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my modified strut has a 1.25" lower-than-stock spring perch and is rubbing on the stock-sized tire...i'm not sure what to do now. i wanted to switch to 195/60 or /55s, but now it would seem i need to change to wheels with more (less?) offset to clear the spring perch. i've never tackled this sort of issue before, can someone advise?

some observations:

its about 75mm from the lip of the rim where it starts to rub
my current tires 165R15 86T
i wanted to use Baja-style wheels like func412 here:



ideas?
func412: what wheel / tire setup are you using in this picture?
please help!

Do you have room for a 1/4" spacer?

between wheel & rotor?

Ok.....dammit!.... this is precisely the reasons I went with the method I did....which is the stub adaptor and Audi strut cartridges...and when finished mine is almost identical to teh lowering height as yours...if not slightly lower.

Here was the gist: Lowering by about 1" in the front end.....lifts the rear end slightly as the body pivots around the rear axle. With teh Audi and stub mod...the front will then be just slightly lower than the rear....if you have good rear shocks.
Very slight mods to the upper rod threading on the rear shocks and the lower mounting bolt hole gave me the ability to level everything.
It pretty much looks like what you have and I can send you a picture if you want.

But...and here is what also helps.....I use 5.5" wheels and have 205/60 -15's on it. They have sidewalls that are about 3/4" lower than stock tires. That really helps the handling and the visual.

I noted quite a while back that lowering the perch...has this risk....and thats just in straight line driving. Going over bumps at compression is a heavy risk and will damage tire, suspension and possibly the inner fender well.

Several things you can do:

As noted, you can get a spacer for between the wheel and rotor. Test at full strut compression and at all turning angles to find what you need.

Also, at the moment...I use 205/60-15's on the aftermarket 356 style chromies you see in the magazines. The offset is nearly perfect and may work better with what you have. Check the offset of that wheel you are using.

Last resort...but it will work well. It appears that the lip or edge of the strut is the main issue and not the spring itself. You can grind away that outer portion and even scallop a bit into the spring seat area....with no negative effects to the spring seat. That may cover what you need. Hard to tell from the photo.

Personally...I would find a new pair of strut tubes and work from teh other direction. Ray

are there different inside offsets? does anyone know if those baja-style wheels are different from stock? i want to use the 5"...i found wheel spacers in 1/4" and 3/8" at cip1.com for $18/ea. (yikes), would i also need longer lug bolts? i'm thinking that a combination of wheel spacer and lower profile tires will give enough clearance...but thats an expensive gamble, no?

To be sure on the spacer, get washers, etc to try it out (w/o driving ). I think 1/4" spacers can be used with stock length lug bolts. Use this tool to get a visual on the tire section as you change sizes. The tool is loaded with 411/412 tire/wheel data, so just put your proposed changes in the right side and check the clearances. Subtract your spacer size from the wheel offset to get the "as mounted" clearances.

Wait...first measure what you have https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html#backspace

Then look at what stock is. If you get a wheel with offset/backspace similar to stock you can do better. Ray

great links, thanks. cip1.com lists a 15x5 with a 2" backspace and a 15x6 with a 3 3/4"... i'll need to check if theres clearance in in the rear, too. bill's link says the 6" rim w/3.75" backspace will stick out 2" further than stock, that seems like a lot...anyone have experience with these wheels on a 412?