Tires rubbing fender - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

adey · 11-04-2002, 01:37 AM

I was looking over my car briefly tonight after yesterdays Speedtrial track event... and noticed a few slash/cut marks around the sidewall/outside tread of my rear left tire.
The cuts/slashes aren't too bad, only about 1mm deep (or so it feels/looks) and has cut small marks in the "dunlop" logo, as well as further "out," on the tire's far-outer tread.

However, going around to my right rear tire, there were no marks whatsoever- it was clean and showed no signs of fender-rubbing. Why is this? I'm kind of stumped as to why it's only my rear left. The rear shock settings were at 12 and 13 out of 16 clicks, 16 being the hardest.
There is a roughly 7/8" clearance between the tire and fender, and my wheel/tire sticks out about 3/8" from the car. It's a 205/55/15 tire on a 15x7 +5mm rim.

So what would cause rubbing only on my left wheel? Could it be the fact that we were going clockwise on the track? (there being more right turns than left hence loading the left tires more.)
I can't imagine a <1mm cut in the top layer of rubber to be too serious, but is there any real danger driving on this? (the cuts were only apparent after the race, and don't rub in daily driving)

any suggestions?

edit: that is, suggestions other than rolling my fender, which I will do asap.

*LanceS13* · 11-04-2002, 10:29 AM

sounds like you've already answered your own question and found the solution.

why the crazy offset?

adey · 11-04-2002, 11:23 AM

so the answer is simply that there were more hard rights than hard lefts? ... and that I should just to roll the fender? ... oh.  Well that was easier than I expected! <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>
I just thought there might be something more to it.

re: the rims - I got a really good deal on them! ... well, at least until I found out that they wouldn't clear my front calipers. <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>  I actually get the feeling that my wheels are a good deal wider than 'most' 7" rims, or at least has a significantly larger lip. I've seen 7" rims with a +0 offset tuck themselves cleanly under stock S13 fenders, so I don't know why mine won't!

Dousan_PG · 11-04-2002, 11:29 AM

yeah that track is hard rights, one hard left after the hard right on the uphill before it levels out on the left side of track.

i'd say stiffen it up more, or roll fenders.
my fronts rubbed but i had the damper too soft, did same thing, made lotsof nasty noise. next time more neg camber up front (max out camber plates=-3.5 or -4 degrees) and stiffer. should be fine.

the fm901s are soft too. my bridgestones were just scuff marks, not ripping up. the FM901s would have ripped up due to the softer sidewalls.

7s w/ 0 wont be under fender. i used to have them. gotta add at least -2 degrees (w/ FM901s). at least that is how it is on front. my rears were 7" 0 offset and still stuck out about 1/4 inch or so (depending on the tire i used) and that was with -1.5 camber. it depeds on your tire. the FM901s stick out quite a bit. the azenis didnt stick out that much at all (215/45s).

240 2NR · 11-04-2002, 11:37 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ Nov. 04 2002,12:23)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">so the answer is simply that there were more hard rights than hard lefts? ... and that I should just to roll the fender? ... oh. Well that was easier than I expected! <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>
I just thought there might be something more to it.

re: the rims - I got a really good deal on them! ... well, at least until I found out that they wouldn't clear my front calipers. <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> I actually get the feeling that my wheels are a good deal wider than 'most' 7" rims, or at least has a significantly larger lip. I've seen 7" rims with a +0 offset tuck themselves cleanly under stock S13 fenders, so I don't know why mine won't!</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
+5mm offest and they don't clear your brakes?  Those must have some crazy dish.

Also the fact that you only have 7/8" clearance could be a contributing factor.  How stiff are your spring rates?

Dousan_PG · 11-04-2002, 11:52 AM

hmm yeah yeah good point 240 2NR
adey, do you have z calipers? i forget..if you do, yeah they wont clear. but my 0 offset wheels cleared my fronts a-ok. hmmm. i'll have to check out your wheels next time..maybe they are 15x6.5<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

adey · 11-04-2002, 02:00 PM

240 2NR:  the +5 offset rims are pretty dished, although they don't look that crazy since it's a stepped dish (like SSR Formula Mesh), not a flat lip/dish (like SSR Reverse mesh). The spokes practically stick out directly from where the bolt holes are... it's hard to explain, but in short, they don't clear stock fronts. (one side did with probably 0.001mm room, the other side didn't).

