Need some advice - Rear Rims rubbing

[Ex-Rolla]

Hey guys, hope you wheel pro's can help me out with a problem i'm having.

I purchased these RX-8 Mazdaspeed rims last November and finally put them on today.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2387614057_a9402115ce_o.jpg

You can find info on the rims below

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/speedDisplayAccessoryDetail.action?endModelYear=20 06&categoryId=5&speedAccessoryId=117&carLineCode=RX8&startModelYear=2004

The tires i purchased are the General Exlaim UHP (225/40/18).

I have the Mazdasped Struts and springs with camber correction kit installed and i'm getting some serious rubbing issues in the rear. Small dips on the highway/roads cause them to rub, sometimes severely which is of course worrisome. (the rim/tire protrudes from the fender by almost 1cm)

As far as i was told, these are the same width/offset as the stock mazda rx-8 rims, and many people have rx-8 rims installed with a greater drop than me and have absolutely no problems. Is it just simply a bad fit? or would you guys maybe recommend replacing the camber correction kit and installing the stock ones back in order to get the "angle" back. I know this won't be the ideal situation for the tires, but my drop isn't that extreme.

Only other thing i can think of what may be causing the problem is the aftermarket rotors i have (magnum cross drilled). could that be causing the rims to rub due to added width?

If it's simply a bad fit i will be forced to sell the rims, but they look so dams sexy on the car :)

Buuuttt Safety first :)

[dentinger]

are you sure its the same offset as the stock rx8 rims??

and have you thought about getting your fenders rolled?

[Ex-Rolla]

are you sure its the same offset as the stock rx8 rims??

Maybe i should re-phrase what i said :)... I was told that they should fit "no problem" by Mazda.



have you thought about getting your fenders rolled?

I have, but would rather not... i don't even think rolling the fenders will help lol... I'll try and take a pic of how much it sticks out and you'll see what i mean :).

I just installed them today and if i need to modify anything, i'd rather re-install my stock 17's...

[Kevin@nextmod]

first of all...i demand pics of your car with them and then we'll help you out with this. :)

[Ex-Rolla]

first of all...i demand pics of your car with them and then we'll help you out with this. :)

not the best pictures (used my phone) but you'll get the idea... NOW HELP ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2387822995_a7c45553c5_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/2387822849_6cd4a2ea56_o.jpg

Notice the tire sticking out...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2388652008_30086482aa.jpgThis Picture shows the tire sticking out.

[andytam]

what offset are these wheels?
you may have to roll your fenders

[Kevin@nextmod]

it does not look like 55offset to me.

[Noisy Crow]

Using this:

QUOTE "They will fit. the offset for the 3 is +52 the Rx-8 is +50 you have to change the tires to 225/40/18'sand it will work fine."
http://www.mazda3club.com/showpost.php?p=356924&postcount=5


I went here:
http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

Assumed the wheel is 7.5" wide

And got this:
Package is 7 mm (0.3'') closer to suspension/brakes components. Acceptable for most cars.
Fenders Package will stick out 13 mm (0.5'') farther. Acceptable for most cars
Wheelwells: No change in clearance

So you *should* be okay. However, if the Magnum rotors have added thickness the wheels will be pushed out.

What camber links are you running? The fixed MS ones to match the springs?

[RX9]

^^^ yup, it looks like +42, isnt RX-8 stock offset +45 or less?

[Ex-Rolla]

So you *should* be okay. However, if the Magnum rotors have added thickness the wheels will be pushed out.

What camber links are you running? The fixed MS ones to match the springs?


Correct... the ones that came with the kit.

[Noisy Crow]

^^^ yup, it looks like +42, isnt RX-8 stock offset +45 or less?

A quick google came up with +50 pretty much everywhere.

Unless the car has been bent, the only way those rims should stick out so far is either they aren't +50, (which is what you guys are saying), the rotor hubs are extra thick, or the tires aren't 225s.

Hmmm.... used rims with spacers mounted to them maybe?

[Ex-Rolla]

Hmmm.... used rims with spacers mounted to them maybe?

Well to be honest, i picked them up used from Mazda... it was off a demo RX-8. I took a look and there seem to be no spacers that may have been seized on and did not notice until the wheels were installed. Tires state 225, so unless all 4 were mislabelled, we can scratch that idea.

My guess is that these wheels will not work with the car. Any other thought's/suggestions are welcome!!!

[Fobio]

I have to ask...how much did you grab the wheels for? and how much will you let them go for?

[condor888000]

Try taking off one rim and seeing if it says the offset on the back, that could be a big issue. And those rims at 8 inch wide, not 7.5.

[Ex-Rolla]

I have to ask...how much did you grab the wheels for? and how much will you let them go for?

Haven't decided yet, but if i do decide to part with them, i'll post something up on the buy/sell forum :)

Thanks for the interest though.

[Noisy Crow]

Try taking off one rim and seeing if it says the offset on the back, that could be a big issue. And those rims at 8 inch wide, not 7.5.

7.5 or 8 doesn't make any difference. I tried both out on the offset tool.

