Oops they rub..what now?

JerryDodrill · 08-24-2010, 08:43 PM

So I just bought a set of tires and wheels from The Tire Rack for my MY99 2.5RS. Everything was green no fitment issues. I get the goods, install, check for rubbing and all is good. Take a road trip on the highway, and I get rubbing on the sidewall (not a good place for it IMO). I was thinking some stiffer springs might help (Tire Rack won't take em back because they have already been installed). What would my options be? The Wheels are 16x7.5 +48ET with 205 55 16 tires.

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cazwrx187 · 08-24-2010, 08:45 PM

Where and what are they rubbing on?

JerryDodrill · 08-24-2010, 08:50 PM

It looks like some molding on the inside of the fenders. I'm a bit reluctant to remove it because of salt during the winter (rust), but I guess a little bit of plastic isn't keeping out salt water .

cazwrx187 · 08-24-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryDodrill

It looks like some molding on the inside of the fenders. I'm a bit reluctant to remove it because of salt during the winter (rust), but I guess a little bit of plastic isn't keeping out salt water .

Little black rubber molding on inside of rear fenders? Yank it off. I live in NY and did this last year when I rolled my fenders. Don't worry about rust.

If it still rubs on the metal, have your fenders rolled.

Uncle Scotty · 08-24-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryDodrill

So I just bought a set of tires and wheels from The Tire Rack for my MY99 2.5RS. Everything was green no fitment issues. I get the goods, install, check for rubbing and all is good. Take a road trip on the highway, and I get rubbing on the sidewall (not a good place for it IMO). I was thinking some stiffer springs might help (Tire Rack won't take em back because they have already been installed). What would my options be? The Wheels are 16x7.5 +48ET with 205 55 16 tires.

yer too low

Luke@tirerack · 08-25-2010, 10:23 AM

I am looking at EXACTLY what you ordered and it should not rub ... is your car modified at all? Is it rubbing on both side or just one? Is it only thast plastic trim piece on the rear fender liner? camber settings?

JerryDodrill · 08-25-2010, 10:15 PM

Its bone stock, no mods at all. Rubbing on the outer tire sidewall right across the Kumho logo. The molding is worn from the rubbing but no other signs of wear. I haven't taken the molding off yet because it looks like I'll only get 3-4mm out of it, may be enough but there is a nice sharp blade edge underneath it that I really wouldn't want playing with the sidewalls. Could this be a worn spring or shock issue? I'll get some photos up tomorrow.

Krang · 08-25-2010, 10:48 PM

You have a bunch of sand bags in your trunk?

JerryDodrill · 08-25-2010, 11:08 PM

LOL no sandbags. Trunk is empty aside from the spare.

Patrick Olsen · 08-26-2010, 09:28 AM

Something is broken if your car is riding low enough to scrape the sidewalls on the inside of the fender. Do you have any pictures of your car, like a good profile shot?

Here's what appears to be a stock 2.5RS:

You'd have to compress the suspension about 4" to get the sidewalls to rub anything inside the wheel wells.

Pat Olsen

Saj5DJ · 08-27-2010, 08:48 AM

More likely that the plastic molding isn't sitting right. Check if there are any clips missing, debris building up behind it, etc.

Happened on my '09 with the stock wheels and tires, I broke a clip and the molding was sitting an inch or so too far outboard.

dangerousatom · 08-28-2010, 12:12 AM

You most likely have a saggy butt AKA old tired springs

rolling the fenders would probably fix the issue...like $75-100 to get the rears done

JerryDodrill · 08-28-2010, 01:39 AM

Trying to figure out how to load up the photos to show how the car sits. After comparing to the blue photo I am sitting 2-3 inches lower.

JerryDodrill · 08-28-2010, 11:05 AM

Crossing my fingers that this works

JerryDodrill · 08-28-2010, 11:08 AM

Excellent looks like it worked. So it sounds like I can either A-get new springs, or B-roll the fenders to fix the rubbing? I don't think there is anything wrong with the plastic molding but I'll check into that too, since its the weekend.

Boxologist · 08-28-2010, 11:30 AM

if u have tired springs on a 10 year old car and have never replaced the struts, those are on the way out too.

feint05 · 08-28-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangerousatom

You most likely have a saggy butt AKA old tired springs

rolling the fenders would probably fix the issue...like $75-100 to get the rears done

roll them, my old rs had 17x7s and the spt springs and it rubbed like nobodys buisness. The fender lip is huge on an rs and the rubber peice is even worse

Uncle Scotty · 08-29-2010, 10:09 PM

beet your offset isnt what you think it is on those wheels

dangerousatom · 08-29-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feint05

roll them, my old rs had 17x7s and the spt springs and it rubbed like nobodys buisness. The fender lip is huge on an rs and the rubber peice is even worse

I have 17x225x45 on my 97 OBS wagon with only rolled fenders up front and its lowered. Im seriously thinking you have issues that need fixing before rolling fenders.........your offset maybe way off Suby standards

subaru3169 · 08-29-2010, 10:37 PM

imo rolling is only covering up the symptoms and not solving the real issue

since your struts/springs are completely stock, are they the originals that came on your car brand new?? if so, then it is most definitely time to replace both and get aligned

check the wheels as well like scotty said, those size tires should NOT be rubbing at all

