I just had new tires installed and the tech noted that the tire was "almost rubbing" the front struts. He suggested raising the ride hieght. I haven't had a chance to measure for a specific gap. Rears are fine.

Current set up:
M7 coilovers (slammed) with SPC camber plates
Konig Again4 wheels (17x7 with 40mm offset)
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 215/45R17
Alignment is set to stock, but I would like to try up to -2* camber at some point

Questions:
1. What minimum clearance do I need to the strut?
2. Almost rubbing = rubbing during spirited driving?
3. Almost rubbing = no negative camber adjustment?
4. If I need spacers, how do I determine minimum size for up to -2* camber? 5mm? 15mm?

 

1+2. I run very little clearance between the tire and the strut. There has never been any sign of rubbing.

3. When you make a camber adjustment up front, the strut will move along with the wheel/tire. You will have the same amount of strut to tire clearance no matter what camber you're running.

4. You don't need spacers for the camber. If you decide you just need a spacer for additional clearance a 3mm or 5mm should be fine.

 

Most excellent. Thanks, Rally@StanceDesign, that's a big relief. I was not looking forward to trying to find longer lug bolts for those wheels.

 

Have you put your hand or head back there? How close are we talking? Which part of the coilover is it close to? The body, or one of the perches?

 

I'll stick my head under there tonight, but the tech said he couldn't fit a finger in-between. So I'm guesing maximum 5mm clearance and probably less. I'm assuming the perch (locking rings), but again, I won't be certain until this evening.

 

I had the same clearance (about 2 mm), and no problems.

Take the car to a empty parking lot. Weave back and forth as violently as you can. Then all you have to do is look at the back of the tire for a rub mark.

Alan

 

I run M7s (pretty low), and Again4s (18 inchers). I have to run 8mm spacers due to my 13" Wilwoods, but I have never had a problem with the strut. I bet they are really close but it's just rubber on the coil, no potential for failure here. I also run -2deg on camber plates and Rally is right--the wheel and strut tilt together so no worries there. I do get lots of rubbing on the rear fenders...

 

Well, couldn't really get to it so I used a mirror. ~3mm to the base of the strut. Assuming the wheel and strut move as a unit, I don't see how there could be any contact. Just as well, because spacers would likely have caused a problem on the other side with the wheel well trim.