Tire touched fender

Dusted RX · 09-02-2010, 10:23 AM

I've been running Eibach SP/Illumina's for several years. My 99 spec chin spoiler hits the ground on the outside trailing edge, both sides, during hard sharp turns. This spring I put on 17 x 8 +35 wheels on the front. Yesterday I hit a smooth deep bump with a bit of wheel turn and pulled the fender out a little bit, taking a very thin, narrow chunk of tire off. I am 25.0 in. from the ground to the top of the fender wheel well. I probably need an other half inch of clearance to prevent this from happening again.

Should I:
- get new springs that don't lower the front end as much? Any recommendations on specific springs that are similar or even slightly higher spring rate?
- can a spacer be added to the spring seat to raise the car slightly?
- Buy some Tein Flex coilovers?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mark

josh18_2k · 09-02-2010, 03:45 PM

fold the lip of the fenders up. you can do it by hand probably, or use a small hammer and cloth or piece of wood or whatever.

RotorDad · 09-05-2010, 10:01 PM

You need to roll the fenders. I have never used coil spring boosters, but they may work. Energy Suspension & Mr Gasket offer them off the top of my head.

Dusted RX · 11-02-2010, 12:00 PM

I've had my Tein Flex coilovers installed for about a month now and I love them. The medium setting (8) on the fronts are about the same stiffness as the Illumina's at their hardest. I had to go down to setting 5 for the back to get an acceptable ride. On full stiff (16) the car feels like it is a train (steel on steel). The stance is much nicer, with 26" all around instead of 25" in the front and 27" on the back. I no longer touch the ground with my chin spoiler going around corners aggressively. The car also looks much better with the neutral stance than having the ass end up in the air.

rxspeed7 · 11-03-2010, 10:08 PM

You can try stiffening the front dampening, but more than likely you are going to have to have your fenders rolled. Any high dollar custom shop can roll fenders as with any Porsche/bmw/audi dealership should be able to do it for you. Usually runs about 50-75 a fender.

Zack.

09-02-2010, 10:23 AM	#1
Dusted RX The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Tire touched fender I've been running Eibach SP/Illumina's for several years. My 99 spec chin spoiler hits the ground on the outside trailing edge, both sides, during hard sharp turns. This spring I put on 17 x 8 +35 wheels on the front. Yesterday I hit a smooth deep bump with a bit of wheel turn and pulled the fender out a little bit, taking a very thin, narrow chunk of tire off. I am 25.0 in. from the ground to the top of the fender wheel well. I probably need an other half inch of clearance to prevent this from happening again. Should I: - get new springs that don't lower the front end as much? Any recommendations on specific springs that are similar or even slightly higher spring rate? - can a spacer be added to the spring seat to raise the car slightly? - Buy some Tein Flex coilovers? Thanks for your thoughts. Mark

09-02-2010, 03:45 PM	#2
josh18_2k Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gresham, OR Posts: 473 Rep Power: 18	fold the lip of the fenders up. you can do it by hand probably, or use a small hammer and cloth or piece of wood or whatever. __________________

09-05-2010, 10:01 PM	#3
RotorDad Big Ugly Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 591 Rep Power: 17	You need to roll the fenders. I have never used coil spring boosters, but they may work. Energy Suspension & Mr Gasket offer them off the top of my head. __________________ *Boosted Big Body On 335's* PS3 ID: Rotordad 1986 Mazda RX7 GXL - Street ported 13BT, Haltech, 62mm, ect. 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 - Eagle, Wiseco, Cobb, ect.

11-02-2010, 12:00 PM	#4
Dusted RX The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	I've had my Tein Flex coilovers installed for about a month now and I love them. The medium setting (8) on the fronts are about the same stiffness as the Illumina's at their hardest. I had to go down to setting 5 for the back to get an acceptable ride. On full stiff (16) the car feels like it is a train (steel on steel). The stance is much nicer, with 26" all around instead of 25" in the front and 27" on the back. I no longer touch the ground with my chin spoiler going around corners aggressively. The car also looks much better with the neutral stance than having the ass end up in the air.