my coils set where I want it and I'm getting a little rubbing. I removed the 12 o'clock bolt and that helps but it seems at higher speeds, I still rub. My wheel offset is not the problem and I'm running 235/35/19 tires. I remember seeing something about thinning the felt in the rear fender. Can someone attest to that?

My car is currently getting an alignment so maybe that will help out a little. Any other ideas would be appreciated. I'd really like to avoid raising my coils up or rolling the fender if possible.

[swrt83]

You must be dumped pretty low to have rubbing issues. What offset are you running, anyway? I have 38et with same size tires and rub only on big bumps/dips (i think) but is very minimal.. from what I understand, you won't get much more out of rolling the fender on a b6

[ichibunz]

i have the same tire size but no rubbing at all...what's your ride height? I run 25" ride all around with 19's no issues and 35ET.

[MOFSTEEL]

What is your ET and ride height?
Some negative camber might help your rub.

[hackers4]

Size and offset of wheels? Also, what brand of tires are you running?

[UBERS4]

I just got the car back and good news, the alignment helped the rubbing. From the sounds of it, no problems over dips, railroads, hills, etc. BUT, I now have come across a much bigger problem.

In a nutshell, I have developed some severe tire wear on the inside of my front tires. When the dealership told me, I thought they were BS'ing me but sure enough, I'm seeing threads. I'm totally puzzled on how this has come about. I got my coils on and set about 6 weeks ago. I let them settle and went in for an alignment today. I MIGHT have put 1,000 miles on them over the last few weeks. As you can see in the picture below, I got mad tire wear and the front tires are pretty much shot. My toe and camber was off but there's no way it would have harmed the sidewall like it did. My question is where could the culprit be coming from? Am I rubbing something suspension wise that I can't see? Could it be the fault of a poor install? Regardless, I need new tires. I just want to make sure that once I get new ones on, I don't have the same issue.



Also, for you guys who are lowered heavily, have you noticed any pre mature tire wear?

[AudiOso]

You'd be surprised at how quickly tires can wear due to incorrect alignment. If the toe is off the tires can scrub really badly, and if the toe was off with the tires pointing in you could have easily worn the tires through to the ribs in the 1k miles you drove the car.

[swaigo]

looks like you hit the pinch bolt/ steering knuckle on the inside, I have 19x8.5 with 235/35/19 up front and had to space it out because it was way to close.

[UBERS4]

looks like you hit the pinch bolt/ steering knuckle on the inside, I have 19x8.5 with 235/35/19 up front and had to space it out because it was way to close.

That would make sense. Could you elaborate a little more on what you mean by spacing it out? Do you mean you had to install spacers?

Thanks guys. You've been a good help so far and I'm getting closer to sourcing the issue.

[cops04s4]

Damn Im about to install my coils on friday, And will be running the same size wheels and planned on going low... Spacers might work...

[cucubee5]

I just got the car back and good news, the alignment helped the rubbing. From the sounds of it, no problems over dips, railroads, hills, etc. BUT, I now have come across a much bigger problem.

In a nutshell, I have developed some severe tire wear on the inside of my front tires. When the dealership told me, I thought they were BS'ing me but sure enough, I'm seeing threads. I'm totally puzzled on how this has come about. I got my coils on and set about 6 weeks ago. I let them settle and went in for an alignment today. I MIGHT have put 1,000 miles on them over the last few weeks. As you can see in the picture below, I got mad tire wear and the front tires are pretty much shot. My toe and camber was off but there's no way it would have harmed the sidewall like it did. My question is where could the culprit be coming from? Am I rubbing something suspension wise that I can't see? Could it be the fault of a poor install? Regardless, I need new tires. I just want to make sure that once I get new ones on, I don't have the same issue.



Also, for you guys who are lowered heavily, have you noticed any pre mature tire wear?

Woah! I've never seen that before.

Can you take more pictures of this?

[hackers4]

I've never heard or seen anything like that. What is the offset of the wheels you are running. No matter how close you are to the knuckle, it won't hit if it doesn't rub upon install; it moves with the wheel/tire. That had to be alignment or the offset is incorrect and THEN it will rub on the knuckle.

[Monchichi8]

With the camber off for a 1000 miles, it can for sure chew through tires like that.I usually let the car settle for a couple days and then go get it done.Maybe a 100 miles tops but more likely 60-70 miles.

[UBERS4]

With the camber off for a 1000 miles, it can for sure chew through tires like that.I usually let the car settle for a couple days and then go get it done.Maybe a 100 miles tops but more likely 60-70 miles.

Agreed.

Here's an update guys. I went to my shop and he said it does not look like I'm rubbing on anything important or at all. He stated the same thing above, if the toe/camber is off enough, wear wouldn't be uncommon. Regardless, I need new tires and they will be here shortly. I then will get things realigned and let you guys know the final outcome.

[mystro]

I would like to see a pic of how low you are dropped.

[UBERS4]

I would like to see a pic of how low you are dropped.

I'm low but I've seen people lower. My Teins could still go lower but I'm happy with the ride height.

[HOFFY11]

I'm low but I've seen people lower. My Teins could still go lower but I'm happy with the ride height.

ohh boy..minus the stickers on the front bumper..i would say that is a savagely sexy looking vehicle =D

[UBERS4]

*Update*

I got my new tires on late last week and finished up the alignment and made sure everything was set. I drove to and from HIN Minneapolis (around 650 miles) last weekend and since then, no problems at all. Rubbing has pretty much gone away (still some slight rubbing over big bumps at high speed but I'm super low) and the wear seems to be good. I plan to go into my shop and have them look just to be 100% sure but all looks well. FYI, I am dropped 24 1/4 inches from the fender to ground.

So the moral of my story is to get an alignment immediately, especially when you tinker with your suspension. Even though my tires should never have worn like they did, this situation might have been better off if things were done a little differently. I still need to tweak some things in order to stop scraping entirely but at this ride height, it might just come with the territory.

[ant7701]

24 1/4".....WOW thats low. Question.....do you have camber adjustable upper control arms in the front??? Because at that height I can tell you now that your camber is wayyyy off and you might end up needed some new tires real soon again.

Inside and outside edges can also be worn by aggressive driving. Taking hard turns alot like parkway off ramps and the twisties really do a number on the edges. AND the softness of your tire will make a contribution.

[S4J]

ohh boy..minus the stickers on the front bumper..i would say that is a savagely sexy looking vehicle =D

I agree, but if I'm not mistaken, his car is sponsored. Here you go though...nice ride!

[UBERS4]

24 1/4".....WOW thats low. Question.....do you have camber adjustable upper control arms in the front??? Because at that height I can tell you now that your camber is wayyyy off and you might end up needed some new tires real soon again.

Inside and outside edges can also be worn by aggressive driving. Taking hard turns alot like parkway off ramps and the twisties really do a number on the edges. AND the softness of your tire will make a contribution.

I have the OEM control arms. I had an alignment already with the new tires on and all the numbers came out fine. But, I wasn't happy with the way things were done so I'm going in again on Tuesday to another shop.

My main concern right now to eliminate any and all rubbing. The fronts are fine but the rears could be better. We'll see if this next alignment helps as my only options would be to run negative camber (something I obviously don't want) or raise my coils up enough so they just barely don't scrape.