[Kailec]

Hey all,

Having a bit of an issue of tire rub when swapping winter wheels.

Originally car came with:

416 Wheels - 18x8, 34 offset, Pirelli RF tires, 225/45/R18

I swapped these RF tires on to:

437m Replica Wheels - 18x8.5, 35 offset

No tire rub.

Today I took off the entire wheel and tires and put on:

Michelin X-Ice XI3 tires, 225/45/R18 to my 416 wheels

Tire rub when I turn my wheels far enough to the right. Everything seemed fine when I drove off, but as I was turning right I heard loud tire rub noise. I went back to the store and they took a look, but the guys there insisted it's normal and they didn't do anything except change the tires. I feel like this is a dumb question because I thought that was a dumb response, but is this normal? I can't imagine that this is good for my car. Should I be taking it in for an alignment check? What could have caused this difference? Imagine if I had lowered my car...

[floydarogers]

Weird indeed. That size shouldn't rub at all.

Is the fender liner loose?

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Weird indeed. That size shouldn't rub at all.

Is the fender liner loose?

Nope. They showed me where. They also said that the fender liner is a different shape on driver side versus passenger side. The driver side is more curved. The passenger side is straight. Is this normal? I understand it's winter tires so maybe is the thicker tread? In any case is an alignment what I need then?

[COKen]

You can go to TireRack.com and look at the specs for each tire brand. A quick check and it looks like the Michelins have a wider cross section than the Pirelli (maybe). You didn't say which model of Pirelli you have, so you will need to check TireRack to see for sure. Not all tire brands of the same size are the same size.

[7iM3less]

I've never heard of a factory spec car with a tire rubbing the fender liner normal.

You've mounted the correct size tire to a factory rim on factory suspension....I'll be mounting my 18's with the same tires this weekend. I'll let you know if mine rubs. Sounds messed up if you ask me.

You said its when you turn right so is it the back of the tire hitting the liner on the back side closest to the passenger side or is it the driver side where the front of the tire is hitting the fender liner against the front bumper? You've installed an aftermarket bumper, it could be that the liner positionings been altered as a result of the new bumper.

[goj]

Originally Posted by KC328_F30

I've never heard of a factory spec car with a tire rubbing the fender liner normal.

You've mounted the correct size tire to a factory rim on factory suspension....I'll be mounting my 18's with the same tires this weekend. I'll let you know if mine rubs. Sounds messed up if you ask me.

You said its when you turn right so is it the back of the tire hitting the liner on the back side closest to the passenger side or is it the driver side where the front of the tire is hitting the fender liner against the front bumper? You've installed an aftermarket bumper, it could be that the liner positionings been altered as a result of the new bumper.

+1 fake m bumper may be cause here..

Or at least a crappy installation

[metallicpea]

Some tires are a little different, but any 225/45x18 shouldn't rub at all and your wheel seems to be factory correct. You likely have something in the wheel well area that is out of factory tolerance.

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by goj

+1 fake m bumper may be cause here..

Or at least a crappy installation

Hmm thanks guys, I'm taking the car to the shop that did the install on Monday anyways, maybe I'll ask them to inspect that area.

[goj]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Hmm thanks guys, I'm taking the car to the shop that did the install on Monday anyways, maybe I'll ask them to inspect that area.

Keep in mind that if your swapped out tires were worn enough, they may avoid rubbing. The brand new tread being taller may have brought it to light

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by goj

Keep in mind that if your swapped out tires were worn enough, they may avoid rubbing. The brand new tread being taller may have brought it to light

This is a possibility I've considered.

Does anyone know if what the tire shop said made sense? That the wheel well lining is a different shape on the passenger side versus the driver side? It kind of looked like it to me, but would that be because of design or like was suggested, a bad install of the bumper?

[goj]

Originally Posted by Kailec

This is a possibility I've considered.