My spring rates are 8/6 f/r  and settings out back were about 13 clicks out of 16, 16 being the hardest.

Aaron: How could you forget the hard left before the straight?   <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>  I tracked waaay out there on my second lap of the day.  My rims are definitely 15x7, they still have the original volk racing sticker on them, and I think it's stamped in the back of the spokes (by the "hub"), too.
I don't have Z calipers, although I do have JDM larger rotors and some mysterious pads (they had about 90% left&#33<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> that came with the bigger JDM calipers. I'll be resurfacing the rotor and putting my Porterfield R4S pads on some time in the future.

Thanks for the help guys, I never knew the FM-901s had such a soft sidewall-- the 205/55s up front on stock steelies look pretty rigid, while they're stretched out on the rears (7" rim).

Dousan_PG · 11-04-2002, 02:20 PM

ah that would be why i think. the USDM calipers clear 0 offsets a-ok. yours must be larger.

let me know how those porterfields work..i got KVR and love them..so im hesitant to change. 2 track events lots of hard braking, never faded. i am getting new ones next week, dont want to run another event with them, pretty worn.

i didnt know you went offtrack! i went off once suprisingly. that last hairpin when you rode w/ me was the best 'drift' all day. next time i'm going more balls and starting the drift earlier. got a lot more confidence after saturday. looking forward to the next event!

mbmbmb23 · 11-04-2002, 07:37 PM

Seems to me like the g-forces pushing against your car on a righthand turn would produce some sidewall flex on your tires...and the top of the driverside tires in a righthand turn are further toward the fender than the bottom half of the tires.  Also..if you have negative camber in the rears to allow the wheels to clear the fenders, the enertia during a hard righthand turn would probably straighten the camber to a more (+) positive stance, thus producing the rub this way.

thats just my 2 cents,

-M

11-04-2002, 10:29 AM	#2
LanceS13 AutoX Junkie Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: MS Age: 39 Posts: 2,044 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	sounds like you've already answered your own question and found the solution. why the crazy offset? __________________ 1992 240SX Fastback #47 DSP MS SCCA RX-7 ITS Project FOR SALE

11-04-2002, 11:29 AM	#4
Dousan_PG Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange County, California Age: 42 Posts: 16,640 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: Dousan_PG Feedback Score: 23 reviews	yeah that track is hard rights, one hard left after the hard right on the uphill before it levels out on the left side of track. i'd say stiffen it up more, or roll fenders. my fronts rubbed but i had the damper too soft, did same thing, made lotsof nasty noise. next time more neg camber up front (max out camber plates=-3.5 or -4 degrees) and stiffer. should be fine. the fm901s are soft too. my bridgestones were just scuff marks, not ripping up. the FM901s would have ripped up due to the softer sidewalls. 7s w/ 0 wont be under fender. i used to have them. gotta add at least -2 degrees (w/ FM901s). at least that is how it is on front. my rears were 7" 0 offset and still stuck out about 1/4 inch or so (depending on the tire i used) and that was with -1.5 camber. it depeds on your tire. the FM901s stick out quite a bit. the azenis didnt stick out that much at all (215/45s). __________________ Aaron Pink GodziRa www.geocities.com/pink_godzira

11-04-2002, 11:37 AM	#5
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ Nov. 04 2002,12:23)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">so the answer is simply that there were more hard rights than hard lefts? ... and that I should just to roll the fender? ... oh. Well that was easier than I expected! <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> I just thought there might be something more to it. re: the rims - I got a really good deal on them! ... well, at least until I found out that they wouldn't clear my front calipers. <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> I actually get the feeling that my wheels are a good deal wider than 'most' 7" rims, or at least has a significantly larger lip. I've seen 7" rims with a +0 offset tuck themselves cleanly under stock S13 fenders, so I don't know why mine won't!</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> +5mm offest and they don't clear your brakes?  Those must have some crazy dish. Also the fact that you only have 7/8" clearance could be a contributing factor.  How stiff are your spring rates? __________________ Steve 93 240sx FB currently very clean and for sale

11-04-2002, 11:52 AM	#6
Dousan_PG Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange County, California Age: 42 Posts: 16,640 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: Dousan_PG Feedback Score: 23 reviews	hmm yeah yeah good point 240 2NR adey, do you have z calipers? i forget..if you do, yeah they wont clear. but my 0 offset wheels cleared my fronts a-ok. hmmm. i'll have to check out your wheels next time..maybe they are 15x6.5<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> __________________ Aaron Pink GodziRa www.geocities.com/pink_godzira

