Eibach springs/rubbing while road racing

MrZUMZUM · 04-01-03, 06:37 AM

Since you guys have such good information, any ideas on why my car rubs on hard cornering since I installed Eibach springs on the stock shocks. It lowered the car 1", which I liked, but now the car rubs in the top of the wheel wells on hard cornering.

I posted this before but no one could give me a good reason. I suggested possibly that I didn't replace the pillow mounts (70K miles on em) but everyone seemed to think that wasn't it. Everything's seated properly, springs are right side up, etc.

Maybe I'll just call Eibach and say WTF? These are supposed to be "racing" springs, etc. so what gives?

TIA.

David

DaveB · 04-01-03, 07:23 AM

David,

The Eibach "racing" springs are probably only 25 to 35 percent stiffer than stock. Not knowing what the load rating is, I only venture a guess. You are probably rubbing because:
1 - the car is 1" lower which brings the tire closer to the fender
2 - the springs are not quite stiff enough to prevent body lean or compression

From my own experience, the factory springs on an FC are rated at about 100 to 115 pounds/sq. in. the Eibachs at about 125 to 140. My suspension in the coil over setup is 350 front and 250 rear using 2 1/2 inch springs.

From my perspective, you have 2 options. Either raise the ride height or stiffen the springs. You might also stiffen the bars if you have that option available to you.

Good luck!

db

tims · 04-01-03, 08:26 AM

you changed the springs, but what about the 70k shocks, suspension bushing, swaybars and links, etc? looks like you lowered the ride height with the "racing" springs and the suspension travel is causing the tires to rub. suspensions are a system and changing or adding one part in the system can cause more problems than it solves. when you lowered the ride height did you have the alignment checked? positive camber on the front may also be a problem.

DamonB · 04-01-03, 08:28 AM

DaveB speaks the truth. You are rubbing because you have lowered the car and the tires are up in the fenders in hard cornering. Even if the bump stops are good you can still rub.

DaveB · 04-01-03, 09:20 AM

What Tim said.............

db

MrZUMZUM · 04-01-03, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys. No doubt the ride height coming down 1" caused the rubbing.

I just kinda wish Eibach had told me this, as in, "these springs are great for lowering your car, but if you are tracking it you may experience some problems with rubbing". Then I wouldn't have bothered and either stuck with stock or taken this money and put it towards some coilovers or whatever. I'll check with an alignment shop regarding the camber, but they look dead on neutral with the naked eye. Also the shop changing the springs were careful to mark the settings prior to the change to set them back the same.

David

tims · 04-01-03, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Also the shop changing the springs were careful to mark the settings prior to the change to set them back the same

thats good enough to get it to the alignment rack. when the ride height is lowered the front tires tend to gain positive camber, toe is also changed. where exactly is it rubbing? tires on the spring, tire to the fender lip, or tire to the top of the inside fender? tires to the spring=usually wrong wheel offset, tires to the fender lip=camber/toe problem see alignment shop, tire to the top inside fender= this seems to happen easily with the plastic liners in place and if the suspension travels beyond normal(heavy bump in corner). can remove liners to gain more room or increase ride height ans shock valving. my race car does this on bumpy tracks but has yet to be a problem. keep an eye on the tires and monitor for damage

Quote:

just kinda wish Eibach had told me this, as in, "these springs are great for lowering your car, but if you are tracking it you may experience some problems with rubbing".

no matter what Eibach's marketing slogan is these are designed for the street where the car is not likely to see the speeds and suspension travel you will at the track. .

MrZUMZUM · 04-01-03, 12:30 PM

Tims:

Thanks for all the input. It's definitely tire to the top inside fender well, as in right above the tire. So far it has yet to cause tire damage; I check it regularly.

Maybe right now it's just a nuisance, but might create more of a problem if I widen the wheels/tires. Running stock 8" rims now and stock 225 width setup.

Didn't think about removing the plastic liners, but a guy told me that right above the left front fender liner is the ABS wiring so if you rub through that you're kinda screwed. Is he right? and would I be exposing anything important by removing them?

Other than that I "think" my alignments OK by the ***-o-meter, as in it tracks straight, tire wear looks even, etc.

Appreciate the input on the Eibachs/their marketing. Bought them off ebay for $100 and paid another $150 to install them. Thought it was a good move but now I've created these problems. Oh well, live and learn.

Thanks again.

David

DamonB · 04-01-03, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrZUMZUM
...a guy told me that right above the left front fender liner is the ABS wiring so if you rub through that you're kinda screwed. Is he right?

Yes, he is; almost. It's not the ABS wiring but the crash sensor wiring for the airbag. The reason I am versed on this is I once dropped the car low for a track event and rubbed through the tops of the fender liners. There is more than just the airbag wiring in there; I definately do not recommend removing them on a street car as it would ruin your whole day to have the car bottom out and the airbag explode in your face.

FYI all the crash sensors (3 in the front end) are wired with a light blue cable. One goes through the left fender liner and inside the car and one comes out from in front of the radiator, runs across the passenger fender and strut tower before plugging into a connector near the ABS pump. Not sure where the third one goes.