Does anyone know if what the tire shop said made sense? That the wheel well lining is a different shape on the passenger side versus the driver side? It kind of looked like it to me, but would that be because of design or like was suggested, a bad install of the bumper?

I? can go look on my car and come back to you

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Kailec

Does anyone know if what the tire shop said made sense? That the wheel well lining is a different shape on the passenger side versus the driver side?

Of course, because the car isn't the same on the left and right sides. For example, only the driver's side has a steering column.

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Of course, because the car isn't the same on the left and right sides. For example, only the driver's side has a steering column.

That makes sense from the lining perspective. What I don't get still is why this is happening with same size tires and smaller wheel vs the replica ones. This the area where this is happening according to the tire shop is in the rear side closer to the door rather than the front bumper, so would that still be a factor? At the end of the day is an alignment the only real fix?

[COKen]

Originally Posted by Kailec

That makes sense from the lining perspective. What I don't get still is why this is happening with same size tires and smaller wheel vs the replica ones. This the area where this is happening according to the tire shop is in the rear side closer to the door rather than the front bumper, so would that still be a factor? At the end of the day is an alignment the only real fix?

This is not an alignment issue. As I said before, your new tires appear to have a wider cross section than your old tires. This may or may not be contributing to your issue. It also seems your wheel liner may be defective or deformed which also may or may not be your issue. The wider tires may be rubbing your deformed wheel liner, which your older tires may have just missed.

[chiefneil]

I'm pretty sure something must be going on with the liner as others have mentioned. The xDrive models have taller springs and OP is running standard width tires, so there should be tons of clearance all around. No way any stock tire size on a stock wheel should rub, regardless of minor differences between tire brands.

[Billfitz]

There is a difference in the tread width of the OEM versus new tires, but it's way too slight to explain the rubbing. It wouldn't be alignment per se, but it's possible that the steering travel limiter needs adjusting.

[Kailec]

So I guess a trip to the dealership is required then? Would any of this be covered under CPO warranty?

[7iM3less]

Originally Posted by Kailec

So I guess a trip to the dealership is required then? Would any of this be covered under CPO warranty?

What would be covered under CPO, you don't know what the problem is.

I would go to shop who installed your bumper and see if that is related first.

[COKen]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

There is a difference in the tread width of the OEM versus new tires, but it's way too slight to explain the rubbing. It wouldn't be alignment per se, but it's possible that the steering travel limiter needs adjusting.

I have seen up to a quarter inch in tread width and half inch in cross section width between different brands of tires of the same size. If the new tires are wider by any amount and the wheel well liner is not where it should be, changing the tires could cause rubbing to start.

[7iM3less]

Originally Posted by COKen

I have seen up to a quarter inch in tread width and half inch in cross section width between different brands of tires of the same size. If the new tires are wider by any amount and the wheel well liner is not where it should be, changing the tires could cause rubbing to start.

Yes but there should be more than a 1/4" of tolerance between the tire and the underside of the fender. In order for the liner to hit it would need to be out of place by give or take 3/4"-1" minimum...

I'm not in front of my car but suggest someone turns there wheels to the right and snap a photo of how close the edge of the tire gets to the fender liner. There's usually 1" gap minimum. Springs for the record have nothing to do with this, it'll be wheel offset and wheel/ tire depth.

OP for the sake of trying to make sense of this it would also be helpful if you posted a photo.

[7iM3less]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

There is a difference in the tread width of the OEM versus new tires, but it's way too slight to explain the rubbing. It wouldn't be alignment per se, but it's possible that the steering travel limiter needs adjusting.

I doubt it's alignment because the problem is only with the 416 set up he has. If alignment was off he probably would have had the problem with the reps too.

CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG HIS REPS OFFSET WAS 35 AND THE OEM RIMS ARE 34 SO THE OEM RIMS SIT FURTHER OUT THE FENDER THEREFORE THE TIRE WILL COME CLOSER TO THE FENDER LINER WHEN HE TURNS...?

[geyas]

interesting thread, I too was having the same problem