front tires rub when turning

[karfer67]

this is driving me nuts and wondering what i can do to change this. when i turn to go into a parking lot the tires always scrape. i did notice the other day that the passenger side is lower than the driverside which i want to equal out. it is only the fronts that rub and the tires are 145's. would swaping to 135's make a big difference? also the wheels i have are empi 8 spokes. not sure how much the front has been lowered looks like two clicks to me but as i said the passenger side is lower by about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.
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aircooled for life (1972 squareback cal look)

[Air-Cooled Head]

I'm down 2 in front w/ 165's & I get the same. My thoughts:

135's may help a little, but I think it's the wheels. Personally, I don't like 135's but that's just me. I think the 8 spokes push the wheel outwards.
Do a search on "backspacing" and you'll find lots of discussion about wheels.

I'd bet the "leaning" is due to the car resting on the lower bumpstops. They will disintergrate. Probably one side of yours already has.
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Everything known to man has been written.
Readers are Leaders!

[karfer67]

thanks aircooled but i got a ruler out today and found that the driverside rear is almost 3/4 of an inch higher than the other rear. the fronts were only about 1/4 off so that leads me to believe that if i drop that left rear a tick more it will all even out. as for the tires boy i don't know how you do it with 165 tires. i am running 145s and STILL get some rubbing.
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aircooled for life (1972 squareback cal look)

[[email protected]]

where is it rubbing?
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62 Notch Pearl white
62 Notch Anthacite
62 Notch Sunroof colour not decided
T25 First Year Deisel
95 T4 Bus LWB
75 Golf cl

[VEEDUBACE]

man, i lowered the front of my 64 notch 2clicks, and i can't even turn my steering wheel at all. i'm running empi 8's w/ 165s. tires rub all over the fenders. i just got some 135s, have to put them on still, i'll keep you posted if they help. forgot to mention that i am running 4lug w/ disc brakes up front.
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66 notchback-hoodride
2002 S-10 Xtreme fully custom daily driver

[rustyfastback]

I lowered my '65 square 3 outer splines up front, cut the bump stops off. I am running 165's with the stock type 3 wide 5 rims & i get a lot of tire rub. This is a project & I do not drive it much yet. I am going with 135's up front. I think the 8 spokes have an offset for a bug (outward towards the fender) this may be part of the problem. Pics of my '65 can be seen in the gallery just search for photos from rustyfastback.

[Mr. Bubblehead]

I'm down one spline running 205's (yeah I know that's fucking wide) with no rub, except ever so slightly on the inner fenders, but they rubbed before I lowered it.
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OGST
Samba Member #4862

[localboy]

VERT similiar thread...in fact too similiar. Same problem, same wheels.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=107726
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One man's "patina" is another man's cancer...

Black '65 Resto-Custom S Notch 2110 cc powered
original paint Pearl White '66 Westy SO-42
Allstate single-wheel trailer project

[raru]

it's the wheels... i got 145's on stock tires and 2 clicks lowered up front and have no problems... and i got a fat ass too.
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Raul
80 Caddy (Gas)
81 Caddy (Diesel)
95 Jetta
98 323is

[Iozzio]

He's right it is the wheels, those Empi 8's have a huge offset that pushes the wheel to the outside towards the fender. If you were to try a stock steel rim or a Porsche 2 liter wheel it would be alot better.