BMR 1 inch springs bottom out
 

So while installing a new front sway bar yesterday I noticed rub marks on the bottom side of my struts, the area just above the wheel... I have had BMR 1 inch drop springs on my car for a while(over 20k miles) along with the rear size 20x9 rims on all 4 corners(15k miles). What should I do to correct the wheel contacting the bottom side of the strut? cut the bump stops, get new struts...
:thanks:

Post a pic. I think I know what you're describing but a picture would help a lot. I suspect the front offset is wrong and a wheel spacer (or wheel with the proper offset) would solve it. I had a similar problem due to aggressive camber that I solved with camber plates.

Ahhhh yes. My front camber isn't set super agressive but it is at about -1.6 or so. I will try to pull a wheel off and get a picture for you. thanks!

Yeah running a factory 20x9 on the front with -1.6 degs of camber will be very close. A small wheel spacer will help prevent that but if you'd rather stay away from spacers a camber plate will let you run the strut knuckle at around -.75 or -1 deg and put the camber back in at the camber plate.

Like Jeremy said it sounds like the clearance issue is due to the wheel you are running on the front and the amount of camber you are running with your current alignment. The easiest way to alleviate this would be to run a small wheel spacer or run less negative camber. Camber plates will also do it but it is going to be more work and $$$.

Just a few pictures of the damage on the bottom of the struts.

Attachment 523442

Attachment 523444
Attachment 523445

I suppose I will need to adjust my camber settings a but and get some camber plates.

Jeremywes, bmr... any more insight given the pictures i posted?

thanks

:bump:

The rub on the bottom of the strut spring seat is not destructive and not a cause for alarm.

What are your cold tire pressures?

What size tires are you running? Camber isn't really going to fix anything. I suggest going with a somewhat shorter tire next go around. But like Pete said, it's not a huge deal and it's not constantly rubbing. The only time I see it rubbing is at high speeds when the tires fully expand.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

I am running a nitto invo 275-40/20 up front which is 28.66 inches according to a few different sites.

The main issue might be the change in offset and the wider tire. Since the offset of the factory front and rear wheels are different and I have the rear 9inch rims in the front and back now.

Thanks for the responses though!

Tire pressures decrease or increase tire movement. Your PSI is an important factor.

You are right about the offsets. You can use a 3 to 5mm spacer to move the wheel out. Check the amount of thread captured in the lug nuts. As long as the nut is filled with threads you are good to go.

Pushing the front wheels out will also improve your handling. adding just 6mm in front track reduces understeer significantly.

They are at 36 'cold' (north Alabama 90+ temps most of the day)

I will see what I can do as far as spacers go. Pete what's your opinion on larger spacers like hubcentric 20-25mm spacers? That way the wheels we be mostly flush with the fenders

I thought the tire was rubbing on the actual body of the shock, not the springs perch. Since it rubbing on the spring perch it definitely due to the the change in offset and the wider tire. I can tell you that I am not a huge fan of those larger hubcentric spacers. I would recommend just throwing a small spacer on and you should be good to go.

36 is more than enough so we can't gain anything there.

Way too much. At the most you'll need 6mm per side. If that is what's required you install ARP studs and get billet aluminum spacers. First try 3 or 4mm spacers. Cover the bare steel mark on the struts with a single layer of masking tape. If the tape stays in place you are good to go. If not we know what to do next.