Tires hitting the A-arm

[COramprat]

I've got an issue with tire rub on the A-arm...both sides. Tires are stock 245/45/17's on 17x8 Mach One take offs. It has been dropped 1.5 inches with Steeda Sport springs. I don't think the drop is all of the issue but maybe something worn out? Any suggestions?

 

[Spro]

I would get the alignment checked out first.

 

[98COBRA281]

wow!! my car is dropped about 2in and i have 17x9s with 245s,there not even close to rubbing

 

[SRT Handz]

03/04 Cobra A-Arms (FRPP) will fix the issue. It gives 10% more turning radius on a 94-98 mustang

 

[EPIK]

03/04 Cobra A-Arms (FRPP) will fix the issue. It gives 10% more turning radius on a 94-98 mustang

The Machs have the same Cobra A arms. I am gonna swap mine on to my 95 when I install my new MM K member package on the Mach & they also have the Steeda X@ balljoints in them already.

As far as your question goes, that sounds really odd, because my tires never rubbed until I went to 18x9's w/ 265's up front. has to be the alignment or something???

 

[COramprat]

Just had it aligned. I have MM caster/camber plates too. They rub in a hard right or left turn...forgot to mention that is when I have trouble. It is wearing the hell out of the inner edge of the tires.

 

[mixedbreed02gt]

i had that same problem on my current car (02 GT) when I had my stock tires and wheels last spring.

17x8's with 245/45/17's but I only heard it when I made a really hard turn, or when I would pull into a parking lot, and back up and crank the wheel hard.

It drove me nuts trying to figure out what the noise was.

 

[SRT Handz]

You shouldnt be turning the wheel that far on any car.... its bad for the steering rack

 

[COramprat]

You shouldnt be turning the wheel that far on any car.... its bad for the steering rack

Thanks for the input and I know that but this isn't from turning that hard. It STILL shouldn't hit even if I run in tight circles all day long.

 

[COramprat]

Pic of left side. The right is not as bad.

View attachment 321457

 

[COramprat]

Anyone else with a lowered car having this issue?

 

[Jinx]

I'm not having the issue with mine, but I was thinking maybe the takeoff wheels have something to do with it? Maybe the wheel center is further out from the center line of the car than the stock wheel? Think a spacer might help?

 

[COramprat]

I'm not having the issue with mine, but I was thinking maybe the takeoff wheels have something to do with it? Maybe the wheel center is further out from the center line of the car than the stock wheel? Think a spacer might help?

It probably would. I never looked at the stock split spokes to see if the offset was different. Maybe it is between the 94-98's and 99-04's. They didn't give me any trouble until I lowered it though.

 

[Jinx]

They didn't give me any trouble until I lowered it though.

In that case I'd have to agree and say your suspension geometry is off. Just curious as to who did the alignment also? Do you trust them, or was it one of those dime a dozen places?

Just for grins, if you still have the stock wheels, swap one back on and see if there is a spacing issue with it. From the looks of the photo, you won't even have to have a tire on it. Just check the rim distance.

 

[bhuff30]

Come on guys, it's not the alignment....

It's the offset of the wheels. Clearly, these wheels have a different offset than standard GT wheels and are slightly more tucked in.

The fix was given, Mach 1 or cobra A-arms. I imagine most tubular A arms would have additional clearance as well.

The other option is to run a wheel spacer. Depending on how much the tire rubs, as little as 1/8" could be enough. Just be sure you keep enough thread engagement or get longer/hardened studs.

 

[COramprat]

Come on guys, it's not the alignment....

It's the offset of the wheels. Clearly, these wheels have a different offset than standard GT wheels and are slightly more tucked in.

The fix was given, Mach 1 or cobra A-arms. I imagine most tubular A arms would have additional clearance as well.

The other option is to run a wheel spacer. Depending on how much the tire rubs, as little as 1/8" could be enough. Just be sure you keep enough thread engagement or get longer/hardened studs.

I think jinx was onto what you are suggesting. Mach 1 or Cobra a-arms are out of the question so I'll look into the wheel spacer. I don't think it has to be much but I sure don't want to have those suckers untucked from under the fender. The previous set of tires wore about 1/8 into the inner tread so a 1/8 spacer may do the trick.

 

[jfman]

03/04 Cobra A-Arms (FRPP) will fix the issue. It gives 10% more turning radius on a 94-98 mustang

+1 I run those on my fox and even with s197 wheels there is no rubbing whatsover at full lock. Turning radius is amazing.

They will make you car wider btw.