Tires rubbing fenderwell

[paulmcconnon]

2 guys in the car total weight around 460lbs.
We went on a bit of a fast run around town, including some bumps.(not speed bumps).
The rear wheel outer edges rubbed on the fenders a bit.
Is something out of whack or should I just go a little easier with a heavy load
?
Paul

[CobraEd]

I just got done shimming the rubber bump stops on the frame to prevent this from happening on my car. I get the full range of motion but just as the tires are about to hit the lip of the fender, the bump stop makes contact and prevents it.


.

[uncltodd]

Okie fix- put her in the air a bit, lift the rear end, look where the tires are be ing a bit abrasive, then carefully grind off the fender where they hit, maybe 1/16 of an inch.

Dude, it's Fibreglas! It ain't gonna rust, and I ain't gonna snitch on you!

I suggest a lighter-weight passenger, I am fond of young females.

UT

[Rick Parker]

Maybe a little heavier spring if you are carrying weight such as that described, or increase the shock dampening a step(??).

[Trueoo7]

Adjust the spanner nut on the coil springs, thats what its there for.

[Rwillia4]

Check to make sure you have the correct rear ride height, you should be able to get two fingers between the tire and fender without weight in the car (if you can't adjust the spanner nut down to raise the back of the car up). If you can fit two fingers, and you routinely plan on having that lb load change the rear springs to the race springs, they can take more weight with less deflection. Your ride will be stiffer when you are going solo but it is not bad.

[SS COBRA]

We had the same tire rubbing on our BDR, did the two finger adjustment just the way Rwillia4 said, 2 finger space, car on the ground with no one in it. No rubbing since

[paulmcconnon]

How do I adjust the spanner nut on the coil springs ?
I am not much of a mechanic but if you can break it down a little for me I am sure I can do it.
Paul

[Rwillia4]

To do the back ride height, jack the back of the car and put on jack stands.
Take off the back tires, then undo the shock lower bolt, this will take the load off the spring. Note that you have to have a jack available to get the shock bolt back in when you have done the adjusment.
You could buy a special tool to do the spanner OR use an adjustable pliers (channel locks) rotate the spanner nut DOWN.
I was just shy of 2 fingers (1.5 fingers) I rotated the spanner 10 times using the 1/4 rotation space available (not ten full rotations).
I would guess the return for adjustment is just over twice the rise at the wheel from your adjustment, so if you put 1/4" change at the spanner the ride height will be at LEAST 1/2".
Once you get everything back on you should take the car around the block to let the suspension settle.
It took me a few times to get it where I liked it.

Good Luck,
Rob

[Trueoo7]

The spanner nut (better description would be ring) is located at the top of the rear coil spring. You cannot see all of them, but there is four notches in this ring at 90deg increments. There is a special tool that is used to turn the ring, it looks like a half moon with a protrusion at the end to fit in the notches. If you do it as stated above and no weight or pressure on the spring you could almost turn the ring by hand if its not rusted. I'm not sure how you size the tool to the ring though but they are cheap and if one doesn't work get another one. Hope this helps

[Dwight]

I copied these pics from Summit

The wrench cost $20. I modified mine by cutting and welding to change the angle. I could not use the straight handle to adjust my coil-overs.
Hope these pics help.

Dwight



in this pic the nut is on the bottom

[paulmcconnon]

From sadness to gladness in around 40 minutes.
I love this website and thanks to all that posted especially these guys--
Rwillia4,Trueoo7,Dwight
Paul

[paulmcconnon]

Update--
Driver side turned it 20 1/4 turns two fingers all good.
Passenger side turned it 20 1/4 turns -- went for a little drive, still rubbing on the fender.
Re- did the passenger side 20 1/4 turns to get it back where it started and 20 more to hopefully raise it up. It's only about a half a finger above the tire. !@#$%^&*().
Paul

[paulmcconnon]

55 1/4 turns in the right direction and now I am totally cool. By the way without the availability of a spanner wrench I used a hammer and flat head screwdriver.
So to summarize
20 1/4 turns on the driver side and
35 1/4 turns on the passenger side.
Both sides are at 2 fingers now.
Paul

[Trueoo7]

Someone used a hammer and screwdriver on mine and messed up the notches so bad I coudn't use a spanner wrench, not always a good idea.

[Cashburn]

Ahh... the wonders of vice grips