Suspension Suggestions!
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Suspension Suggestions!
Alright, so this Canadian snow finally melted, and I just put my summer rims/tires on about an hour ago. The summers are on a 17x8 rim with a 38 offset, and the tire profile is 215/45/ZR17 91Y. They are BF Goodrich GE-Force tires (excellent tires by the way)
Now, my problem with these tires are that when I hit a bump or dip in the road, I get tire rub. I don't rub at all when just driving carefully on flat pavement. Before any of you just respond with a "just drive carefully and avoid the bumps". remember, I am from Northern Ontario (about 16 hours north of Toronto), and the roads are absolutely terrible.
In the front, I have about a 4.5 finger gap between the fender and tire, and in the back I have roughly a 2.5 finger gap. I am on all stock suspension.
I was thinking of lowering the car a little, and getting a stiffer set up. Would this fix my tire rub? What parts would you guys suggest? Is there anyone else here running this profile tire on their 96-2000 LX?
Any help/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Now, my problem with these tires are that when I hit a bump or dip in the road, I get tire rub. I don't rub at all when just driving carefully on flat pavement. Before any of you just respond with a "just drive carefully and avoid the bumps". remember, I am from Northern Ontario (about 16 hours north of Toronto), and the roads are absolutely terrible.
In the front, I have about a 4.5 finger gap between the fender and tire, and in the back I have roughly a 2.5 finger gap. I am on all stock suspension.
I was thinking of lowering the car a little, and getting a stiffer set up. Would this fix my tire rub? What parts would you guys suggest? Is there anyone else here running this profile tire on their 96-2000 LX?
Any help/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Last edited by burgoyne; May 17, 2013 at 01:34 PM.
Re: Suspension Suggestions!
Im running coilover setup and it is definetaly stiffer. I dont have near the gap you do and I still rub. I dont know if lowering is a good idea or not. I have maybe 2 or 3 finger gap and I barely scrape but Im only running 205/40/r16 but Mine have a wider stance on my rims than should be. I live in Arkansas and we have pretty crappy roads too. I had my car lowered all the way down for my stock rims but my aftermarket rims wont allow this. So I raised it about 2 or 3 inches but I also had to clear my turbo intercooler piping since it was installed at the same time which also caused clearance issues with my car.
Re: Suspension Suggestions!
The more camber is true but I have full race suspension so that only would wear my tires out faster and since I turbo I don't need any help wearing tires but that is possible for him
Or roll your fender Wells.
Or roll your fender Wells.
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Re: Suspension Suggestions!
I thought rolling your fenders just created more space for your tires to fit? I already have enough room (2.5 fingers rear, and 4.5 front).
should I pick up a front and rear camber kit?
What are decent fair priced shocks/ coil overs I should look into?
should I pick up a front and rear camber kit?
What are decent fair priced shocks/ coil overs I should look into?
Re: Suspension Suggestions!
Well rolling your fenders would clear up some space on the inside of the wheel well depending on where your tires are hitting that may fix the problem.
A good set of coilovers is going to cost you a good penny. The ebay ones work for some people but generally wear out the shocks. I would tell you to spend the extra dime if you decide to go with coilovers. Your car will thank you. I spent about 600 on my set and they are awesome.
A good set of coilovers is going to cost you a good penny. The ebay ones work for some people but generally wear out the shocks. I would tell you to spend the extra dime if you decide to go with coilovers. Your car will thank you. I spent about 600 on my set and they are awesome.
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Re: Suspension Suggestions!
rolling fenders does not move them up, they are moving outwards.
17" maybe too big for the 96?
96 also uses double wishbone, camber kits for them? they already gain neg camber naturally by moving up or down.
have you lifted car and removed wheels to check where they actually rubbing?!? that would change the game quite a lot.
17" maybe too big for the 96?
96 also uses double wishbone, camber kits for them? they already gain neg camber naturally by moving up or down.
have you lifted car and removed wheels to check where they actually rubbing?!? that would change the game quite a lot.
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Re: Suspension Suggestions!
I am lifting the car tonight for some exhaust work, I'll check where they are rubbing then!
I was thinking about doing a mini-me swap with a stage 1 cam in the next month or so.. But I think I am just going to take that money and buy struts/ coilovers. The mini-me and cam can wait a little bit
I will also be picking up a tie bar, lower control arms, sway bars, and front/rear camber kits.
Also, if anyone was wondering about the pics, I am going to be doing some spring cleaning/waxing on Friday, so I will have pictures for you then!!
