Wheel Sticks Out
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Wheel Sticks Out
Some information about the vehicle first, then the question.
Vehicle: 2000 FRC
Mileage: 67,000
Wheels: TSW Interlagos 18 x 9 front 19 x 10.5 rear purchased from DOCZ- 1st Rate Corvette Parts & Acc. with correct C5 offsets.
Tires: Nitto INVO 265/35/18 front 305/30/19 rear
Alignment: OEM specifications 2 months ago.
Suspension: PFADT coilovers (problem existed before installing the coilovers)
The problem I am having is that the front driver side wheel and tire stick out about .25" further than the passenger side. The passenger side is just a little past flush with the fender. I have triple checked the stamped wheel size on the wheel. I've tried swapping the front wheels side to side and the front driver side still sticks out further than the passenger side. All of the suspension bushings appear to be in good shape. I just installed the PFADT coilovers so I took a close look while I was in there.
Can anyone guide me toward other areas to check? See picture below. Thanks
Vehicle: 2000 FRC
Mileage: 67,000
Wheels: TSW Interlagos 18 x 9 front 19 x 10.5 rear purchased from DOCZ- 1st Rate Corvette Parts & Acc. with correct C5 offsets.
Tires: Nitto INVO 265/35/18 front 305/30/19 rear
Alignment: OEM specifications 2 months ago.
Suspension: PFADT coilovers (problem existed before installing the coilovers)
The problem I am having is that the front driver side wheel and tire stick out about .25" further than the passenger side. The passenger side is just a little past flush with the fender. I have triple checked the stamped wheel size on the wheel. I've tried swapping the front wheels side to side and the front driver side still sticks out further than the passenger side. All of the suspension bushings appear to be in good shape. I just installed the PFADT coilovers so I took a close look while I was in there.
Can anyone guide me toward other areas to check? See picture below. Thanks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I'll know soon enough. I've got a big brake kit I'm about to install so I'll compare the OEM front rotors at that time.
Less actually. The upper A-arm on the driver side has one spacer on each of the four bolts.
The upper A-arm on the passenger side has from front to back two spacers on each of the two bolts closest to the front of the vehicle and one spacer on each of the two bolts toward the rear.
Anyone ever try to correct the issue? It was not noticeable with the OEM wheels and tires because they are not as wide. So, I guess the factory would not have known it was that far off.
Thanks everyone for your help. Any additional information or ideas would be great.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
It's possible and I thought about that, but I have not found any signs of it being in a wreck. The VIN stamps on the passenger side frame rail and crossbar are still intact, so I don't think it has been in anything too serious if at all. Carfax and Autocheck both came back clean when I purchased it, but that does not mean much. It was a two owner vehicle when I purchased it.
I figured if the problem was due to a wreck that a control arm or other suspension part would be visibly bent or damaged, correct?
To know for sure, I will probably have to have a good body shop look at it and see what they think.
I figured if the problem was due to a wreck that a control arm or other suspension part would be visibly bent or damaged, correct?
To know for sure, I will probably have to have a good body shop look at it and see what they think.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
It's possible and I thought about that, but I have not found any signs of it being in a wreck. The VIN stamps on the passenger side frame rail and crossbar are still intact, so I don't think it has been in anything too serious if at all. Carfax and Autocheck both came back clean when I purchased it, but that does not mean much. It was a two owner vehicle when I purchased it.
I figured if the problem was due to a wreck that a control arm or other suspension part would be visibly bent or damaged, correct?
To know for sure, I will probably have to have a good body shop look at it and see what they think.
I figured if the problem was due to a wreck that a control arm or other suspension part would be visibly bent or damaged, correct?
To know for sure, I will probably have to have a good body shop look at it and see what they think.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Yes, I will need another alignment. I just installed the coilovers, so I'm driving it now to get it to settle so I can adjust and finialize the ride height before having it aligned again. I had the first alignment done to see if maybe a camber issue was causing the wheel to stick out, but no luck on that one.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
If you really look hard at C5, and C6's you will be surprised how many have one wheel stick out more on one side than the other. My Drivers rear sticks out a pinch more than my passenger rear (<1/4"). Never been in an accident and I bought it brand new. A friend with a C6 has same issue but his rear passenger side sticks out (1/4")(he bought it new also). I have also personally seen 5 or 6 others locally with same issue. I did not tell them because I did not want them to worry about it. Its not just a C5 issue either... C6's have the issue too as I mentioned above.
Its mostly noticed on lowered cars. Once that wheel is closer to the fender that's when you notice it more. If its in stock 4x4 mode its harder to notice the issue.
I believe its a normal issue on our cars. More common than most want to believe. Maybe our car's body was set on the frame on a Monday, or a Friday...