Other people are running 18" RX8 rims with 225's no problem. I know of several people that have had other 18" put on.... Allen @ SimplyTire's been doing brisk business selling 18"ers with +42 and +45 offset.

There is a TSB out for the earlier 3's... rubbing was occuring with the right rear wheel under hard bumps. The gas filler spashguard needed to be trimmed back a bit.

[Malcolm991]

I have the same problem, probably not as bad as my car is not dropped like yours. The offset is not what it should be, you can tell by how far your wheels stick out from the fenders. The price we pay to get that nice lip

[RedRaptor]

RX8 rims have a 50mm offset. They also stick out a little bit as well.

I believe the offset on the Mazdaspeed rims you got are +42mm.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7050/rx8rimsprofilejn6.jpg

[Ex-Rolla]

After talking to one of the sponsors, Simply Tire, i decided to get them machined to a 50 offset... currently they are at 40 (which explains why they don't fit)

I like the rims on the car too damn much to give them back or sell them :D... I will post up some pics when i get them back on Friday.

Thanks for the help guys.

[zoom_concept]

Well how I run cars, camber kits will always be the root of problems when running lowered cars and trying to run wide tires in any size...

why do I say that?

Camber kits, will push the wheels straight meaning positive camber...

so this is what is happening to your rear wheels, they are pushed to zero camber and this the wheel is in a straight position...

I would honestly, take out the rear camber kit and just align the rear end...

without the Camber kit, the negative camber will angle the wheel enough to clear your fenders...

also thanks to your high offset, is another reason why your wheels stick out....and adding to your camber kit, yup will push those wheels to hit the fender

I dont even think rolling your fenders would help....

so with that in mind, IMO this is why I say camber kits suck on lowered cars! causes nothing but problems....

alignment FTW! Toe is what you need to watch out for and not camber....

[mEtH]

good job zoom! bout time someone said to take out the camber kit...
Well glad to hear you are getting it fixed, hope it all works out for you. Other options is that doesn't make it work is to take out the camber links and roll fenders if needed.

We are going to want better pics after its all worked out :chuckle

[3GFX]

Got to this thread a little late, but those were definitly a lower offset rim. Glad it will work out for you though. Those rims are hotness! Need to see more pics ASAP!

[Ex-Rolla]

good job zoom! bout time someone said to take out the camber kit...
Well glad to hear you are getting it fixed, hope it all works out for you. Other options is that doesn't make it work is to take out the camber links and roll fenders if needed.

We are going to want better pics after its all worked out :chuckle


no problem... pics will come :)

I mentioned removing the camber links but even with a 40 ofset, they would be too wide. I'll probably remove them if there is only a tiny bit of clearance

[mEtH]

a third option is dropping down to 215/40/18

[S.F.W.]

a third option is dropping down to 215/40/18

What are some of the drawbacks of using this size tire? I am approaching a similar quandary.

[3GFX]

Well outside diameter along with less area. You get the stretch look, so if you like it, then thats a good thing.

[ZeroChalk]

wow.. those are really nice rims.

[Fobio]

I saw these rims today in person...I was gonna thief 'em...lol...then I realized I needed to get away with my car, which was on jacks...

I DEMAND PICS!

[Ex-Rolla]

Thanks ZeroChalk & Fabio...

Can't wait to have em on the car!

[Ex-Rolla]

Unfortunately the rims can't be shaved down to a 50 offset. Can't be shaved down period because from the 11mm there is, driving around with a 1mm peice of aluminum holding my wheel to the hub won't be a good idea ;)

Ahh well... No rims for me :(

[mEtH]

take out your camber arms and run 215/40 that'll do yah.
Why not shave the hub to increase the offset just a little bit, not to 50... a 45 would be perfect, even a 42 would suffice.

[Ex-Rolla]

take out your camber arms and run 215/40 that'll do yah.
Why not shave the hub to increase the offset just a little bit, not to 50... a 45 would be perfect, even a 42 would suffice.


Unfortunately there is only about 11mm to spare so the most i would go is 42 (2 mm)

From your experience, Would it be enough if i go with 215 and reinstall the stock camber links? would i need to roll my fenders?

thanks!!

[mEtH]

I cant guarantee, but the mm's you would save by running 215 would be about the same as the width on the lip that you would roll. What tires are you running? also what drop on are you on?

[Ex-Rolla]

I cant guarantee, but the mm's you would save by running 215 would be about the same as the width on the lip that you would roll. What tires are you running? also what drop on are you on?

I have the General UHP tires 225/40/18. Drop is the mazdaspeed struts/springs set.

[mEtH]

I would be 85% sure that if you went to a 215/40 and put stock arms in that you would clear. Now running a full car with 5 people and taking a left turn at a fair speed I would not recommend but you get the idea :chuckle

I am basing this off the specs of a 42 offset as others with a 42 have just rolled their fenders but mind you also were driving a hatch and had a pretty heave sub box in the back. Not to mention stock Shocks/Struts...

[Ex-Rolla]

Hey guys...

Where can I get my fenders rolled professionally and not with a baseball bat lol..

Thanks!

[mit-gee-mui]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=20430

and tires23

??

[Ex-Rolla]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=20430

and tires23

??

thanks!

Hopefully he still has it...