Wheel spacers

[dmt82]

I bought my MP3 off a guy who had put on wheel spacers. Although the car handled great and look really good, I found that if I went over large bumps in the road the tires would rub the wheel fender. When I did my brakes I had the mechanic take the spacers off. They are a set of H&R 15mm spacers.
The car doesn't handle the same (i'm not autocrossing) but the wheel rub is no longer there.
The new problem is, when I turn sharp in a parking lot at low speed I feel the tire rubbing on the inside of the car.
My question is this: did the MP3 come with spacers added to the car? Or is my car now stock, but now I need to get the stearing ration adjusted.
Is a tie rod wearing?
Any help and insight would be appreciated.

 

[KrayzieFox]

The MP3 did not come with any spacers. The OEM wheels are 17x7 +55 offset RacingHarts, and what the previous owner did was probably get a super cheap set of wheels that don't fit that car whatsoever. What size tire is on the wheels? I bet you have a 8" wide wheel with a really goofy offset so it rubs no matter what you do.

You should not need the steering ratio, tie rods, or anything of the sort replaced or adjusted. You just need to get wheels that FIT, and not just LOOK good..

 

[dmt82]

Thanks for the reply.
My wheels are the stock RacingHart set. I have Hankook Ventus 205/45 R17 tires.
The car also had the Racing Beat springs replaced with an Eibach lowering spring kit. When I go in to get an alignment done they always tell me they can't do it properly because the car has been lowered, and is different from factory settings.
Should I be going to an alignment specialist shop?

 

[KrayzieFox]

Eibachs usually don't lower that much.. are they black or red springs?

 

[dmt82]

Red

 

[KrayzieFox]

So they're the Sportlines, they lower almost 2" (1.8" F&R if I recall correctly..) so that's quite a bit. I'd suggest going back to the stock Racing Beat springs or if you like the lowered feel and look then switch to H&R's or Tein H-Techs. The drop won't be as low but the car should still look and feel pretty good. H&R's drop 1.3" F&R and H-Techs are 1.2" F, 1.1" R drop.

Good luck man, sorry I can't offer you an easier fix.

EDIT: You do have the stock struts correct? Blue Tokicos..

 

[dmt82]

Yes the struts are the blue tokicos - I always felt the car was too low for a daily driver. Not very good in the winter.
Thanks for your help.
Much appreciated.

 

[KrayzieFox]

I can vouch for the H-Techs being really good daily driver springs. I had them on my P5 for 3 years or so and the drop was perfect, as was the ride comfort and steering feel. Not sure if the sedan springs are the same, but I would imagine they would be.

On the other hand, the entire community seems to rave about the H&R's as well.. so you can't go with either one. Or you could just play it safe and go back to stock. The wheel gap isn't so bad on the stock MP3..

 

[TheMAN]

sportlines makes the car handle terrible compared to the stock springs

 

[vicham]

why?

sportlines makes the car handle terrible compared to the stock springs

 

[KrayzieFox]

why?

They're progressive rate springs, stock ones are linear.

 

[vicham]

ic...I currently have Tein H Tech (great springs!) but want to go lowering so i bought some sportline and it's coming my way now....i guess i will hv to drive slower in corners then(shrug)
I will hv my H tech for sale soon if anyone is interested

They're progressive rate springs, stock ones are linear.

 

[supergti]

Try to get your fenders rolled. The followings are what I have installed.
KYB suspension + H&R sport springs,
buddy club 17x7 Rims with 42 offset + 14mm front spacer + 10mm rear spacer,
and 205/40/17 tires.
I had the same problem as you have rite now. After I got fenders rolled. The problem is gone.