zero wheel clearance, need advice on max deflection

[rwalker]

I've just mounted a set of D-Force ltw5s, 18x9 ET41. The fronts clear my struts by maybe 1mm in stasis (see pics). Unfortunately, under load and deflection, they rub on the struts (nice noise ). Tires are 255/35r18 Toyo Proxes R888s, and have plenty of strut clearance.

So: I'm shopping for spacers, and would like to run the absolute minimum thickness required, to maintain maximum fender clearance.

My question: does anybody have experience with the amount of hub deflection, wheel deflection and strut/knuckle bending I should account for with 18s? I'd love to get away with 3mm H&Rs.

If I use a 3mm spacer, that should give me:

arcsin(3/(9*25.4)) = ~0.75 deg deflection

Sounds like plenty, no? Would love some input.

Another option I've considered is grinding away a bit of the wheel lip. Anybody every try that?

Pics below. I'm running stock Sports Package suspension with M3 control arms aligned to maximum negative camber (camber pins removed), which seems to providing plenty of fender clearance under compression right now. Here are a lot of pics in a movie to show fender clearance under some compression (left rear of car jacked up maybe 18"):

[ModBargains.com]

I would suggest running 3-5mm spacers to create some clearance on the inside. If you ran a 3mm, you wouldn't need to get extended as well.

-Frank

[rwalker]

Hrm. ECS sold me extended lugs for 3mm H&Rs...

[ModBargains.com]

You generally don't need to run extended wheel bolts. As long as you can get 7-8 turns, it's safe.

-Frank

[rwalker]

I got ~6 turns.

[DavidV]

I got ~6 turns.

There's your answer.
Ant that is without a spacer?
So with a spacer you would def. need longer bolts.
For your front tires you probably need to roll your fenders to not rub with a 5mm spacer.

[rwalker]

~6 turns with the 3mm spacer and stock 29mm lug bolts

[rwalker]

Update: running 3mm H&Rs with stock lugs. All clear for aggressive street driving so far.


Current setup: 255/35r18 Toyo R888s on 18x9 ET38 all around. Camber: -1.1* (M3 arms and camber pins removed).


On a dry skidpad (cul de sac), the car still tends to push in steady state. Goosing the throttle sends me wide at first, then the tail comes around slowly. I have a Wavetrac LSD.


Camber plates are on order .