Tyre Scrapeing Wheel Arch

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

Is it common for the rear tyres to occasionaly catch the wheel arch? Occurs over bumbs and hard cornering. Obviously more noticable with passenger.[This message has been edited by Reg (edited 23 September 2001).]

2

No, not the rears!However, my fronts do it when cornering hard, on track days.

3

It’s not unusual that one of the rear tyres rubs against the inside of the wheel arch. It happens to my Exige when driving on the limit (track only), as far as I can tell exclusively on the passenger side.Unless it occurs under gentle driving conditions and you’re annoyed about it, I wouldn’t worry too much.Roland

4

It does seem to be mainly the near side and I would say it happens more than occasionaly. I live on the edge of the north Yorks moors and the roads tend to be up and down with a few definate yumps. It happens when not on the limit and the car has certainly not been airbourne. I am concerned I am going to smash the wing.I am not sure a production car’s tyres should catch the wheel arches. I know. Its a Lotus but come on[This message has been edited by Reg (edited 22 September 2001).]

5

Hi Reg, maybe I shouldn’t admit this is public, but I often get this on the Queen’s Highway when the horns come out and I start pushing a bit [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/blush.gif[/image]. The tyre isn’t actually hitting the wing it’s hitting the wheel arch liner, which is no big, although I agree it’s annoying. Anyway, you don’t need to worry too much just at the moment, do you! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

6

Nope, never had that one, front or rear. Try pushing the wheelarch liner up if it’s loose, it could have just dropped down a little.

7

Thanks Tony Well observed! (not at the moment)However not convinced that the tyre is hitting the inner arch as there are no marks on it. Having said that there are no marks on the body but tyres are definetly contacting with something.Yes it is annoying as I am holding back in case the damned tyre goes grraaaahhhh.Changing the subject a bit.I am missing the grunt of the S4S but apart from the tyre fouling problem this car is fun. Cornering is astounding, however a very dificult car to drive if you have any degree of mechanical sypathy. First you hear every single valve going up and down and then you have the sticky bits rubbing parts they should’nt.

8

quote:I am missing the grunt of the S4S…Reg, you could always supercharge your Exige like David, and then you would have the best bits of the Exige with the grunt of your S4S! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

9

Don’t tell them I let you drive it, or they’ll all want a go !

10

8.50am Tony? Have’nt you heard of that great institution? “A Sunday Morning Hangover”.I enquired about the T.T. coversion but I sustained a head injury…After collapsing when I was told the price. I would love the extra grunt. Is it worth all those beer tockens Mr Administrator?[This message has been edited by Reg (edited 23 September 2001).]

11

I rub on all four corners during track days.If I’m not rubbing, I’m not pushing hard enough… [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]Roy

12

Reg, if there are no scrub marks on the liners or bodywork then there is every likelihood that they are not making contact!!Try the following, push down on the left and right rear corners as if testing the shocks. If you get a scrubbing/groaning noise then something that forms part of the suspension is pleading for a bit of lubrication.

13

Thanks Ken but the sound is unmistakable. rubber traveling at high speed coming into contact with something it should’nt

14

quote:Originally posted by Admin5:Don’t tell them I let you drive it, or they’ll all want a go !I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to admit to that or not David! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] However, seeing as you’ve let the cat out of the bag, I can report that David’s car is very nice! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] It has the sort of go that the Exige cries out for / should always have had. I was particularly impressed with the power delivery, which is very smooth and progressive, and of course there’s no appreciable lag while you wait for the power to come in, in the way that you�d expect from a turbo. However, I suspect that TT have detuned it a little while David is running it in / going on track days because the performance was very good rather that “omygod”, although I did limit myself to 6,000 RPM despite David telling me that I could use 7,000 (I though I’d play safe with David’s new toy!). Accordingly, I suspect there’s a lot more to come, which should be really WOW! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] The only slight downside is a need to do at least 3,000 RPM, especially in traffic, otherwise the car kangaroos in the way that a 190 Exige does when driven below 2,000 RPM in traffic, but that�s not a huge problem. So, thanks very much David for the opportunity to experience your car from the driver’s seat, it was very enlightening and very much appreciated. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]Finally, before you all hassle David for a go, I should point out that I was fully insured to drive David’s car under Pit Lane Garage’s traders� policy, so I don�t have the insurance issues that would present themselves to most people who found themselves in the same situation.

15

I’ve definitely got a hole in the liner rear near-side liner where it was obviously met the tyre on a number of occasions. I’ll snap some pictures next time I have the wheel off. More than a little worrying is the metalic bits that are now becoming exposed behind the liner which the tyre can now make contact with.I wondered where the “yip” had gone!

16

Matt, I too have wore a big hole in the front wheel liners. It look like to me that the design of the liner does’nt allow for wheel travel under hard cornering. the liner is flat at the top rather than continueing the arc.

17

Doug, although all Exiges do this to an extent, I drive mine pretty hard and haven’t come close to wearing a hole in my liner. I’d have the ride height, geo and springs / dampers checked unless you are doing something out of the ordinary that you know is causing the problem.

18

Tony,I took it to the track for the first time and drove it like I stole it. This trackhas a straightaway thats about a mile in length going into a sweeping right turn. At the apex of this turn the car is pushing 120MPH and I’m pulling about 3/4 Gs. The car is us spec track only car and I did nothing to change the set up. At the end of this white knuckle sweeper there’s a 90% turn that I’m coming up to at 100+ MPH.If you go off trackthere are plenty of trees to slow you down.But, back to the setup, I havent had much time/experience with this car to tune it. Got any adviseThanks

19

quote:Originally posted by Doug:Tony,I took it to the track for the first time and drove it like I stole it. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]WRT setup, you are limited in what you can do without the fully adjustable setup of the race car, but some people have softened up the front roll bar and increased the front camber to reduce the understeer and to reduce front tyre shoulder wear under hard use. Other than that, I don�t know that many people have played with their setup other than people who are racing.