New Bilstein coilovers, scraping rear right.

[Blau]

Hey all,

I've got a brand new Bilstein PSS B14 suspension on the car. I've adjusted and adjusted again and again. My right rear keeps scraping. It's thrashing the tire at this point. I've double checked the shock and spring, raised that side a full 1/2" higher than the rest of the wheels but I'm still getting a ton of scraping, especially in hard turns.

What am I missing? I know I should do the subframe bushings, but I don't think it's that.

Any help or guidance would be helpful.

Other specs that may be important:
2011 128i
Auto
135k on motor
18x8 Alzor 030 wheels
Fenders are not rolled.
The top of the arch on the back right side is 24.5" off the ground. Front and left side do not scrape at 24" from the ground to the top of the arch.

Peace

[tracer bullet]

Can you tell on the tire where you are scraping? That would be a good start.

There's a chance a strut is already dead or that something else is loose (more likely).

Can you pinpoint a time it does or doesn't happen? Turning certain directions, hitting bumps, etc.?

[Blau]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Can you tell on the tire where you are scraping? That would be a good start.

There's a chance a strut is already dead or that something else is loose (more likely).

Can you pinpoint a time it does or doesn't happen? Turning certain directions, hitting bumps, etc.?

The entire outer surface has evidence of scraping. I'll say it's better when I don't have the full size spare back there, but it still happens.
I double checked everything yesterday and it's all tight.

Obviously it happens on potholes and such, but even then, on the other side none of that happens. I've had it happen turning in both directions, but mostly if the right side of the car is loaded.

This strut idea is a good one. I'll check that next. Thank you

[tracer bullet]

Odd. Probably not the strut but sure, check.

Sounds like the tire is pushed out too far, and the surface of it (meaning - the outside flatter section w/ the lettering and such) is contacting the inside of the fender?

The farther up the tire is pushed, the more it hits - that makes sense at least.

Is it a simple alignment / crazy camber issue? Replacing suspension typically is followed up with alignment. You could try a spirit level or something, even just eyeball it, see if it seems like that tire is leaning way out.

I've changed many suspensions but never actually for a 1-er. Is there a way this car can have an upper mount rotated around, or anything underneath, making it somehow bolted on in a wrong position / "too far out"?

[r0nd3L]

What offset are your wheels? Is it rubbing on the outside? My bet is your wheels have wrong offset for the car.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by r0nd3L

What offset are your wheels? Is it rubbing on the outside? My bet is your wheels have wrong offset for the car.

True, and I overlooked it. Saw the stock wheels in the picture under the name but now see the aftermarket wheels listed. At a glance they may have ET35 for various BMW's i.e. 3series. That's pretty far off for 1 series especially in the rear.

I'd then be surprised they don't both rub. So there may still be a difference side to side left / right like the amount of camber. But, yeah, the wheels are going to be a problem.

[Blau]

Guessing it has to do with alignment. Visually I can see exactly where it is rubbing. It's rubbing on the front 1/4 of the wheel arch.

To the alignment shop... Now to find one that works with my work schedule... Two shops have turned me away because they don't work on aftermarket suspensions. Seems like some lazy bullshit... One of the shops was a "hot rod" shop...

[ShocknAwe]

Did you tighten the bolts at ride height?

Total circumference within spec for your available arch space? Aka wheel width and sidewall profile not too large.

Offset reasonable?

Hard to actually help without full information on your setup. Maybe I missed it. Ride height is not the problem and please don't set your suspension to different heights left to right, massively unsafe.

[Blau]

1/4" - 1/2" is about as much as it moves if there are passengers in the car... But you're right. The ride height is to save the tire until I can get it to the alignment shop. Waiting on a call back from a place.

We'll see if the alignment fixes everything. I love the way the car feels right now. It should only feel better after the alignment and reduced scraping.

[tracer bullet]

Tightening bolts (at least, particular bolts) at ride height's a great idea on it. Even if you think alignment is the issue there's still something there that might need to be taken care of. Primarily anti-roll bar but maybe others.

Also, if it's not obvious, when you do get an alignment be sure the ride heights are even and where you want them. Changing them afterwards will change your alignment. Same for any re-tightening if that needs to be done.

[Blau]

Took the car in for an alignment. Looks like I've got a frozen bolt on the control arm that handles toe. Order new arms and bolts.

Happy to be on a path that will sort this out. Thx to everybody for their advice.