MIM alloys very close to front arch when turning, Normal??

[fraser]

Hi,
on my e21 the wheels are et13 7x15 mim alloys with 195/50/15 tyres and when i put slight lock on the wheels (about 180 degree turn of the steering wheel) on The side opposite to the direction of steering (e.g the left wheel when i turn right) the wheels front edge comes very close to the front edge of the arch (like 10mm close) And this seems odd as there is so much clearance to the rear of the front wheel? Is everyones like this or has mine been stuffed, seems funny as there isnt really any way this could occur evenly on both sides if the car had been in an accident... Any help would be much appreciated, I want to lower the car and theres no way it will clear when I lower it so whats the solution?
Thanks,
Fraser

[fraser]

I sound like an idiot reading this back, just basically asking if the wheels always come this close on e21s?

[nas80]

I stuck some 8" alloys on the front with an offset very low (0? i think it was), and with 195/50s and they actually touched the front valance same wheels with a 195/45s didnt touch..

With a 15x7" rim and an ET of 10 with 195/50s it doesnt touch either - thats why im thinking you might want to loosen the bolts behind the sides of bumper and then adjust the front valance a bit?

[fraser]

They dont touch currently, they are just 10mm from the front arch/valance on the small amount of lock, so I wont get away with lowering it! Just wondering if everyone sees that the wheels are clearly quite far forward in the arch on the front of their e21

[fraser]

Thanks Will have a play with the valance though

[nas80]

Yea you can lower it .. wont make a diff. In fact it will probably will help.

[fraser]

Really, its so close though, when i finally work out how to get photobucket to upload photos and get them on here I will show you. Matt said he knew you, it was his 323i auto i bought so you probably know the car

[fraser]

How would lowering help by the way?

[nas80]

when you lower the front down the wheel sits in a wider area within the arch its pretty hard to explain - just do it lol

if you go hunting the forum for pics of other e21's with stock suspension and mims - they all do that very close to the front of the arch thing.

[e21-Mark]

Always worth getting the tracking checked & adjusted on your car too.

[fraser]

I understand now, its because the shocks are raked backwards so when its lowered the wheel will effectively be pulled back and up into the arch by the shorter damper and spring assembly. Goo to know theyre all like this, tracking and wheel alignment definitely needs doing, another job for after pay day!