Clearance From Inside Of Tyre To Suspension

[tom_g]

I have a set of 17x8 +35 Enkei WTEs with 235/45 RE540s that I bought a while ago for my R32 gtst. I know of a couple other people who have run this size and offset rim on r32s so didnt expect to have any trouble fitting them.

When I initially fitted them I thought the inside of the tyre was hitting the front suspension, so I took them off and they have been sitting in the corner of the garage ever since. Over the weekend I put them back on to have a closer look and found that they don't actually hit anything, but are extremely close to hitting.

The first 2 pics below show the clearance when the wheel is straight. Theres about 10mm clearance which I dont think will cause any problems.

The next 2 pics show the front of the wheel turned away from the car. The clearance is the same or possible a bit more than when the wheel is straight, so that shouldnt be a problem.

The problem is when the front of the wheel is turned towards the car. As the next 3 pics show, the clearance gets down to 2-3mm. The clearance will only be this low at full lock, and im unlikely to hit full lock under normal driving conditions, but should the wheel be that close.

I was looking at using some small spacers, but after reading a bit about slip-on spacers i'd rather not use them, and the smallest bolt-on spacers i've seen are 15mm which i think will push the wheels out to far.

So my question is, do I need more clearance & if so how can I get it. Narrower or lower profile tyres would give a bit more clearance.

[Roy]

Id say they are a little too close. But thinkign about how fast you will be goign when you have full lock on, they tyre wont be distorting.

As long as the rim clears, of they tyre rubs a smidgen on ful lock then id say its no biggie...but next time round be sure to grab lower profile tyres or perhaps 225 on the front

[tom_g]

Id say they are a little too close. But thinkign about how fast you will be goign when you have full lock on, they tyre wont be distorting.

As long as the rim clears, of they tyre rubs a smidgen on ful lock then id say its no biggie...but next time round be sure to grab lower profile tyres or perhaps 225 on the front

Would tyre distortion be a problem at the top of the tyre? I was thinking about this last night and figured the tyre would only be distorted around the area in contact with the road (the bottom of the tyre).

[Roy]

...LOL...thats why you get paid the big dollars...that makes even more sense

[Ronin 09]

nice one roy