Front fender tire clearance
06-21-2003, 05:35 PM
#1
AutoX
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Springfield, IL
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Front fender tire clearance
I have a small problem that is turning into a big one and I need some advice:
I have a 1981 928. The space between the tops of the front tires and the fender is about 1.5 inches. This seems normal, but I am starting to notice a problem. When I go over a big bump or take a sharp corner, the right front fender rubs on the top of the tire. I did not know what the noise was at first until I noticed that the fender is starting to crack at the point where it is rubbing!!! This does not happen on the drivers side, and it has not always happened in the past.
My question is, where do I begin to diagnose this problem. The suspension seems normal, not too soft, but I do not have another 928 to compare it to. I do not want to damage the fender any further, but this is a daily driver to work. Is this space between the tire any fender too small? Maybe the previous owner did some "custom" suspension work.
Any help or ideas would really be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Mike
likars@gcctv.com
I have a 1981 928. The space between the tops of the front tires and the fender is about 1.5 inches. This seems normal, but I am starting to notice a problem. When I go over a big bump or take a sharp corner, the right front fender rubs on the top of the tire. I did not know what the noise was at first until I noticed that the fender is starting to crack at the point where it is rubbing!!! This does not happen on the drivers side, and it has not always happened in the past.
My question is, where do I begin to diagnose this problem. The suspension seems normal, not too soft, but I do not have another 928 to compare it to. I do not want to damage the fender any further, but this is a daily driver to work. Is this space between the tire any fender too small? Maybe the previous owner did some "custom" suspension work.
Any help or ideas would really be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Mike
likars@gcctv.com
06-21-2003, 05:44 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Southern New England
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blue,
Search for a thread on "ride height". Your car sounds way too low. I measure something more like five inches between the top of the tire and the inner shroud.
But you did say fender...
Search for a thread on "ride height". Your car sounds way too low. I measure something more like five inches between the top of the tire and the inner shroud.
But you did say fender...
06-21-2003, 06:20 PM
#3
We had a choice?
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
What are you running for rims and tires?
Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic
Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic
06-21-2003, 06:36 PM
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Blue 944,
If your fender is "cracking" then you might have body work (filer) in that location. The aluminum fender should not crack unless there is a lot of corrosion, which is uncommon and easily noticed.
The problem may not be ride height etc, but a bad fender (full of filler).
Before you consider changing ride height/wheels/tires bring the car to a "good" body shop and have them size up the fender.
Mike
If your fender is "cracking" then you might have body work (filer) in that location. The aluminum fender should not crack unless there is a lot of corrosion, which is uncommon and easily noticed.
The problem may not be ride height etc, but a bad fender (full of filler).
Before you consider changing ride height/wheels/tires bring the car to a "good" body shop and have them size up the fender.
Mike
06-21-2003, 07:23 PM
#5
Blue944. I also have a 1981 (auto). I'll tell you what I'm at now.......and how I got there.
Im running 225/50-16 (f) and 245/45-16 (r). With the new bilstien/eibach's my measured height to from floor to fender is 26 1/4 (f) and 23 7/8 (r), which makes the car have a super slight nose down. (you'd have to measure with a level). Handling is outstanding...........car "attitude" looks proper.
....how did I get there..........
....Original Boge's, when I'd go over any bump, quick stop...etc, the car would dive nose down, RUB THE FENDER(s). Overall the car sat way to low in the front, but, the Boges were non-adjustable in the front and I didn't want to put in any spacers...etc.
....what I found during the replacment (other than the front springs were no-doubt bad). The rear shocks were totally shot, meaning, weight xfer from rear to front was huge. The front shocks were not great either. (but the rears were the BIG ZERO).
..currently my "tire top" front to fender is 2 1/4".
Question. How current is your suspension. (or at least the shocks?)
Bob
Im running 225/50-16 (f) and 245/45-16 (r). With the new bilstien/eibach's my measured height to from floor to fender is 26 1/4 (f) and 23 7/8 (r), which makes the car have a super slight nose down. (you'd have to measure with a level). Handling is outstanding...........car "attitude" looks proper.
....how did I get there..........
....Original Boge's, when I'd go over any bump, quick stop...etc, the car would dive nose down, RUB THE FENDER(s). Overall the car sat way to low in the front, but, the Boges were non-adjustable in the front and I didn't want to put in any spacers...etc.
....what I found during the replacment (other than the front springs were no-doubt bad). The rear shocks were totally shot, meaning, weight xfer from rear to front was huge. The front shocks were not great either. (but the rears were the BIG ZERO).
..currently my "tire top" front to fender is 2 1/4".
Question. How current is your suspension. (or at least the shocks?)
Bob
06-21-2003, 08:00 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Think I'd have to concur with both sentiments. It's tired hardware and hence, low ride height. Fresh stock suspension, set to the correct height, will have 4" of clearance between a stock wheel/tire and the fender. It looks goofy there's so much room. Old shocks, tired springs, ball joints, tie rods... they're all adding to the problem.
Fresh set of Boges: 340
Ride height adj hardware (if necessary): 100
Fresh set of Bilsteins: 800
Fresh set of Eibach springs: 300ish
Bilstein/Eibach combo: 995ish
Having a good handling beast on corner entry and exit: priceless.
If you like the handling now, wait til you've got fresh stuff and good ride height. Wow is the word.
Fresh set of Boges: 340
Ride height adj hardware (if necessary): 100
Fresh set of Bilsteins: 800
Fresh set of Eibach springs: 300ish
Bilstein/Eibach combo: 995ish
Having a good handling beast on corner entry and exit: priceless.
If you like the handling now, wait til you've got fresh stuff and good ride height. Wow is the word.