11-04-2002, 02:00 PM	#7
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	240 2NR:  the +5 offset rims are pretty dished, although they don't look that crazy since it's a stepped dish (like SSR Formula Mesh), not a flat lip/dish (like SSR Reverse mesh). The spokes practically stick out directly from where the bolt holes are... it's hard to explain, but in short, they don't clear stock fronts. (one side did with probably 0.001mm room, the other side didn't). My spring rates are 8/6 f/r  and settings out back were about 13 clicks out of 16, 16 being the hardest. Aaron: How could you forget the hard left before the straight?   <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  I tracked waaay out there on my second lap of the day.  My rims are definitely 15x7, they still have the original volk racing sticker on them, and I think it's stamped in the back of the spokes (by the "hub"), too. I don't have Z calipers, although I do have JDM larger rotors and some mysterious pads (they had about 90% left&#33<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> that came with the bigger JDM calipers. I'll be resurfacing the rotor and putting my Porterfield R4S pads on some time in the future. Thanks for the help guys, I never knew the FM-901s had such a soft sidewall-- the 205/55s up front on stock steelies look pretty rigid, while they're stretched out on the rears (7" rim).

11-04-2002, 01:37 AM	#1
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I was looking over my car briefly tonight after yesterdays Speedtrial track event... and noticed a few slash/cut marks around the sidewall/outside tread of my rear left tire. The cuts/slashes aren't too bad, only about 1mm deep (or so it feels/looks) and has cut small marks in the "dunlop" logo, as well as further "out," on the tire's far-outer tread. However, going around to my right rear tire, there were no marks whatsoever- it was clean and showed no signs of fender-rubbing. Why is this? I'm kind of stumped as to why it's only my rear left. The rear shock settings were at 12 and 13 out of 16 clicks, 16 being the hardest. There is a roughly 7/8" clearance between the tire and fender, and my wheel/tire sticks out about 3/8" from the car. It's a 205/55/15 tire on a 15x7 +5mm rim. So what would cause rubbing only on my left wheel? Could it be the fact that we were going clockwise on the track? (there being more right turns than left hence loading the left tires more.) I can't imagine a <1mm cut in the top layer of rubber to be too serious, but is there any real danger driving on this? (the cuts were only apparent after the race, and don't rub in daily driving) any suggestions? edit: that is, suggestions other than rolling my fender, which I will do asap.

11-04-2002, 11:23 AM	#3
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	so the answer is simply that there were more hard rights than hard lefts? ... and that I should just to roll the fender? ... oh.  Well that was easier than I expected! <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> I just thought there might be something more to it. re: the rims - I got a really good deal on them! ... well, at least until I found out that they wouldn't clear my front calipers. <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  I actually get the feeling that my wheels are a good deal wider than 'most' 7" rims, or at least has a significantly larger lip. I've seen 7" rims with a +0 offset tuck themselves cleanly under stock S13 fenders, so I don't know why mine won't!

11-04-2002, 02:20 PM	#8
Dousan_PG Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange County, California Age: 42 Posts: 16,640 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: Dousan_PG Feedback Score: 23 reviews	ah that would be why i think. the USDM calipers clear 0 offsets a-ok. yours must be larger. let me know how those porterfields work..i got KVR and love them..so im hesitant to change. 2 track events lots of hard braking, never faded. i am getting new ones next week, dont want to run another event with them, pretty worn. i didnt know you went offtrack! i went off once suprisingly. that last hairpin when you rode w/ me was the best 'drift' all day. next time i'm going more balls and starting the drift earlier. got a lot more confidence after saturday. looking forward to the next event! __________________ Aaron Pink GodziRa www.geocities.com/pink_godzira

11-04-2002, 07:37 PM	#9
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Seems to me like the g-forces pushing against your car on a righthand turn would produce some sidewall flex on your tires...and the top of the driverside tires in a righthand turn are further toward the fender than the bottom half of the tires.  Also..if you have negative camber in the rears to allow the wheels to clear the fenders, the enertia during a hard righthand turn would probably straighten the camber to a more (+) positive stance, thus producing the rub this way. thats just my 2 cents, -M __________________ 400x200

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