I have a bit of an odd situation with a new set of Apex EC-7R wheels for my 2022 M3P.
I bought the 18 x 9.5 ET34 Model 3 wheels, wrapped them in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 265/40R18 tires, and used 3mm spacers from MODEL+ to deal with the hub step. In theory, this set up should work. Despite all that, the front driver's side wheel is hitting the knuckle.
Before I drove it, I slipped a piece of cardboard between the knuckle and the wheel while the car was on stands to check the clearance. I also didn’t hear any scraping while I was backing straight out of the garage. It wasn’t until I turned the steering wheel to pull out of my driveway that I heard it.
It sounded like a light knocking. While I was coasting 100 yards to the next side street to turn around, I didn't hear anything, but when I turned the wheel again, the knocking came back.
When I got back to my garage, I took the wheel off and could see a section of the inner rim was scraping the knuckle.
It was just that one part of the wheel, though—it didn’t scrape around the whole circumference. Also, no rubbing on the tire. So, I cleaned off the spacer, the brake rotor hat, and wheel mounting surface. Put the wheel back on and went for another drive.
I got it up to about 45 mph and didn’t hear any knocking / scraping, but as soon as I started decelerating and turned to go through a roundabout, the knocking was back. I went back home, put my winter setup back on and reached out to Apex to get their thoughts.
Anyone have any ideas about what could be causing this? There was no shake in the steering wheel at 45 mph, so I don’t think the spacer is warped or anything like that. The wheel balanced just fine, so I don’t think it’s bent. Kind of at a loss.
I bought the 18 x 9.5 ET34 Model 3 wheels, wrapped them in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 265/40R18 tires, and used 3mm spacers from MODEL+ to deal with the hub step. In theory, this set up should work. Despite all that, the front driver's side wheel is hitting the knuckle.
Before I drove it, I slipped a piece of cardboard between the knuckle and the wheel while the car was on stands to check the clearance. I also didn’t hear any scraping while I was backing straight out of the garage. It wasn’t until I turned the steering wheel to pull out of my driveway that I heard it.
It sounded like a light knocking. While I was coasting 100 yards to the next side street to turn around, I didn't hear anything, but when I turned the wheel again, the knocking came back.
When I got back to my garage, I took the wheel off and could see a section of the inner rim was scraping the knuckle.
It was just that one part of the wheel, though—it didn’t scrape around the whole circumference. Also, no rubbing on the tire. So, I cleaned off the spacer, the brake rotor hat, and wheel mounting surface. Put the wheel back on and went for another drive.
I got it up to about 45 mph and didn’t hear any knocking / scraping, but as soon as I started decelerating and turned to go through a roundabout, the knocking was back. I went back home, put my winter setup back on and reached out to Apex to get their thoughts.
Anyone have any ideas about what could be causing this? There was no shake in the steering wheel at 45 mph, so I don’t think the spacer is warped or anything like that. The wheel balanced just fine, so I don’t think it’s bent. Kind of at a loss.