Blavatsky

All of a sudden today my back tire rubbed on some deep turns w/ someone in the backseat. Here is my setup:

18x8.5 22+ running 225/45/18
18x9.5 38+ running 275/40/18

Suspension is stock and (almost certain) is original, w/ about 120k on the car (99 LS400).
Could my back shocks be shot, or maybe I need a fender roll? Now I'm uncertain about lowering (obviously), and worried about tire damage if I can't figure out why this is happening now.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

could be ur struts or springs, im guessing there was rubbing in the rear. i just replaced my old OEM 93 shocks/struts with the KYB gas shocks/struts and i also replaced the oem springs with H&R sport springs that lower the car 1" front and back. so far, no bottoming out and i like the look and smooth feeling it gives me.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

is it rubbing on the lip or on the plastic wheelwell?

Kansas

Your problem is, of course: 18x9.5 38+ running 275/40/18

Wow!

jasonm

iTrader: (5)

Ya pretty wide. Smaller tires might be a good solution, especially if you lower it.

illcelsior

It's your struts. You could try removing the plastic piece on the fender or just remove and roll.

I run 265/35-18 on a 18x10 in the back. No rub on OE suspension. No rub on JIC lowered ~50-60mm.

Of course I am UCF10. so.. ymmv.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

isnt steveski running a 285 rear tire?

illcelsior

275 or 285, yeah..

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

275/40/18 is a huge tire indeed.

Edit: Nm. Thought this was a 1st gen.

chubby

trim or remove the fender trim. or add more negative camber

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

we dont even know if he rolled his fender or not though

chubby

as the title states:

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

hahah, i blame a lack of sleep

Blavatsky

I think it could be....the tires I had on it had some outer wear, a sign of a bad shock/strut....plus, they look rusted as crap after 8 years. The tire size I don't think is the problem. It's almost like the shock/spring bottomed out as the car got body roll from a hard left turn, for example.

I may look at removing that trim...the first time it really made the sound I had a 200 lb + buddy in the back....then I heard it with just myself in the car, so it may be a recent shock / spring issue.

Blavatsky

Well I'm thinking of just getting all new bilstein shocks all around, and putting it on the lowest perch (suggestion in another thread)...should drop .5, and probably fix my issue.

Will I be ok with stock springs, or should I buck up and buy new springs too?

EDIT: Now I'm reading the bilstein's are a rougher ride than I thought...hmmm.
Maybe KYB for a softer ride? Of course, then it's not lowered at all...argh.