I have an 02 with an Eibach Pro Kit, 17" rims, and Yokohama AVS Sport 235/45 tires. My problem is that when there is a load put on either of the front tires, they will rub against the plastic lining. Does anyone know a solution to this problem (without the obvious smaller tire or stock springs) I dont have a problem with hacking away at the wheelwell lining, I just dont want to eliminate the soundproofing it provides against rocks hitting the inside of the fender. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

I think the only real solution to this is to get wheels in the correct offset. In addition to sound proofing, the wheel well liners prevent your fenders from getting reverse rock dings...

 

Adjust a bit higher for more clearance if you can, but if you are going to be low you can consider stiffer front springs (or maybe bigger sway bar) to avoid body movement that contacts the tires.

 

You can cut away some of the liner at the top. What really causes rubbing are two tabs on inside the fender well that's supposed to hold the lining. Bend those in, and it should be fine.

 

if you rub fender liner, you are rubbing fender. one solution is to cut out area and reweld a concave plate giving you room. i think i need to do that as well.

 

Yep, if you don't want to go the concave plate idea, then the solution is to buy rims that actually fit the car.

 

I should propably put it up on a jack and take the tire off to see exactly what it's rubbing on. I had a feeling it was the tabs that hold the lining on. Might just go all out and do some sheetmetal fabrication on this thing and have a nice wheelwell that I would never rub on.

I know the stock one prevents dings on the fender, but I wonder if I cut off only the top, and left the sides, if I could maybe run a couple layers of Dynamat on the inside of the fender. Definately soundproof it, and I dont think many rocks would be able to penetrate that stuff...

 

What front sway bar are you running. My 17's didn't rub with stock shocks and gendron hallow bar. Then I went to koni's had bad rubbing problems. I upped the sway bar to the solid one and It no longer rubs.

 

me too, already got one rock that made it's mark on my driver side fender.

 

I am running stock swaybars still, I havent autoX'ed the car yet, but there are some windey roads out here that I like to put some use to every now and then. What swaybars would you guys suggest? I really dont care about the ride or stiffness of the car, I just want it to perform well when I feel like having fun on those roads.