Arches (just started) catching. -2" drop/LR 90's. Help?

[L14MNP]

Morning all.

This one has me scratching my head. I run 175/50/13's all around on 7J Superlites and arch clearence has never been an issue. I'm not sure of the ET on the wheels but they are a perfect fit for the car.
Just recently though the back arches have started to catch the side walls if I have a person in the back and some stuff, trolley jack, couple BMX's maybe - nothing major.

Now it happens reguarly with just one person in the front and the spare wheel in the boot and on occasion with just me in the car (if going quickly on back roads for EG)

WHen I fitted the Defender shocks I got the impression they were supporting the car and it certainly felt that way too, as the ride was much firmer. They can't be more than a year old.

I know they're in good order as I just recently refitted these wheels.

Could it be the springs sagging? I don't know much about leafs TBH! I guess double leafing should help too?


Any advice/ideas appreciated as I'm sick of this and it just seems to be getting worse - and I was was planning a -3" drop seeing as I run the correct offset wheels. :/


[EDIT] at present the rears have 175/55/13's but it started catching with the 50's.

[340GLT]

Roll the rear arches mate LFE did this with 7.5j x 16 ET35 comps. on a 40mm drop. Rolled the arches and its perfect.
Adam

[L14MNP]

Cheers Adam. I guess I could but the paint isn't the best on the lips lol. Fcuk repainting it too. I know I can try the heat gun to soften uit and I made a roller a while back, was just hoping I wouldn't need to use it on this car.

Not reckon it's queer how it never caught before? Also what gauge steel are the leaves made from? GLT are stronger yeah, so they're thicker? I want to get the appropriate gauge steel to double leaf.

Cheers, Liam.

[340GLT]

They are a bitch to roll as they curve back in, i hammer and dollied mine putting loads of masking tape on outer edge and keeping them nice and warm.
Adam

[L14MNP]

Sounds a right carry on! Cheers dude.

[macplaxton]

Stiffen the back so it doesn't catch the arches? I'm think it's best to bugger about the bodywork too much.

Dampers do the damping and springs hold the thing up. Check the height without the shocks.


(For me? 155 13s FTW! It's a bit like sailing a boat then.)

[magnumpi]

I tried replying to this yesterday but lost my internet connection

Maybe is the price you have to pay for looking cool, mine didn't rub before lowering and it does now after a 2" drop. Thats with the arches rolled aswell, paid for as i couldn't be bothered to do it myself .

Weirdly on mine i've found it's not at the top of the lip thats catching where i thought it would, but at about 40degrees down from the top center point in a clockwise direction, annoyingly it's around the point where the roll stops. The tyre has managed to catch it and pull it out again, i've bentit back for now but will get the arches rolled futher round and i reckon it will solve it.

Mine only rubs in two situations, 1/ coming into my road too quickly as it's got a nasty upwards camber and it loads all the weight onto either rear wheel depending what direction i come in from, 2/ spirited driving on bumpy roads.

My desecrated tyres:
Drivers side





Passenger:

[filthyjohn]

Weirdly on mine i've found it's not at the top of the lip thats catching where i thought it would, but at about 40degrees down from the top center point in a clockwise direction

Bingo, mine too. On mine the tyre pulled the arch outwards and made it catch more often, which pulled it out more, etc etc etc. Rolling the arches is the best way forwards. Or chop em up and fit mk1 golf repair panels.

[magnumpi]

I guessed getting them rolled futher will sort it, i'll get that done then Atleast it saves me having to cut into my relatively rust free arches.

[CBA]

bigger bump stops.

[CBA]

if the suspension is stiffer (is it) and springs stronger then you can set it up for less travel

[L14MNP]

Nasty luck on the tyres lads! Mine don't catch that badly but I guess I run different wheel/tyre combos to you two.

CBA, that's not a bad idea mate! Now that you mention it. When the rain finally subsides I will replace them.