Hey guys...I'm planning on going to the track in August but wanted to take care of a little suspension work when I go. I'm running Tokico Illuminas with Eibach springs and have had problems with rubbing in the past at this particular track (Thunderhill...there's a section with a little bump that I ALWAYS rubbed on). I was running stock tires with 245/45 Kumhos, and the rubbing was always on the front left (although I'm pretty sure that on a hard left turn, the front right would probably rub as well).

I recently switched my wheels out to some 17" tires with 235 size tires in the front, and although I was having problems with lip rubbing initially, I've since rolled the fender and have no problems with that. However, now I'm concerned about rubbing in the wheel well! Although I haven't experienced any rubbing yet, I've got a good feeling that on the track, I'll have problems.

Is this unusual? I feel that people running on Eibachs don't usually have rubbing problems, but I was having problems even with the stock wheel (although it was a wider tire...)

Any suggestions are appreciated! Is it possible that something is worn out (maybe the strut top)? If this is considered normal with the Eibachs, I might just have to go find some Ground control coilovers or somethin...

Thanks in advance!
Allen

 

Actually, from what I have read on here, it IS the people running on Eibachs that are having rubbing issues.

 

if you had a tein basic or a super street set up on your car you would not rub at all anywhere. cool thing with tein is that it is a 100% fully rebuildable shock. all you do if you was to ever blow one is call tein tell them you blew one of the shocks, they send you a new one, you take the blown one off put new one on send blwon one back. they are 16 way adj. they are and awesome set up, cant go wrong with em

 

Wow, I've never bottomed out at Thill, but have at Buttonwillow (Cotton corners). Yes, I've heard of many people rubbing with the Eibachs, which is why I avoided them.

I strongly suggest you order new upper spring seats, which is the solution I used to get rid of my rubbing issues. Haven't had a problem since, even with bigger diameter tires. Do a search in the suspension forum using my user name and "spring seat" for more info.

 

Yep the eibachs are terrible... had them with konis on previous FD, rubbed all the time on any hard corner. Yanked those springs and put the stock ones back in.. stock springs were better compared to those.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! Although ideally a full coilover setup would be ideal, the price of the Tein's or similar setup is simply way more than I'm willing to pay at this point. Rynberg...I was reading your other posts and came across something about different upper perch settings? Is that with the Koni's only, or on the stock mount?

The new spring seats helped out a lot? Hmm...I might just do that...

Thanks again!

 

Allenhah:

I had BAD rubbing with the stock wheels/tires -- a day at Buttonwillow and Thill (I actually do remember rubbing there now that I thought about it) pretty much shredded my passenger side fender liner.

With the new spring seats (and a few washers to further shim up the right side), I have only rubbed a couple of times on REALLY HARD bumps. I haven't rubbed at the track/auto-x at all and haven't caught the fender lip once. This is all with wider and taller tires (235/40 18 up front).

 

This is with the Eibachs?

If it is, I'm sold. You got them from Mazdaformance?

 

No, I have HKS springs, which were supposed to lower the car less than the Eibachs but lowered it more...

I got the spring seats from Mazdamotorsports (only have to auto-x twice a year to be a member). But I've bought several parts from Mazdaformance -- good people.

 

I have H&R springs which lowered the car quite a bit more than expected...

Replaced all spring mounts when I replaced springs and struts; best price I found was from Ray at Malloy Mazda.

With stock wheels and 225/50 tires I have no rubbing issues.

 

Okay so I replaced the front strut mounts two nights ago and took the car for a quick spin. Initial thought: the ride feels a lot nicer somehow...maybe the new rubber allows a more "solid" feeling perhaps?

No rubbing...yet. I noticed as I was going off my driveway that my lip didn't scrape on the ground, which it normally does. A good sign so far. I plan on taking the car to Thunderhill in August, so that will be the true test for me.

So far though, it looks like the new strut mounts are definitely making a postiive difference. For any of you guys with minor rubbing issues, I would look into replacing the mounts, especially if you plan on doing a spring change or other suspension work that would require you to remove the strut assembly...

 

I'm glad it seems to be working.