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srexob715
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2012
Posts: 5
Location: Augusta, GA
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 Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:27 pm Post subject: Someone with Maxx struts and 17s, plz help |
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I have a 72 Super and just installed the Topline Maxx struts with 17" Porsche rims(205x50x17) and the tires scrub the fender with the slightest uneven surface. Moderate braking even causes scrubbing. Car was lowered 2.5in due to that being the lowest setting on the struts.
It just doesn't make sense. Why would the lowest setting be 2.5in? What if I only wanted to lower my car 1in? I don't want to add wider fenders because the paint is decent and that's at least another $600+ not including labor.
So would a 205x40 tire work? What about a 195x50 or 195x40 tire? Can I get a strut spacer to give me another inch? I just don't know what to do and figured I would try here before I have to go back to 15s. Please tell me what you did to keep the tires from scrubbing.
Thanks in advance. |
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beetlenut
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 2983
Location: RI
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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Did you talk with Jon at Topline about tire sizes before you put it all together? Are your 17's at least a 55 offset? I have the tire sizes written down at work, but I thought Jon said a 40 up front, with a 1/2 inch wheel spacer and a 50 in the rear. I'm also sure he said a 3 inch drop would work with the Maxx struts and 55 offset up front.
_________________
scrapyards are for quitters
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| Wetstuff wrote: |
| ... I spend more time shaking it than directing it?! I get a pretty decent blast for 8sec. then have to shake it again. |
- Words to live by right there!
My 74 Super rebuild thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6507104#6507104 |
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Joel
Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2006
Posts: 11099
Location: NSW Australia
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: Someone with Maxx struts and 17s, plz help |
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| srexob715 wrote: |
It just doesn't make sense. Why would the lowest setting be 2.5in? |
Somethings not right, Maxx struts on the lowest setting is 5" drop from stock height and the highest is about 2" lower than stock.
I've had mine on the lowest setting once and it was damn near on the ground.
I tried 205/50 17s on the front of mine and they are too much tyre and rub a lot plus it looked like a monster truck.
I've got 205/45 on there now which is perfect but 215/40 fit OK too
Ride is horrible on 205/40, may as well have fanbelts or rubber bands on there, they just don't have enough sidewall.
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Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle |
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srexob715
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2012
Posts: 5
Location: Augusta, GA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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I talked to Jon, but don't remember him mentioning tire sizes....only that the wheels need to be offset 55, which they are.
I installed boxster twist rims, 17x7 front and back.
Here is a pic: hope I did it correctly
[/img]
It looks like I have space from the picture, but you can barely get your hand between fender and tire. Had a passenger last night and we smelled rubber all the way home. When I got home, I have a nice circumferential divet going all the way around the tire now |
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Joel
Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2006
Posts: 11099
Location: NSW Australia
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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Et55 is perfect for later 2 bolt supers but too much offset for 3 bolt, you want either et40 or a 15mm spacer.
_________________
Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle |
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srexob715
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2012
Posts: 5
Location: Augusta, GA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: Someone with Maxx struts and 17s, plz help |
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| Joel wrote: |
| srexob715 wrote: |
It just doesn't make sense. Why would the lowest setting be 2.5in? |
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I dont think I spoke correctly. My fault. What I mean by lowest setting is that its the minimum the car will be lowered with the maximum being around 5in.
I guess I was just thinking that these struts would go from "not lowered at all" to a maximum of 5in. But it seems they go from 2.5in of lowering to a maximum of 5in.
So, if I can't go less than 2.5in, then my only option is to decrease tire size. I need about .5 to 1in of space..........I think. Not really sure until I drive it, but was hoping someone could give me some specifics on what they did. |
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beetlenut
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 2983
Location: RI
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Joel wrote: |
| Et55 is perfect for later 2 bolt supers but too much offset for 3 bolt, you want either et40 or a 15mm spacer. |
Ok, that makes sense. I have a 74 two bolt super and that's what Jon told me when I talked with him. So the three bolt's have a wider track? I thought it was the other way around? So does that mean the 40 et would tuck the tire further inboard under the fender?
_________________
scrapyards are for quitters
---------------------------------------
| Wetstuff wrote: |
| ... I spend more time shaking it than directing it?! I get a pretty decent blast for 8sec. then have to shake it again. |
- Words to live by right there!
My 74 Super rebuild thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6507104#6507104 |
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Joel
Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2006
Posts: 11099
Location: NSW Australia
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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| beetlenut wrote: |
Ok, that makes sense. I have a 74 two bolt super and that's what Jon told me when I talked with him. So the three bolt's have a wider track? I thought it was the other way around? So does that mean the 40 et would tuck the tire further inboard under the fender? |
Other way around, 2 bolt is wider and the more positive offset tucks it further under the fender.
| srexob715 wrote: |
| Joel wrote: |
| srexob715 wrote: |
It just doesn't make sense. Why would the lowest setting be 2.5in? |
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I dont think I spoke correctly. My fault. What I mean by lowest setting is that its the minimum the car will be lowered with the maximum being around 5in.
I guess I was just thinking that these struts would go from "not lowered at all" to a maximum of 5in. But it seems they go from 2.5in of lowering to a maximum of 5in.
So, if I can't go less than 2.5in, then my only option is to decrease tire size. I need about .5 to 1in of space..........I think. Not really sure until I drive it, but was hoping someone could give me some specifics on what they did. |
I'm with you now, the reason that happens is the Maxx struts and all adjustable struts for that matter use mk1 inserts which are shorter than stock super inserts.
I also found the red maxx springs are way too soft, once I Changed to heavier springs the ride height was higher, ride improved dramatically too.
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Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle |
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littlebuggie
Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2004
Posts: 698
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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I have a 73 with a 3 bolt front end. Top line maxx struts, I have them at the highest setting on the "adjusting" collar. Any other setting was too low. I have 17x7 twist all around. 1/2" wheel spacers all around. 4 lug drums redrilled and studded to porsche 5 lug. Any lower in the front the tire rubbed the fender lip. I have to use 1/2" wheel spacers to get the wheel off the coil over.
Yes that's a radiator upfront....
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Subi swaps welcome! |
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oasis
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002
Posts: 2168
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:37 am Post subject: |
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One other possible consideration -- when I first went with MaXX struts on my '71 Super, I had a slight rub on just one fender. I checked everything extra carefully -- especially if it had been in an accident (which I checked pre-purchased, but this event made me paranoid).
It turned out one of my fenders, although "stock," was an aftermarket replacement from some unknown origin. It differed by just enough that it caused some fender fouling.
I changed the front tire size slightly (both sides  ) to accommodate. My plan was to eventually find a pristine pair of front fenders so that would match but my Bug met its demise before I could do that.
At any rate, both of your fenders could be replacements and off just by a fraction from being "really" stock.
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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