Oops, tires too big, or are they?

So I have installed 225/50 15 Michelins on my 940 with the new BBS rims (http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=98794).
Well turns out after installing the lowering springs the tires are a little too close to the fender lip and was rubbing when I went over some pavement uneveness. This happened mostly at higher speeds when the car would compress from "whoopdies" in the road. So I did some research here on the board about fender lip rolling and when at it. Good news is that I fixed the issue and now have no clearance problems. So here is a pictorial of the process:

First, the "tool" is a section of fence post that is 2 3/4" in diameter -


Here is a picture of the clearance problem before the rolling -


Here is the removal of the inner fender liner -


Here the "tool" is positioned between the tire and the fender -


Now I had my son roll the car (it was on a slight incline) while I guided the "tool" and asserted the pressure and angle to bend the lip. I did this about 4-5 times on each side. I would start at the beginning of the wheel arch and work all the way around to the end. Here
are the results:




So now I'm happy that I'm not going to slice my new Michelins to shreds. BTW this toolk me about 30 minutes to do.

-Tim

Must be the width of those rims or something, I wouldn't expect that size tire to rub.

What's the story on the rear muffler exhaust tip? I kinda like that.

50 is too small. With 15s you should be running 60 or even 65.

Three Fat Tigers said:

Must be the width of those rims or something, I wouldn't expect that size tire to rub.

What's the story on the rear muffler exhaust tip? I kinda like that.

Click to expand...

I have some polished stainless steel "DTM" tips like that at work. PM me if you want a set. They are 1 inlet 2 outlets.

sean

Doesn't that say 16" on your tire. . .not 15 ? ?

How much lower are your new springs to stock... but damn your car looks sexy!

Scandia said:

Doesn't that say 16" on your tire. . .not 15 ? ?

Click to expand...

Natural244 said:

Snagged a set of 6 BBS 16x7.5 rims with 5x108 and rwd offset (the ad said they fit rwd Volvos). 2 of the rims look brand new, the others have some minor curb rash. I think they will look sharp with the blue/green paint of the car. FWIW I got them off eBay:

Click to expand...

Wooden bat,and heat would have saved the paint...

Watch for rust there now.

Yeah, my happy fingers again... the tires are 225/50 16s and not 15s.

wisturbo said:

How much lower are your new springs to stock... but damn your car looks sexy!

Click to expand...

I'd say at least 1.5 inches. I expect them to settle more after some time. They probably also aren't being help with the worn shocks which need to be replaced.

superboosted said:

Wooden bat,and heat would have saved the paint...

Watch for rust there now.

Click to expand...

The paint isn't too bad, didn't really crack like I expected. I'll touch up the areas where I think it could be a problem.

Three Fat Tigers said:

Must be the width of those rims or something, I wouldn't expect that size tire to rub.

What's the story on the rear muffler exhaust tip? I kinda like that.

Click to expand...

Like I said the tires are actually 225/50 16s and the rim width is 7.5. The exhaust is a Magnaflow DTM. As you can see in the picture it is not welded on but "adapted" with u bolts. I like the exhaust alot, it sounds nice.

was it both sides?

do you need a panhard rod adj?

740Weapon said:

was it both sides?

do you need a panhard rod adj?

Click to expand...

Not both sides, just the drivers side was an issue, but I did both just in case. On the passenger side I did not see any evidence of rubbing. Yes, an adjustable panhard probably would have fixed it.

why is that rubbing? I have 235 40 17, what is the offset of thoes wheels?

I think they are ET18 if I remember correctly.

spray it both sides. under coat in inside of the lip and get some pain in the outside.

2fast242gt said:

spray it both sides. under coat in inside of the lip and get some pain in the outside.

Click to expand...

+1 catch it before it starts.

I am running 225s with TME springs and added 10mm spacers in the rear and I do not have rubbing issues at all. I put them on Hydras so I am not sure if the offset is different. An adjustable pan hard will solve your problem of the rear being further to the drivers side.

homer1300 said:

50 is too small. With 15s you should be running 60 or even 65.

Click to expand...

stop talking please