RE71RS in 215/45r16 rubbing?

[foodtruck]

It's been slowly progressing for a while but I finally did it, I rubbed a hole in my front driver's side wheel well liner where it has that small ledge. Happens under full or close to full lock and it looks like the slant of the the slightly stretched OEM fit was instrumental to clearing it under full corner load and anything wider than that doesn't quite. Happened with Meisters, B14s, and I'm pretty sure with OEM shocks/springs as well. Passenger side has some marks as well but not nearly as bad (I guess because nobody is sitting on that side?)

Anyone else had the same happen?

 

[M-Sport fan]

I am kind of surprised, (especially if your suspension is not 'slammed') since the RE71Rs have one of the narrowest tread widths of any of the 200 TW stickies, in any given size.

 

[SteveS]

The Fiesta was designed for 185s in pedestrian form. 205 is pretty much the limit for worry-tree fitment. It's the disadvantage the FiST carries into autocross.

 

[M-Sport fan]

You can put a 215/40-17 on a 42ET 17x8 under them without rubbing at all, ever, at least at factory ride height, or not lowered more than 0.25"- 0.5".

Since a 215/45-16 is at least a slight bit shorter than the above setup (depending on tire chosen), there is no way it should ever rub, in any way shape or form at factory ride height, unless one is using a <ET35, 16x8 with an exceptionally wide tread width tire (like a Nankang NS-2R, or the like, in that 215/45-16 size).

 

[Dialcaliper]

I had 215/45R16’s first BFG Rivals, then the same RE71RS you’re running, with a variety of spring setups (stock, “rally” and coilovers) and haven’t had any rubbing issues. I occasionally have issues with my 195/55R16 snow tires, but that generally occurs when I have mud buildup behind the fender liners in the rear where my mudflaps are installed, which pushes them forward toward the tire. Once I clean that out, no issues. I do have stiffer sway bars both front and rear though, so that helps a bit

Check that your fender liners are properly attached and no clips have fallen out. Also check the tab where the fender and the front bumper cover attach as that can sometimes be a rub point that needs to be cut back.

 

[foodtruck]

Interesting, okay.... Just to be clear, they haven't ever rubbed on the street, only at autocross when taking very sharp corners.

All clips seem to be in place... Sorry for the crap picture, but you can see where the spot is there. Its vaguely concave in shape so it's definitely made by the edge of the tire as it sweeps the radius during the turn. Doesn't _look_ like the liner is sagging or anything...

 

[kevinatfms]

What wheel are you on?

 

[foodtruck]

What wheel are you on?

Enkei J10, it's 7" wide

 

[ronmcdon]

Enkei J10, it's 7" wide

what's the wheel offset?

Ive had 225/45/16 dunlop z3 (now discontinued) 200tw tires on enkei 16x8 +38, meister coilovers, close to stock ride height minimal rubbing.

 

[foodtruck]

That wheel is +42. I would be OK with liner rubbing since its possible to trim that bump that keeps contacting but the main issue is fender rubbing. I'm afraid to wear through paint and start getting rust.

The problem is really just autocross; I think if I was doing track days where turns are much less sharp, I would not be having this issue. On the other hand our current autocross site was fit into an old kart track and so there are a couple of hairpins where I have to dive into the corner and use full lock.

I've put on a new set of REs but in 205/45R16s today and they're MUCH smaller, visually. I don't have measurements to back it up but looks much more than you'd imagine 10mm of width shaved off would look like. Next auto-x event coming up in Aug, and I'm pretty sure nothing will rub now.

FWIW, a friend with stock 205/40R17 but also with "square" tire profile (I _think_ they were R888?s) also experienced slight rubbing on liner and a touch on the fender in the same spots as I did. He's running Koni yellows w/ Swift Rs.

meister coilovers,

I was running Meisters when I realized tires are rubbing and I thought they were to blame, however on second thought the amount of rub that was already there indicated that this started some time before I put them on. This makes sense; if they feature same bumpstop length as OEM, then the reduced ride height doesn't really matter; they will still bottom up on bump stops, just sooner. While I'm not sure Meisters do, the B14s I'm running now _do_ explicitly have same bumpstop length (per spec sheet), so the only possible reason for rubbing is the oversized tire / offset.