06-21-2003, 08:27 PM
#7
Mike. I 100% agree with that. I would have to say in all my "gearhead" years....If you gave me 1K cash to put on one item, it would be the Eibach/Bilstein's again.........no questions asked. And like you said, if you think it handles ok now.........JUST WAIT!!!
......almost looks like an optical illusion with the air above the front tires, until you take a look at how level the car is.
......almost looks like an optical illusion with the air above the front tires, until you take a look at how level the car is.
Trending Topics
06-21-2003, 09:17 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by kaamacat:
<strong><snip> If you gave me 1K cash to put on one item, it would be the Eibach/Bilstein's again.........no questions asked. And like you said, if you think it handles ok now.........JUST WAIT!!! <snip></strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Honestly, I'm running fresh, stock Boges, original springs and ride height adjustment added to the 78. $400 and my time. Times 2. It's a great compromise for pleasant highway GT'ing at 90 and the local fast twisties at that plus. I'm doing 90% of the former these days, unfortunately. The stock stuff is pretty damn good for the real world we live in. I _am_, however, still smarting from the grand for the (2) Ohlins rear shocks on the bike. Time will tell if it sorts the **** of that beast out.
<strong><snip> If you gave me 1K cash to put on one item, it would be the Eibach/Bilstein's again.........no questions asked. And like you said, if you think it handles ok now.........JUST WAIT!!! <snip></strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Honestly, I'm running fresh, stock Boges, original springs and ride height adjustment added to the 78. $400 and my time. Times 2. It's a great compromise for pleasant highway GT'ing at 90 and the local fast twisties at that plus. I'm doing 90% of the former these days, unfortunately. The stock stuff is pretty damn good for the real world we live in. I _am_, however, still smarting from the grand for the (2) Ohlins rear shocks on the bike. Time will tell if it sorts the **** of that beast out.
06-22-2003, 09:55 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
As mentioned by several others, it sounds like your car is riding too low. Ride height measurements should be taken from the reference points on the suspension (detailed in the Service Manual) and not from the fender (which varies among 928s).
My guess is your 22 year old springs have sagged beyond adjustment, and it's time for new ones. YMMV.
My guess is your 22 year old springs have sagged beyond adjustment, and it's time for new ones. YMMV.
06-22-2003, 08:21 PM
#10
Pro
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No way should your tires be hitting the fender! I don't even think you have that much suspension travel. The tires can't be that oversize because you couldn't make turns without rubbing.
It must be the fender liner which you would come in contact with first. If you don't have a fender liner then there is a lot of equipment in the fender well that is being exposed to serious problems.
Patch up the liner then correct your ride height as in the preceding posts.
It must be the fender liner which you would come in contact with first. If you don't have a fender liner then there is a lot of equipment in the fender well that is being exposed to serious problems.
Patch up the liner then correct your ride height as in the preceding posts.
06-22-2003, 10:54 PM
#11
Pro
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With the 81, the ride height can be adjusted by placing up to two 10mm spacers underneath the springs. This requires disassembling the shocks and a couple of harbor freight spring compressors cranked to the max. If you are going to take the trouble of getting the shocks out (see previous Rennlist posts for the tricks), you might as well replace them with adjustables and springs if needed.
While I was replacing the Aluminum ball joints, I swapped my shocks on the 1980 with a set of adjustables from an 1983 which picked the car up about (a much needed) 20mm. I can probably get another 30mm with the adjustment if I need to.
The best way to measure the height is under the suspension members. Here is a good site that covers the height measurement and adjustment.
<a href="http://www.928.org.uk/height.html" target="_blank">http://www.928.org.uk/height.html</a>
While I was replacing the Aluminum ball joints, I swapped my shocks on the 1980 with a set of adjustables from an 1983 which picked the car up about (a much needed) 20mm. I can probably get another 30mm with the adjustment if I need to.
The best way to measure the height is under the suspension members. Here is a good site that covers the height measurement and adjustment.
<a href="http://www.928.org.uk/height.html" target="_blank">http://www.928.org.uk/height.html</a>
06-23-2003, 04:52 AM
#12
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Ft. Lauderdale FLORIDA
Posts: 5,248
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
Heh heh heh...I have kind of a stupid question
[stupid in that I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but want to make sure since I cannot find it anywhere in the manuals...]
In order to raise the front ride height...you grasp the adjuster with the specified tool, and move the spring seat to the right? That is..you turn it so that the seat moves up on the shock, away from the ground....yes?
N?
'85 S2 5 Speed
[stupid in that I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but want to make sure since I cannot find it anywhere in the manuals...]
In order to raise the front ride height...you grasp the adjuster with the specified tool, and move the spring seat to the right? That is..you turn it so that the seat moves up on the shock, away from the ground....yes?
N?
'85 S2 5 Speed
06-23-2003, 09:15 AM
#14
Pro
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Marc: Thanks for the link to the UK site. Finally someone clearly explains HOW to adjust the height!
Now about the special tool. Is it just a regular very large adjustable spanner (C-wrench) or a specific tool with a tooth to engage the notch?
I am an inch high on the front driver side. Could the PO have tried to corner weight the car? Not that I know much about corner weight as compared to paper weighting.
Now about the special tool. Is it just a regular very large adjustable spanner (C-wrench) or a specific tool with a tooth to engage the notch?
I am an inch high on the front driver side. Could the PO have tried to corner weight the car? Not that I know much about corner weight as compared to paper weighting.
06-23-2003, 09:45 AM
#15
The tool lots of folks use is from Motion-Pro, and is a double sided shock spanner wrench. (Cost is about $18). Its for a Honda ATV. If you goto <a href="http://www.motionpro.com........." target="_blank">www.motionpro.com.........</a> look for the MX & ATC Shock Tool. The # is 08-0029. Most cycle shops should be able to get it quick for you.