Technical Front tyres rubbing on full lock

[PiperataMalc]

Hi all, I am fairly new to my little gem, I trailer her behind my motorhome to use as a runabout and she's perfect. I cant go 100m without a smile or a thumbs up from passers by!

I have an issue with the outer edge of the front tyres rubbing on the rib in the wheel arch on full lock, going forwards and in reverse. I suspect that it's a spring problem, I wondered if I can adjust the ride height easily or do I have to replace the spring? The distance from the rear of the wheel between the wheel and the arch is 4cm, and 2cm for the front. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[the hobbler]

Hi all, I am fairly new to my little gem, I trailer her behind my motorhome to use as a runabout and she's perfect. I cant go 100m without a smile or a thumbs up from passers by!

I have an issue with the outer edge of the front tyres rubbing on the rib in the wheel arch on full lock, going forwards and in reverse. I suspect that it's a spring problem, I wondered if I can adjust the ride height easily or do I have to replace the spring? The distance from the rear of the wheel between the wheel and the arch is 4cm, and 2cm for the front. Any help would be appreciated.

View attachment 451096View attachment 451097View attachment 451095View attachment 451095

What size tyres have you got fitted?

 

[PiperataMalc]

What size tyres have you got fitted?

I have standard tyres fitted, it was the first thing I looked at. They are 125SR12 62S

 

[Ant Knox]

My eyes may deceive me, but the wheel appears to sit quite far forward in the wheel well, do you mean it rubs at the front, or rear of the wheel well? I wonder if there is some excessive play in the front suspension and/or bushes?
I occasionally get slight rubbing on the inner arch, depending on loading, speed and amount of steering lock, even on standard tyres, but it isn't a regular occurence.

 

[PiperataMalc]

My eyes may deceive me, but the wheel appears to sit quite far forward in the wheel well, do you mean it rubs at the front, or rear of the wheel well? I wonder if there is some excessive play in the front suspension and/or bushes?
I occasionally get slight rubbing on the inner arch, depending on loading, speed and amount of steering lock, even on standard tyres, but it isn't a regular occurence.

The wheel sits 2cm at the front of the arch and 4cm from the rear. The outer edge of the tyre rubs on the vertical rib that is in the middle of the rear of arch, only on full lock. The rib can be seen in the photos. I have given the suspension the once over, there doesn't appear to beans play in the bushes, so I suspect that the spring is at fault. I wondered if there is any adjustment to be made.

 

[Ant Knox]

The wheel sits 2cm at the front of the arch and 4cm from the rear. The outer edge of the tyre rubs on the vertical rib that is in the middle of the rear of arch, only on full lock. The rib can be seen in the photos. I have given the suspension the once over, there doesn't appear to beans play in the bushes, so I suspect that the spring is at fault. I wondered if there is any adjustment to be made.

Sounds more like a rolling radius or wheel ofset probem then? I'm not familiar with that wheel style, is it an Abarth replica type?

 

[PiperataMalc]

I've had a look at some photos of wheel arches but I can't determine whether the vertical rib in the middle of the arch protrudes too much causing the rubbing.

How would I correct a rolling radius or wheel offset problem? I have no idea about the wheels, they were on the car when I bought it in March. They are steel wheels.
Could you perhaps show me a photo of your front arch showing this vertical rib please?

 

[fiat500]

Those tyres, not being the regular Pirelli or Michelin may have a more chunky construction.
I think your car may have had some poor repairs as that wheelarch flange looks a little excessive and maybe should be radiused to give a slight curve.
The wheelarch seems a bit out of shape, and the way the light is showing the contours, it may have had a bump from the front at some time, and/or have been replaced; the wing, door and sill certainly have a lot of poorly flattened filler.
The combination of aftermarket wheels and tyres and probably significant metalwork repairs are likely to be the cause of this. Can you live with it until the day surely comes when corrosion shows you the action you need to take?

 

[348azeus]

It may be the photos but looking at the shape of your wheel arch and the shadowing it looks like the front has been push back a little. The front of the wing looks too close to the tyre.

 

[Dougal Cawley]

fit good tyres

125/80 SR 12 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN54

These OE Fiat 500 Nuova tyres are sold in sets for a discount, and are also available fitted to a new Fiat 500 wheel. 125SR12 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN54 Set of 4 off 125 SR12 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN54 1 off Fiat 500 Wheel and Tyre Set of 4 off Fiat 500 wheels & Tyres Set 5 off New Fiat 500...

www.longstonetyres.co.uk

the ones causeing the problem has had some idiot decide writting the word "Classic" on the side wall was a good idea. Unbeleivable isnt it.