I was thinking about doing a mini-me swap with a stage 1 cam in the next month or so.. But I think I am just going to take that money and buy struts/ coilovers. The mini-me and cam can wait a little bit

I will also be picking up a tie bar, lower control arms, sway bars, and front/rear camber kits.
Also, if anyone was wondering about the pics, I am going to be doing some spring cleaning/waxing on Friday, so I will have pictures for you then!!
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Re: Suspension Suggestions!
Also, does anyone know what places rent fender rollers? Or even roll fenders for you? I am located in Ontario, so Canadian places are recommended
Re: Suspension Suggestions!
Basically, I bet 90% of your rubbing issue is all on your tire size. 17x8s are big wheels for 6th gen Civics.....especially with a 45 series tire. My older brother is running 17x8s on his Accord, with a 215/45. He has no rubbing issues, but he does have his fenders rolled.
Before you do anything, you need to find out where it is rubbing. Front or rear? Inner or outer side of the wheels?
Lowering the car will not necessarily stop the rubbing. It actually may increase it, because the wheel will be closer to the fender.
Most likely, the solution to your problem will be to first roll your fenders. A decent shop will cost around $30 per fender. This will give you more clearance on the outer edge of the wheels, so less rubbing there. Next, you should downsize the tires to a 215/40, or maybe even a 205/40. These narrower tires will vastly decrease the rubbing.
By doing this, you should eliminate most of the rubbing. And, when you lower the car, you will have extra clearance.
Before you do anything, you need to find out where it is rubbing. Front or rear? Inner or outer side of the wheels?
Lowering the car will not necessarily stop the rubbing. It actually may increase it, because the wheel will be closer to the fender.
Most likely, the solution to your problem will be to first roll your fenders. A decent shop will cost around $30 per fender. This will give you more clearance on the outer edge of the wheels, so less rubbing there. Next, you should downsize the tires to a 215/40, or maybe even a 205/40. These narrower tires will vastly decrease the rubbing.
By doing this, you should eliminate most of the rubbing. And, when you lower the car, you will have extra clearance.
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Re: Suspension Suggestions!
The rubbing is on the back, outer side of the tire. So I'm guessing getting my fenders rolled will fix (most, if not all) the rubbing?
Should I get all 4 four fenders rolled, or just the two rear ones?
Should I get all 4 four fenders rolled, or just the two rear ones?
Re: Suspension Suggestions!
You might as well get all four done is one shot....especially if you plan on lowering the car. The last thing you want is to hit a bump while turning and have the front tires catch the inner lip of the front fenders......you can pretty much say goodbye to them then. Better safe than sorry.
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Re: Suspension Suggestions!
Well, if the fender rolling works to eliminate the rub, I won't be lowering it. The only reason I was going to lower, was so that the ride would stiffer, thus eliminating any rub.
On payday, I'll be getting the back fenders rolled. Just one question, if I roll the fenders, will I have to remove the fender liners?
On payday, I'll be getting the back fenders rolled. Just one question, if I roll the fenders, will I have to remove the fender liners?
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Re: Suspension Suggestions!
I've been looking for a somewhat stiff set of struts, and have heard Skunk2's are pretty stiff. Has anybody here used them?
Will I be able to use my OEM springs?
Has anyone ever came across a set of aftermarket springs that were the same length as factory ones?
Will I be able to use my OEM springs?
Has anyone ever came across a set of aftermarket springs that were the same length as factory ones?
Re: Suspension Suggestions!
Id stay away from Skunk2 suspension.....their engine parts are good, but their suspension products have some issues. My friend's S2 shocks blew within 6 months.
I'd look into Koni Yellow, Tokico Illumina, and KYB AGX. I have Koni's, and they are hands down the best shocks I've rode on. All three of those shocks are damping adjustable, so you can adjust the stiffness to your liking.
I'd look into Koni Yellow, Tokico Illumina, and KYB AGX. I have Koni's, and they are hands down the best shocks I've rode on. All three of those shocks are damping adjustable, so you can adjust the stiffness to your liking.
Re: Suspension Suggestions!
Id stay away from Skunk2 suspension.....their engine parts are good, but their suspension products have some issues. My friend's S2 shocks blew within 6 months.
I'd look into Koni Yellow, Tokico Illumina, and KYB AGX. I have Koni's, and they are hands down the best shocks I've rode on. All three of those shocks are damping adjustable, so you can adjust the stiffness to your liking.
I'd look into Koni Yellow, Tokico Illumina, and KYB AGX. I have Koni's, and they are hands down the best shocks I've rode on. All three of those shocks are damping adjustable, so you can adjust the stiffness to your liking.
stay away from s2 and blox. Same product and its shitty.
Best is koni yellow.
but I'll also say F&F
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