HELP! Why are my wheels rubbing the arches?

[TT_Convert]

I recently fitted TSW Reflex alloys and lowered the car (July 2002 Cooper S) on 20mm Eibachs. The alloys are 17" with 40mm offset. I'm still on the Pirelli runflats.

When I'm in the car on my own, and hard left hander and a bump will cause the wheels to rub on the arches. Put 4 people in the car, and if anyone sneezes, the rubbing starts. So far as I can make out, this shouldn't happen, the size, offset and springs are all OK for the car, and other people on 20mm Eibachs and 17" alloys with 40mm offset are fine. WTF is going on???

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as this is spoiling an otherwise beautiful setup - drive and looks.

Pete

[JpMcC]

i am having the same problems with my car at the minute, 18" wheels on standard MINI One suspension

i contacted the place where I bought my wheels to make sure they were the correct offset etc and they are, when I have my mates out in the car it's a bit embarrising when you go over a tiny bump or around the corner and you get loud squeaking noises

[thesupermario69]

It might be to do with the width of your wheels/tyres rather than their diametre. If you look in the wheel arch there is masses of space goin up. But its actually the sides of the arch that rub, and it does more so when you have more people in the car, cause the springs are more compressed, same as when you go round a corner at high speed, on one side anyway. If you look at your tyres you will probably find that the sidewalls of them are scuffed from the rubbing.

The only way that you can change it is either to have your arches rolled or to change your wheels

I know cause I get it on mine and I have Sports Suspension on my Cooper, but my wheels, even though they have a 40mm offset have a width of 225mm compared to the standard 175, and when full it catches too But will be sorted soon!

[TT_Convert]

Mine are 205 - should technically be OK. The odd thing is, other people are on same size wheels and lowered but don't have a problem. Quite what's different on mine remans something of a mystery...

Pete