Toque
Its mostly noticed on lowered cars. Once that wheel is closer to the fender that's when you notice it more. If its in stock 4x4 mode its harder to notice the issue.
I believe its a normal issue on our cars. More common than most want to believe. Maybe our car's body was set on the frame on a Monday, or a Friday...
Toque
Last edited by Toque; Apr 27, 2012 at 11:45 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Castro Valley California
If you really look hard at C5, and C6's you will be surprised how many have one wheel stick out more on one side than the other. My Drivers rear sticks out a pinch more than my passenger rear (<1/4"). Never been in an accident and I bought it brand new. A friend with a C6 has same issue but his rear passenger side sticks out (1/4")(he bought it new also). I have also personally seen 5 or 6 others locally with same issue. I did not tell them because I did not want them to worry about it. Its not just a C5 issue either... C6's have the issue too as I mentioned above.
Its mostly noticed on lowered cars. Once that wheel is closer to the fender that's when you notice it more. If its in stock 4x4 mode its harder to notice the issue.
I believe its a normal issue on our cars. More common than most want to believe. Maybe our car's body was set on the frame on a Monday, or a Friday...
Toque
Its mostly noticed on lowered cars. Once that wheel is closer to the fender that's when you notice it more. If its in stock 4x4 mode its harder to notice the issue.
I believe its a normal issue on our cars. More common than most want to believe. Maybe our car's body was set on the frame on a Monday, or a Friday...
Toque
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
If you really look hard at C5, and C6's you will be surprised how many have one wheel stick out more on one side than the other. My Drivers rear sticks out a pinch more than my passenger rear (<1/4"). Never been in an accident and I bought it brand new. A friend with a C6 has same issue but his rear passenger side sticks out (1/4")(he bought it new also). I have also personally seen 5 or 6 others locally with same issue. I did not tell them because I did not want them to worry about it. Its not just a C5 issue either... C6's have the issue too as I mentioned above.
Its mostly noticed on lowered cars. Once that wheel is closer to the fender that's when you notice it more. If its in stock 4x4 mode its harder to notice the issue.
I believe its a normal issue on our cars. More common than most want to believe. Maybe our car's body was set on the frame on a Monday, or a Friday...
Toque
Its mostly noticed on lowered cars. Once that wheel is closer to the fender that's when you notice it more. If its in stock 4x4 mode its harder to notice the issue.
I believe its a normal issue on our cars. More common than most want to believe. Maybe our car's body was set on the frame on a Monday, or a Friday...
Toque
It is also common on the C4's. I had one ('94) that I hit a deer with and the front end was pushed off to the driver's side a little bit. Most would never notice, but since then, it stands out to me and I notice them.
I have seen it on a lot of C4's, C5's and C6's to some extent. I think there is just variation in the builds of these cars.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I have another vehicle (not a Corvette) that is hand built and the main difference between cars are in body panel gaps not so much the suspension or drive line. That is why I did not think this was an issue that is so widespread and originating from the factory.
I guess I'll just have to get used to it. The Corvette is fun and an 80% daily driver. I'll just accept it and enjoy the car.
I guess I'll just have to get used to it. The Corvette is fun and an 80% daily driver. I'll just accept it and enjoy the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Yup, that's the way it was most likely built. Remember these plastic fenders are just hung on and stuck down with glue. No reason to make them perfect. Moreover, the frames on all these cars aren't square. That marvelous hydroformed tubing is all over the palce.
Very common when setting these cars up for the track to have to ream out the hole for the pin that locates the subframe relative to the frame so that you can get the same amount of negative camber on each side. My RF tire is closer to the fender than the left and I've rubbed the RF lip when running 295's with 1/4 inch spacers up front, and didn't get close to the LF lip..
That's just the way it is. You could move the subframe over to get it equal, and add shims to one side to get the alignment back.. Or you can just leave it.
Very common when setting these cars up for the track to have to ream out the hole for the pin that locates the subframe relative to the frame so that you can get the same amount of negative camber on each side. My RF tire is closer to the fender than the left and I've rubbed the RF lip when running 295's with 1/4 inch spacers up front, and didn't get close to the LF lip..
That's just the way it is. You could move the subframe over to get it equal, and add shims to one side to get the alignment back.. Or you can just leave it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Thanks for everyone's input. Successful thread! I was able to find others with the same/similar issue and find out what my options are to correct it if I ever choose to do so.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
All this discussion, so I had to go out to the garage and take a look at my car. It's an '01, I'm the original owner, it's never been hit. A lot depends on how you stand, when looking down the car, but I'd say my LR stick out about 1/8" more than the right, and the RF about 1/8" more than the left....
