New rims stick out a little far (fender rub action happening)

[nobleclem]

So I purchased a new set of Drag DR-14 Rims and noticed that they stick out more than the stock rims. Now it makes the look NICE (IMHO) but the rear suspension is a little soft for them and it often rubs on the fender.

Not being the crazy car guy I ask for some opinions on what to do to resolve this problem. I am looking for the best inexpensive solutions. Things I can think of doing are modifying the suspension to limit travel or stiffen the rear end more or roll the fender (not really wanting to do this).

Any experiences with a situation like this?

[njaremka]

whats the size and offset?

[nobleclem]

Wheel Details Here: http://dragwheels.com/product.asp?ID=51

From Drag's Website:
Wheel Size: 17/7
Bolt Patter: 17" - (4 x 100/114.3)(5 x 100/114.3)

[njaremka]

um, ok - what size are the tires?

[nobleclem]

Oops... same thing as the stock MSP tires 215/45 I believe.

[njaremka]

the offset on the rims is wrong - whatever that happens to be. see if you can find out. that website you linked kind of sucks...

best thing to do would be roll the fenders to get a little more clearance

[nobleclem]

yea... so apparently discount tire sucks ass because the people I talked to and the website both show those rims as good for my car... Hurray stupidity.

Yea... I didn't know if I could prevent the suspension from traveling down that far. If I can I might rather do that because the rear end feels a little soft anyways.

[njaremka]

discount tire, huh? these? -
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findWheelDetail.do?mk=&yr=2003&wd=17&pc=68633&rw=7&vid=008078&bp=5-100

well, if the "40SS" is in reference to the offset, then yeah, +40 is not enough. protege's need at least a 45, if not more. stock is around 50 or so.

[nobleclem]

prolly no different but these are the specific ones: http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findWheelDetail.do?mk=&yr=2003&wd=17&pc=68632&rw=7&bp=4-100&vid=008078

[njaremka]

yeah, same thing - different color -> "40GMS" looks like refers to offset and color. sorry man, gonna have to roll your fenders.

[nobleclem]

So there is nothing I can do to the suspension to make it work... because they look so good as it sits. Right now I just can load up the car with people or I get the drag action happening.

I wonder if I can blame discount tire for not doing their job correctly.

[nobleclem]

So no suspension alternatives?

[njaremka]

MAYBE dial in some more camber in the rear, so they tuck. but, you might have to put so much in that it sacrafices your tire life and handling. plus, they might still not tuck enough that you have to roll the fenders anyway.

[nobleclem]

yea... I now remember my roommate mentioning something about that as another possibility but I think I wiped it from my memory as I was thinking about tire wear. I could take a picture of how it sits but the edge of the tire sits about to the edge of the fender.

[njaremka]

...the edge of the tire sits about to the edge of the fender.

that doesn't sound very good - i would try giving "discount" tire a call today and talking it over with someone. they might want to do something about it to save a customer.

[macklum]

You could go down a tire size to a 205 . The car is lowered on Tein S tech springs ,I am running a 40mm offset with 205/40/17 ,I have -1 degree of camber on the front and rear , I have no problems with rubbing even with the car loaded with 5 adults and luggage .
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c116/macklum/Picture017.jpg

[crashkelly]

Dude i had the same problem with that discount tire...i bought rims and tires and the fenders actually cut into the tire. Call them up and tell them they sold you rims that don't fit, Wrong offset. They were very helpful when i had the problem and sent me boxes that had shipping paid on them already to send back the rims (i kept the tires as they were not badly damaged).

[nobleclem]

my tires are fine as I am very careful to not cause rubbing... the only crappy thing is I really don't like any other rims that were in my price range. The tires I got were free from my roommates work (aparently $300/ea tires I can get the specs later tonight).

So overall I am in a kinda shitty situation where I love the wheels but have rubbing issues. I am basically I guess looking at some fender rolling action to keep them. I will take a picture for you guys to better analyze when I get home tonight.

[crashkelly]

my tires are fine as I am very careful to not cause rubbing... the only crappy thing is I really don't like any other rims that were in my price range. The tires I got were free from my roommates work (aparently $300/ea tires I can get the specs later tonight).

So overall I am in a kinda shitty situation where I love the wheels but have rubbing issues. I am basically I guess looking at some fender rolling action to keep them. I will take a picture for you guys to better analyze when I get home tonight.

Honestly thats a lot of trouble and risk of paint damage. My advice to you is send them back and save up a little more money for something nicer.

[1moreMPH]

Honestly thats a lot of trouble and risk of paint damage. My advice to you is send them back and save up a little more money for something nicer.

but first post pics, cuz those look hot.

[MsP155]

try bringing them to a wheel shop and shaving off a bit of mm