Problems after coilover install....

[2543arvin]

Okay, so Im really out of my element when it comes to suspension, so I need some help. I just got a set of Megan Coilovers installed, and then went to Sears to get the car aligned, and its having some problems. The guy at Sears said he couldnt adjust the front camber because it didnt have any more room for adjustment and suggested I take it to a body shop to have the frame "tweaked".

Immediately I was skeptical about the mentioning of having my frame "tweaked", because Ive never heard of any other owner having to mess with their frame to get the front wheels aligned after installing coilovers or even lowering the car with struts/springs.

The other issue with the front is that the inside of the rim is rubbing on something, maybe the control arms, but I checked them out and it showed no signs. I can hear it if I make a right turn at anything over 15 MPH around a corner.
Oh, and just to put it out there, the car is by no means slammed or anything crazy low. I lowered maybe 1.5 inches all around.

So now my questions....

1. Do I have any options on how to get my front end aligned or am I at the mercy of the Sears mechanic?
2. Is the incorrect camber setting possibly the reason for the rubbing on the inside of the wheel? BTW, the wheels are MK4 NA rims with 245s.

Any help or advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[rayall01]

Okay, so Im really out of my element when it comes to suspension, so I need some help. I just got a set of Megan Coilovers installed, and then went to Sears to get the car aligned, and its having some problems. The guy at Sears said he couldnt adjust the front camber because it didnt have any more room for adjustment and suggested I take it to a body shop to have the frame "tweaked".

Immediately I was skeptical about the mentioning of having my frame "tweaked", because Ive never heard of any other owner having to mess with their frame to get the front wheels aligned after installing coilovers or even lowering the car with struts/springs.

The other issue with the front is that the inside of the rim is rubbing on something, maybe the control arms, but I checked them out and it showed no signs. I can hear it if I make a right turn at anything over 15 MPH around a corner.
Oh, and just to put it out there, the car is by no means slammed or anything crazy low. I lowered maybe 1.5 inches all around.

So now my questions....

1. Do I have any options on how to get my front end aligned or am I at the mercy of the Sears mechanic?
2. Is the incorrect camber setting possibly the reason for the rubbing on the inside of the wheel? BTW, the wheels are MK4 NA rims with 245s.

Any help or advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Brandon

Sears? Are you kidding me? Find a local speed shop, see who they recommend. If not, go to a Toyota dealer. As for the rubbing, not likely. You may have the problem I have. My left front splash shield got damaged, and the way it sits now, it rubs the tire, any time I turn hard. Since it's plastic, it won't show up on the tire. By having those wide tires, and lowering it, it's possible you are rubbing the splash shield.

 

[2543arvin]

Sears? Are you kidding me? Find a local speed shop, see who they recommend. If not, go to a Toyota dealer. As for the rubbing, not likely. You may have the problem I have. My left front splash shield got damaged, and the way it sits now, it rubs the tire, any time I turn hard. Since it's plastic, it won't show up on the tire. By having those wide tires, and lowering it, it's possible you are rubbing the splash shield.

I know Sears wasnt the brightest option, but it was Sunday and figured they could do an alignment job, but nope! I know its not the tire rubbing because I can hear the metal and I can see the inside of the wheel where its been shaved.

 

[BorHor]

For places like sears they have to get the car in to spec or else they are not usually allowed to do it. The problem is that you have too much camber and their computers say it is out of spec. What you need to do is tell them to just make it even and make sure the toe is in spec. Or else go to some sort of speed shop and they should be able to do it.

Rubbing on inside of the wheel is going to happen because of the diameter and high offset.. You need to get a 5-8mm spacer and that should fix that.

I probably missed something but let me know if you have any questions.

 

[2543arvin]

For places like sears they have to get the car in to spec or else they are not usually allowed to do it. The problem is that you have too much camber and their computers say it is out of spec. What you need to do is tell them to just make it even and make sure the toe is in spec. Or else go to some sort of speed shop and they should be able to do it.

Rubbing on inside of the wheel is going to happen because of the diameter and high offset.. You need to get a 5-8mm spacer and that should fix that.

I probably missed something but let me know if you have any questions.

Im glad you chimed in, cause I know this is your field of expertise. They told me that the toe was in spec, and the rear camber was good, it was just the fronts' camber that they couldnt adjust.

As far as spacers, what exactly are you talking about, and where can I find them? Are you familiar with my setup and exactly what size I should get?

I appreciate the help BorHor,
Brandon

 

[BorHor]

How off is the front camber? It is possible that that the camber bolts are seized.

For the spacer. The inner barrel of the wheel is rubbing on something. That is common when people run stock MK4 wheels. You should be able to get wheels spacers from some auto shops and speed shops. 5mm should be enough for it not to rub any more.

 

[2543arvin]

How off is the front camber? It is possible that that the camber bolts are seized.

For the spacer. The inner barrel of the wheel is rubbing on something. That is common when people run stock MK4 wheels. You should be able to get wheels spacers from some auto shops and speed shops. 5mm should be enough for it not to rub any more.

I did some searching, and found thesehttp://www.evasivemotorsports.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=EM&Product_Code=TO-50705

Does this seem like a fair price or should I keep looking?

 

[BorHor]

Should work. but I am not too sure on if those studs would work. If you are only going to be using a 5mm you don't really need extended studs. You can try ebay for looking for a 5mm hubcentric spacer. You would want hubcentric so it would sit even, and will prevent vibrations caused by running a spacer.

 

[SideWinderGX]

I'm almost in the same boat as you, except I didn't get it aligned RIGHT after I instealled my Illumina 2's/Eibachs. Now the insides of my brand new tires are bald

Mine rubbed too, the very inside of the rim would rub against the bottom of the strut where the spring rests, but only when I turned the wheel all the way to the left or right. I went the Napa and got the 7/16" spacer (they only have one size, I think that's the thickness they had) and it's fine now.

 

[rayall01]

Sorry I guessed wrong, but I had not heard about the MKIV wheel issue.

 

[jdub]

Sorry I guessed wrong, but I had not heard about the MKIV wheel issue.

Maybe you should stop "guessing"...especially in the Tech section.

 

[2543arvin]

Just wanted to update this thread....I bought some 3/8" wheel spacers and no more grinding on the wheels, so thanks to everyone for their help!

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[rayall01]

Maybe you should stop "guessing"...especially in the Tech section.

The term GUESSED was a poor choice and should not have been used, my bad. I was relating my experience, which seemed to fit his issue. Had I heard about the MKIV wheel issue, I would have been happy to mention it. I know I don't know everything, but if my experiences seem to fit the situation, I'm going to say it.

 

[jdub]

The term GUESSED was a poor choice and should not have been used, my bad. I was relating my experience, which seemed to fit his issue. Had I heard about the MKIV wheel issue, I would have been happy to mention it. I know I don't know everything, but if my experiences seem to fit the situation, I'm going to say it.

Since the OP's problem is solved with the addition of wheel spacers, I'm going to tell you how it is in this section. What is said will be based on fact, the TSRM, or other tech documentation. "I heard", "I think", "my mother's, brother's cousin told me", "I guess" or any other forum myth/hearsay will not be tolerated.

Be careful what you say, how you say it, and be prepared to back it up...otherwise you will be called on it. If the behavior continues, further steps will be taken.

On that note, this thread is closed.