Sc400Tuner

I have a 1992 Lexus Sc400, I just got a new set of rims. 18x8.5/18x9.5 with 245x40x18/275x35x18. Well I did my research before I bought these, and this seems like an acceptable Size based on what other people have used without problems. But mine rub the inside of my fender wells when I hit a bumps.

My car still has the 1992 stock suspension(not for much longer, trust me) could it be that the suspension has just compacted over time, and replacing those will raise the car back up, and eliminate the problem? Because this brings me to my next concern. That if I do buy aftermarket shocks/springs, most those kits lower the car, and then I would be really screwed. My original idea was to just bang that lip down with a body hammer, but I decided that probably wasn't the best idea. What are your thoughts on this? I have attached some pictures for reference, thank you for your time.

Vegassc400

I had those rims in the same size on my last SC and had the rubbing problem as well. Offset was all wrong. I had a shop roll the fenders and the rubbing stopped.

howiedoit

iTrader: (9)

yeah, have a shop roll or trim down the fenders. it'll solve your problems.

Brandon@TR

I suggest rolling the fenders as well. Curious though, did those rub in the front and rear or just in the rear?

Sc400Tuner

yeah they rub in just the rear, thanks for the suggestions guys. Rolling the fenders lips was my first idea as well, but I thought maybe I had some other problem that was causing the rubbing. I attached another photo from a different angle, Getting rid of the down angle on that lip should allow my wheels to clear I think. Im going to get that done TODAY, its really anoying.

AutoCoutureSC

iTrader: (8)

i'd rather get it shaved rather than rolled....

SoCalSC4

Most Lexus cars have a rear fender arch 'trim strip' which is attached to the inner diameter of the fender arch by four phillips-head screws. In my experience, if the trim is removed you will gain about 1/8" of additional room for the tire. Have you tried removing this trim? It looks like I can still see it in the photo...

Also, what tires are those? Falken? Perhaps they run a bit on the wider and taller side, compared to other tire brands of the same size. So, really, the tires are rubbing, not the wheels. Right?

Sc400Tuner

Yeah defiantly the tire, the outer edge of the tire chafes the inner edge of the lip, yeah the plastic strip is still on there. I talked to a guy today who does a lot of supras, he said he has this problem a lot. What he does is gets a wooden baseball bat, wedges it in between the tire, and the fender well at an angle, then SLOWLY backs the car up, he says it rolls the inner edge up nicely, and doesn't chip the paint or anything. I'm going to give that a try tonight.

Dominik

SC400Tuner, that sounds very dangerous and could result in buckled guards/cracked paint etc. Take it to a tyre shop and get them to roll the guards for you. They have a special tool that does it in a much more controlled manner. And they heat the area up to prevent the paint cracking. Sure it may cost up to $50 a guard, but how much would it cost to fix a buckled guard? Its a Lexus, not a honda!

And with the tyre shop you usually get some kind of guarantee it will work out good!

Sc400Tuner

I just did the baseball bat thing, worked perfect, problem solved. The collision repair shop I own does the body work for the lexus dealer down here, so I would have given myself a discount on paintwork if I had messed it up. But thanks for all the suggestions guys.

Bryan858

iTrader: (1)

I've got the same issues... I have a +33 offset in the rear tires are rubbing the edge of the black plastic lining... Can you post some pics and more details of how you did it? I am assuming you raised the car first with a jack then fit the baseball bat between the tire and fender. So after that you just pushed the bat down toward the ground right? Please let me know... Thanks buddy... Bryan