305/35-18 up front question

[Mad Hatter]

Hi, off to the track this weekend and first time out with my 305/35-18 NT555 extremes up front as well. The strut bolts are cut back and I can slip my finger in between the tire and the Bolt. Seems to me that is enough space, though I do have a 1/4in spacer I could put in. Should I use the spacer?? or is that enough space??

Cheers all!

 

[Tucson 302]

Hi, off to the track this weekend and first time out with my 305/35-18 NT555 extremes up front as well. The strut bolts are cut back and I can slip my finger in between the tire and the Bolt. Seems to me that is enough space, though I do have a 1/4in spacer I could put in. Should I use the spacer?? or is that enough space??

Cheers all!

Stock suspension? If yes I would go with the spacer

 

[2012-Boss]

That is plenty of space between the bolt and tire. Remember, the top of the tire does not flex inward.

Make sure you check your brake duct routing to make sure you do not have excessive rubbing.

 

[Grant 302]

That is plenty of space between the bolt and tire. Remember, the top of the tire does not flex inward.

I disagree. I could fit the last knuckle on my index finger on two sets of tires and have made light contact on both. Probably safe...but I'd run the 1/4" spacer since you have it.

 

[2012-Boss]

I disagree. I could fit the last knuckle on my index finger on two sets of tires and have made light contact on both. Probably safe...but I'd run the 1/4" spacer since you have it.

That's fine if you disagree, but your contact is somewhere else.

 

[2012-Boss]

That's fine if you disagree, but your contact is somewhere else. The spacer is not a bad idea, but it is not needed for strut bolt clearance.

 

[Mad Hatter]

In the end went with the spacer since I saw that my finger fit between the bolt and the tire....but not the tire and the shock! With the 1/4 in spacer fits fine with no rubbing after a day at the track. Thanks for the help everyone

 

[Grant 302]

That's fine if you disagree, but your contact is somewhere else.

Just disagreeing with this:

Remember, the top of the tire does not flex inward.

It's just not true. Depends on the camber and sidewall.

And you can believe my contact was somewhere else... but it's the only thing close by and my brake ducts show no sign of contact.

Here's an example with Super Sports and you can see both the tops of the front and rear are flexed inboard.

 

[Flyboygsxr]

http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?cPath=141_142_268&products_id=624

Anybody running these yet with a 305 up front? You could run 315's out back with an 11" rim or go 305 square but with the different offsets you still wouldn't be able to rotate.

Adam

 

[06mach1]

http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?cPath=141_142_268&products_id=624

Anybody running these yet with a 305 up front? You could run 315's out back with an 11" rim or go 305 square but with the different offsets you still wouldn't be able to rotate.

Adam

I have been running the CF5 version with 305's all the way around. I have ran 305/35 NT01's and am currently running 305/660 P-Zero slicks. No spacers required. And no rubbing. I think I could run 315s all around.

 

[2012-Boss]

Just disagreeing with this:

It's just not true. Depends on the camber and sidewall.

And you can believe my contact was somewhere else... but it's the only thing close by and my brake ducts show no sign of contact.

Here's an example with Super Sports and you can see both the tops of the front and rear are flexed inboard.

Ok, I realize I should have made a references for my earlier posts. Jack Hidley at Maximum Motorsports looks for .10" of tire to strut clearance.

See:

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114829&highlight=Strut+clearance&page=2

 

[blacksheep-1]

Ok, I realize I should have made a references for my earlier posts. Jack Hidley at Maximum Motorsports looks for .10" of tire to strut clearance.

See:

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114829&highlight=Strut+clearance&page=2

That doesn't seem like near enough to me out tires flex so much that the "continental" logo on the side is being scrubbed.

 

[modernbeat]

We look for 4mm of wheel to strut clearance. I'm willing to let the corner of the tread get a little closer to the perch, or the rim protector strip get a little closer to the strut body, but not the sidewall. Fortunately, the sidewall is rarely the closest part of the tire.

 

[2012-Boss]

Modernbeat, thanks, I was looking for your previous post with your recommendation.

 

[Grant 302]

Somehow, I think what's being said here is getting mis-interpereted.

With 18" rims and the stock sway bar bolt, I have evidence of about 1/2" inboard/lateral travel of the center of the sidewall face.

 

[2012-Boss]

The bottom of the tire will definitely flex inboard that much. If you believe you are seeing that much flex at the strut / sway bar bolt link area, there may be something wrong. Can you post a picture of some sort?

 

[Grant 302]

If you believe you are seeing that much flex at the strut / sway bar bolt link area, there may be something wrong.

Something wrong? Knowing how to drive?

While I am not 100% certain it *is* contact with the bolt...well, you tell me what you think...

These are from last year when I first installed the R-s3s on SVE drifts:

Can you post a picture of some sort?

Took these yesterday for you:

The bottom of the tire will definitely flex inboard that much.

Well, if you want something *new* to discuss or argue about, I think it's more like up to 1" or maybe more travel at the bottom...

 

[2012-Boss]

That is a lot of clearance to the bolt, but something is definitely rubbing somewhere. Have you checked for any play in the wheel bearings or ball joint?

I am have wider tires (305) and less back space than the drifts (45 vs 43 mm). I will crawl under my car and see if I can spot anything else that might get into the sidewall.

 

[2012-Boss]

Ok, I have a similar wear pattern on the inside of my driver's side tire. But, when I turn the wheel all the way over for a right turn, the wear pattern contacts my brake duct. I am not saying this is your issue, but I would double check it along with looking for any play in the wheel assembly.

Also, for piece of mind and to eliminate the bolt as the possible issue, you can stack a couple of washers where the link mounts to the strut to gain more clearance.

I am re-routing my ducts with longer hoses this winter so that I get more clearance.

 

[Flyboygsxr]

It is obvious that the tire is contacting the strut body. The strut is closer to the tire than the sway bar bolt.