Has This Big Gap Always Been Here...

[Faz85 0]

Good Evening All,

 

Sorry to burden you with this post, i think it fits in this section of the forum...i was just having one of those long hard looks at my car out of my window...(i seem to scrutinise my car every time i do this)...

 

and anyway, looking side-on, i seemed to notice that there is quite a significant gap between the front wheel and the bumper on my 205...ive never really noticed it before because the wheel sits well centred under the arch, but there does seem to be a good inch and a half between the tyre and the edge of bumper, and i was just wondering if its dodgy at all, or if its just something i never noticed!?!

 

 

the reason i ask is that comparing it with the rear axle, the wheel sits in the arch neatly, and there is only a very small gap at either side of the wheel, but on the front it looks slightly odd with a big gap ....

 

just wondering if anyone else notices this, and whether its a problem with the geometry, or perhaps just due to the suspension ride height on the front (its only -25mm)

 

it seems to vary from GTi to GTi, and im hoping its not a problem with my suspension geometry!! in any case...i would like to fill the arch a bit more and eliminate this gap, would lowering the front lets say ~40mm reduce the arch gap at the sides of the wheels? or perhaps just a bigger profile tyre? or perhaps its something else?...or maybe nothing at all!

 

any insight would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks in advance

[Jonmurgie 2]

Looks fine/normal to me The front bumper doesn't hug the wheel like the rear as the wheel has to turn...

[Faz85 0]

Looks fine/normal to me The front bumper doesn't hug the wheel like the rear as the wheel has to turn...

 

 

cheers for the reply Jon, glad theres not a problem there! but as a bit of a comparison...

 

 

mine SBC phase 1

 

205 on coilovers

 

 

second pic seems a nicer fit, with a smaller gap between the wheel and bumper...its on coilovers but not sure if that makes any difference?? perhaps coilovers is the way forward to getting the look im after!? Im thinking of changing my suspension anyway, im not too keen on the SB phase 1...its a little too firm for my taste...

 

If anyone has an opinion, it would be greatly appreciated... Many Thanks

 

Faraz

[hengti 2]

it's still quite difficult to see, but it does look as though it's back in the arch (sorry!)

 

what's the other side like?

 

the only way of being sure if everything's as it should be is by getting it on one of these specialist geometry/tracking rigs. you'll get a print out of all the angles and what they should be.

 

nothing's adjustable though - so, if it's miles out, you're probably looking at replacing wishbones (which may be bent). the geometry on mine's not as it should be, but it still drives fine = no problem (not to me anyway).

[feb 47]

The two pics are different to be able to tell. The first pic being taken at an angle probably makes the gap you are talking about look bigger than it is in reality.

Edited September 25, 2006 by feb

[Jonmurgie 2]

Hmmm.. that second pic you posted does make it look a little odd, though it could be the bumper! Get a straight on shot at eye level of the wheel so we can see what's going on From the second pic it looks like the wheel has been twatted back!

[Faz85 0]

Thanks for the replies guys, i had a good long look at eye level and all seems well, i think the angle of the pic had some part to play (thanks for pointing that out feb!) and it does sit quite well after all. i think its probably just a ride height issue, perhaps a slightly bigger drop, along with the original profile tyres would help fill the arches up a bit more (perhaps even new wishbones), but in any case...i guess its just me being over critical!!...it seems to handle fine.

 

 

I think i'll be on the lookout for some adjustable shocks, perhaps coilovers to lower the ride height just a bit more (im a fan of the 35-40mm drop myself)...and a slightly softer ride would be a vast improvement i think! (maybe someone would be interested in a swap with the SBC phase 1 kit)

 

Many Thanks again.

 

Faraz

[tom_m 0]

if thats your car in the last pic its spot on. get out and enjoy it!!!

[Jonmurgie 2]

Yeah, again that looks spot on... amazing what a different angle can do!