tyres scraping, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[darkman]

Hi guys, I bought a set of 15" penta's to go on my 190e thats lowered.
Once I'd fitted them I went for a test drive and I started hearing a very harsh rubbing/scraping noise when I turn corners. I'd spent a long time getting the wheels on and it really frustrated me when this happened as the wheels were fine on the 190 I bought them off. Plus I've seen plenty of other merc 190's lowered also that have the same or bigger rims and they have no problems.
Some one told me that I need a set of wheel spacers, is he right??? Before I go and blow my money on a set of spacers, can anyone help me?
i'd be very happy with your responses! Thanks.

 

[andy_k]

you need to know the offset on your new wheels compared to the old ones before you go buying spacers - it's important you get this right to avoid any sort of contact.

The offset or ET number should be stamped on the rim and this combined with the width of the wheel will determine whether or not you need spacers.

Are the tyres contacting on the inside or outside?

Are you sure it's just the tyres contacting and not the rims themselves rubbing something (brakes and struts are favourites)?

Andy

 

[darkman]

tyres scraping, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, thanks for the reply. Right I'll go now and check the offset on both wheels and I'll also get the width.

What do I do next?

I really need to get this sorted as quickly as because I'm using the car frequently.

 

[darkman]

details...

Here is all I could find on the wheels, firstly the steel wheels that I had initially:

6j x 15h2 - 185/65r15 Steels

7j x 15h1 - 205/55r15 Alloys

The back wheels are completly fine, its just the front wheels (when I steer/turn left or right) seem to be rubbing somewhere under the arches....

 

[darkman]

more....

I just went to tyre place and they said that the only thing they could think of is get low profile tyres or to take off the mud flaps. I'm confused....

 

[Sp!ke]

I just went to tyre place and they said that the only thing they could think of is get low profile tyres or to take off the mud flaps. I'm confused....

Mud flaps will do it... think you will find the tyres rub on the screw holding them on. Take'm off and see if it cures it.

 

[darkman]

What if it isnt?

What if it isnt the mud flaps? Are they easy to take off and put back on?
When they go back on (if problem ISNT sorted) will they stay on properly?

 

[Sp!ke]

Mudflaps are a two minute job to take off and put back on. A single bolt IIRC.

 

[bazza]

Check where the bumper meets the front wing, Quite common for 190's to rub there and isn't the first place you would normally start looking

 

[andy_k]

the tyres you have on are within tolerance - they'll actually make your speedo read about 2.5% fast if I've done the maths correctly.

Your only concern now should be that somewhere on the new wheels and te old ones there should be an ET number, if the stock wheel is ET39 then the new ones need to be about ET 32 (again if I've done the maths right)

As it's only rubbing when you turn I'd suggest that the inner edge of the tyre is probably catching against the inner wheelarch or the mud flap. If it's not the flap you may have to "modify" the inner wheel arch slightly or use a spacer, now here's where the fun starts.....

the spacer needs to be the difference in millimeters between the offset you have now and the offset you require to bring the new wheels out to the same position as the old ones - if you can find the ET numbers (it's usually stamped on the inner hub section of the wheel) and post them here we can work out the sizes.

If you use spacers make sure they are road legal ones - you MUST notify your insurance company if they are fitted and be sure to buy some extended bolts.

Andy

 

[willy]

i would agree with andy, it's probably the offset (ET number) is wrong and you need some spacers to adjust.

the correct spec should be for 190 - 1.8, 2.0, 2.6

non sports supension
steel wheels 6J X 15 H 2 ET49
Alloys 6J X 15 H 2 ET 49
Tyres 185/65 R 15

sports supension
steel wheels 7J X 15 H 2 ET42
Alloys 7J X 15 H 2 ET 44
Tyres 205/55 R 15

 

[darkman]

no luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bloody hell! I took both the front wheels off and checked underneath yet yet there were no ET numbers to be found! The only thing I spotted was d 54 which I dont think is of any use anyway. I think im gonna have to take the car into a tyre/wheel place.
Im so p'd off.......................

By the way the original wheels were et 49

 

[V12]

I doubt the offset is your problem...
Just over ET40 will be ideal, but we have run a 190, lowered 40mm, with 7J x 15's, with an offset of 34 and never had any problems at all.

I agree with the comment about where the bumper meets the wing, there is so little cearance there, from the factory, if the car has had a little knock before, it can push the bumper back just that bit to make it rub. See that the edge of the bumper does align with the wing.

It's always easiest to spot where it is rubbing, if there is dirt in the wheelarch, that way the dirt just rubs off and you can spot almost instantly.

Good Luck

 

[gareth_r]

You can measure the offset with a flat surface, a straightedge and a steel rule.

Lay the wheel face down on the flat surface
Lay the straightedge across the back of the wheel
Measure the distance from the bottom of the straightedge to the flat surface (we'll call this measurement A)
Measure the distance from the bottom of the straightedge to the mounting face which fits against the hub (we'll call this measurement B)

Offset is (A / 2) - B -- that is, the distance between the centre-line of the wheel and the mounting face.

 

[MainMan]

Somebody posted a very useful web-site:

http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/

Go to the section on wheels and tyres and it'll tell you everything you'll ever need to know.

 

[darkman]

Sorted!!!!

Guys, Ive sorted the problem out! All I had to do was p/x my tyres for lower profile 195/50r15s and the scraping stopped.
It was definatly those mud flaps! Many thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.