Suspension and tire fitment question

ThomAce · Post by **ThomAce** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:23 pm

I have a 2000 neon, all stock for now, i'm looking to order some stuff, will there be a fitment issue if I run these Coilovers http://www.andysautosport.com/dodge/200 ... 27003.html with a set of 215/40/17 tires on 17x7 wheels with 35mm offset?

OB · Post by OB » Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:13 pm

I would imagine that setup might rub the coilover spring, due to the wheel being too wide for an offset that high. I run 215/45/16 (shorter but same width) on 6.5" +40 offset wheels, with BC coilovers (very compact), and the inner edge of the front tires are about a sheet of paper away from the spring on the coilover. My right front tire even rubbed it for awhile, I had to spin the spring to clear it. Made a nice ring in it about 1mm deep. Your setup would put you extremely close to mine, maybe a hair further inward (into the spring). You probably need around a +30 offset or so to run a 7" wheel safely and with some clearance. Zero camber might help the cause, but that would be tough since the KW's don't have camber plates.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:16 am

OB wrote:Zero camber might help the cause, but that would be tough since the KW's don't have camber plates.

The KW's have slotted holes for camber adjustment, so you will be OK there.

I have the KWs (variant 2) and I'm running a 18x7.5 35 offset wheel with 225/40/17 tires. I have no clearance issues at all with the suspension. My quarter panels had to be rolled however.

ThomAce · Post by **ThomAce** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:28 am

OB wrote:I would imagine that setup might rub the coilover spring, due to the wheel being too wide for an offset that high. I run 215/45/16 (shorter but same width) on 6.5" +40 offset wheels, with BC coilovers (very compact), and the inner edge of the front tires are about a sheet of paper away from the spring on the coilover. My right front tire even rubbed it for awhile, I had to spin the spring to clear it. Made a nice ring in it about 1mm deep. Your setup would put you extremely close to mine, maybe a hair further inward (into the spring). You probably need around a +30 offset or so to run a 7" wheel safely and with some clearance. Zero camber might help the cause, but that would be tough since the KW's don't have camber plates.

Danteneon wrote: The KW's have slotted holes for camber adjustment, so you will be OK there.

I have the KWs (variant 2) and I'm running a 18x7.5 35 offset wheel with 225/40/17 tires. I have no clearance issues at all with the suspension. My quarter panels had to be rolled however.

OK, Thanks Guys. I'm used to breaking out the angle grinder, sawzall, and welder to create clearance on my jeeps, is there a sticky or a write up on proper rolling technique?

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:32 am

The only proper rolling technique is to use a fender roller. They are pricey if you have to buy one though.

Any other method (wodden baseball bat, block of wood and a hammer, etc.) will more than likely result in damaged paint.

ThomAce · Post by **ThomAce** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:51 am

Meh, sounds like a trip to the body shop then. I appreciate the replies.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:32 pm

No... there will be no fitment issues. That is a very common tire size and width. You will have plenty of room. I ran that setup with zero issues and currently run Megan coilovers with 17x7.5 wheels with a 35 offset and still have no issues on a 214/45/17 tire. Well, other than the tire wanting to beat up the fender but that's a different story... I need a fender roller.

OB · Post by OB » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:24 pm

Danteneon wrote:
OB wrote:Zero camber might help the cause, but that would be tough since the KW's don't have camber plates.
The KW's have slotted holes for camber adjustment, so you will be OK there.

I have the KWs (variant 2) and I'm running a 18x7.5 35 offset wheel with 225/40/17 tires. I have no clearance issues at all with the suspension. My quarter panels had to be rolled however.

Ah, didn't know the KW's had oblong clevis holes, my BC's have those as well. Infinite adjustability!

It blows my mind that that setup works for you, on paper it shouldn't. I couldn't go a mm wider with my setup, and I would consider my wheel/tire combo very mild. I do have the struts cambered negative at the clevis, which might explain it.

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:35 pm

Sounds right to me. I had maybe 1/4" of clearance on mine with stock replacement struts, 205/40-17s with a 40mm offset. The autocross slicks come awful close to the rear trailing arms though, since they are smaller diameter.