I recently had IE fixed camber plates installed along with Koni FSDs. I just pulled my wheels off and found some paint rubbed off from the front struts. Any ideas?

 

What size wheels and tires are you running?

My first impression is that it probably happened during install.

Edit, actually after a 2nd look, I wonder if the brake line is rubbing the strut.

 

I can't figure what would rub the strut in that area. My belief, as well, is that this happened during the installation.

 

looks like tire rub. but that far down on the strut??

 

This is definitely damage from the install.

 

Marks from a vise?

 

Thanks for the replies! I've had some time to take a better look and the missing paint must have come during installation as there is plenty of clearance (1-2 inches). Also, there was no wear on the inside tires.

 

Greg,

If you want to be sure, it might be a good idea to get some tape (like duct) and putting a small piece over the are that is rubbed. Then you can drive for a little bit and check to make fure that nothing is really rubbing as you would see wear on the tape. Just a little test that does work.

 

I didn't think of tape, but I actually thought of using a bit of touch-up paint to cover the bare metal. If this did happen during installation, is it customary that they get manhandled?

 

No, but they could have dropped the strut while getting it in position.

 

+1 (on the brake line rubbing the strut where the paint has been rubbed off.) Try some electricians tape (black pvc stuff) over the rubbed area.

 

They shouldn't be manhandled like that, but it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. This is part of the reason I usually, begrudgingly, do my own work - most techs at most shops aren't working on the car like they own it.

 

put some white chalk on the rub mark, go for a drive, pull the wheel off, and see if the chalk transferred to anything that may be rubbing there.

 

^^ i was going to offer baby powder or flour.

i use to keep a baggie of flour in the garage when i needed to do rubbage
checks on stb's, etc. but it looked too cocaine-ish so i tossed it.

i just go to the kitchen each time. lol

for the scraped area, i too would recommend e-tape or even clear
vinyl packing tape (thick ones).

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I put some e-tape on there and will check back in a few days, but I don't expect to find any rubbing. Here's a pic of the clearance with the wheel (16X7, 45 offset) back on:

 

Here are two more pictures, now from the bottom of the front struts showing some more missing paint--apparently from the installation.

 

are the FSD's fitment that tight? or just a careless install?