08-24-2010, 08:43 PM	#1
JerryDodrill Scooby Newbie Member#: 23235 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Erie, PA Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5RS Black	Oops they rub..what now? So I just bought a set of tires and wheels from The Tire Rack for my MY99 2.5RS. Everything was green no fitment issues. I get the goods, install, check for rubbing and all is good. Take a road trip on the highway, and I get rubbing on the sidewall (not a good place for it IMO). I was thinking some stiffer springs might help (Tire Rack won't take em back because they have already been installed). What would my options be? The Wheels are 16x7.5 +48ET with 205 55 16 tires. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

08-24-2010, 08:45 PM	#2
cazwrx187 Scooby Newbie Member#: 176592 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Guilderland, N.Y. Vehicle: 2002 WRX-Sold 1998/04 Unicorn RSTi	Where and what are they rubbing on? Last edited by cazwrx187; 08-24-2010 at 08:55 PM.

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08-24-2010, 08:50 PM	#3
JerryDodrill Scooby Newbie Member#: 23235 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Erie, PA Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5RS Black	It looks like some molding on the inside of the fenders. I'm a bit reluctant to remove it because of salt during the winter (rust), but I guess a little bit of plastic isn't keeping out salt water .

08-25-2010, 10:23 AM	#6
Luke@tirerack Tire Rack Moderator Member#: 1215 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: The Tire Rack Vehicle: 800 -428-8355 ext. 4362	I am looking at EXACTLY what you ordered and it should not rub ... is your car modified at all? Is it rubbing on both side or just one? Is it only thast plastic trim piece on the rear fender liner? camber settings?

08-25-2010, 10:15 PM	#7
JerryDodrill Scooby Newbie Member#: 23235 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Erie, PA Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5RS Black	Its bone stock, no mods at all. Rubbing on the outer tire sidewall right across the Kumho logo. The molding is worn from the rubbing but no other signs of wear. I haven't taken the molding off yet because it looks like I'll only get 3-4mm out of it, may be enough but there is a nice sharp blade edge underneath it that I really wouldn't want playing with the sidewalls. Could this be a worn spring or shock issue? I'll get some photos up tomorrow.

08-25-2010, 10:48 PM	#8
Krang Scooby Specialist Member#: 134272 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: HIIC Location: Kailua, Hawaii Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon - WRB ej207 v8 vf37	You have a bunch of sand bags in your trunk?

08-25-2010, 11:08 PM	#9
JerryDodrill Scooby Newbie Member#: 23235 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Erie, PA Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5RS Black	LOL no sandbags. Trunk is empty aside from the spare.

08-26-2010, 09:28 AM	#10
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	Something is broken if your car is riding low enough to scrape the sidewalls on the inside of the fender. Do you have any pictures of your car, like a good profile shot? Here's what appears to be a stock 2.5RS: You'd have to compress the suspension about 4" to get the sidewalls to rub anything inside the wheel wells. Pat Olsen

08-27-2010, 08:48 AM	#11
Saj5DJ Scooby Newbie Member#: 209669 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario Vehicle: 1997 Miata	More likely that the plastic molding isn't sitting right. Check if there are any clips missing, debris building up behind it, etc. Happened on my '09 with the stock wheels and tires, I broke a clip and the molding was sitting an inch or so too far outboard.

08-28-2010, 12:12 AM	#12
dangerousatom Visiting NASIOC Timeout Member#: 70710 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Quakertown/AREA1320 391whp Vehicle: 2002 04STi Swaped RS w/PPGS & 02 Wagon w/PPGs	You most likely have a saggy butt AKA old tired springs rolling the fenders would probably fix the issue...like $75-100 to get the rears done

08-28-2010, 01:39 AM	#13
JerryDodrill Scooby Newbie Member#: 23235 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Erie, PA Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5RS Black	Trying to figure out how to load up the photos to show how the car sits. After comparing to the blue photo I am sitting 2-3 inches lower.

08-28-2010, 11:05 AM	#14
JerryDodrill Scooby Newbie Member#: 23235 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Erie, PA Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5RS Black	Crossing my fingers that this works

08-28-2010, 11:08 AM	#15
JerryDodrill Scooby Newbie Member#: 23235 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Erie, PA Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5RS Black	Excellent looks like it worked. So it sounds like I can either A-get new springs, or B-roll the fenders to fix the rubbing? I don't think there is anything wrong with the plastic molding but I'll check into that too, since its the weekend.

08-28-2010, 11:30 AM	#16
Boxologist Scooby Guru Member#: 21118 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: LI, NY	if u have tired springs on a 10 year old car and have never replaced the struts, those are on the way out too.

08-29-2010, 10:09 PM	#18
Uncle Scotty NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	beet your offset isnt what you think it is on those wheels

08-29-2010, 10:37 PM	#20
subaru3169 Scooby Guru Member#: 55252 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: i know, i regret it too Vehicle: * pullup bar *	imo rolling is only covering up the symptoms and not solving the real issue since your struts/springs are completely stock, are they the originals that came on your car brand new?? if so, then it is most definitely time to replace both and get aligned check the wheels as well like scotty said, those size tires should NOT be rubbing at all