btaira

I purchased some used mazda mx-3 rims (93 GS, 15x6, 45mm offset) for autocrossing and installed Azenis 205/50/15. Unfortunately, the rear tires rub ever so SLIGHTLY against the struts (ZX2 struts). Has anyone else run into this problem? Will the rubbing get worse when the car is under load (i.e., turning, braking, etc)? Or am I fine just leaving it as is (i.e., if it clears, it clears). Incidentally, I already removed the nominal negative camber I had back there for additional clearance.

protegeownzj00

what year pro do you have? i'm looking at getting a set of mx-3 rims too with the same tires on them, but i don't want rubbing..

rowan

Rubbing on the inside with a 45 offset? What kind of car do you have? hehe
You can always get the Trak+ wheel spacers from H&R to push the wheel back out 5mm or so.

mazdaspeedwest

Spacers is my suggestion also, but you may want to slot the strut holes to get a few mm of caster (get you some neg camber too )

Davard

You should be able to get away with 1/8" spacers, and still have enough thread left to safely hold on the wheels. Any bigger (thicker), and you'd need to change to longer studs. Although, with longer studs and 1/4" spacers, you could get some of your negative camber back.

I have the other problem (with new Azenis). With my 35mm offset 15 x 7 wheels, I get rubbing on the fenders. Although, most of that is when the car is loaded driving to events. One event on the front wears off the edge enough so that they don't wear in the back.

btaira

I have a 92 LX with ZX2 struts and Progress springs (although I do not think the struts and springs matter).

David, thanks for the information. It sounds like the ideal offset for the rear is about 38 or 40 mm. From your reply, it sounds like I can replace the stock studs with longer ones. If so, how hard is it to do and where can I buy the studs. Finally, will the spacer make the wheel less secure, since the center of the wheel will no longer be resting around the hub?

mazdaspeedwest

i used to have a fender rub prob in the rear before i switched over to the ZX2 struts, it stopped, although with a really big load it would buzz the tires occasionaly. I fixed that permanently with 1.5 degrees of negative camber

15x7 w/35mm offset have always run 205/50/15 tires.

and my street wheels are 16x7 w/42mm offset w/205/45/16 tires.

spacers (cheap ones) have been known to through a wheel out of balance slightly. No biggie for just racing in the parkinglot, but bad if you travel a long distance to get there. H&R make some really nice spacers.

I have 2 different sizes of cheapish ones, i think they are 3mm and 5mm, your welcomed to try them out if you want, i don't use them anymore.

btaira

Darryl, thanks for the info. If you don't mind, bring them down next time you are in San Diego.

On a side note, why is the Jetta in STX? Do you have an LSD on it? Finally, is it chipped? As you know, I have a V6 Passat. Big mistake. A chipped 1.8t makes more power and much more torque (and weighs less).

mazdaspeedwest

the Jetta is in STX just to be in a different class. It hasn't raced yet and is still bone stock. (although it has the GLX sports suspension)

it has an ELD (electronic locking diff) and traction control. but still legal for STS, this year.

I'll put the spacers in my autox box for the next time i'm down there.

Jas00x

protegeownzj00,

I have a 2000 ES that I autocross. I run '99-'00 15"x6" Miata wheels (can't remember the offset- but it must be 45mm - I know it is 5mm more than the 00 Protege wheel).
For Tires, I use 225-45-15's up front, and 205-50-15's in the back. I have not had any rubbing probems with my car. For Shocks, I use Bilstein cartridges in the stock mazda struts (built by AWR).

Later,

carguycw

New Miatas have 5mm *less* offset. 99+ Miatas have 40mm offset wheels. All 4-bolt Proteges have 45mm offset.

protegeownzj00

thanks! yea i dunno why this guy's tires are rubbing with a 45mm offset...

mazdaspeedwest

Barry drives a 1st gen and his problem is not with the fender, but the strut. The 45mm offset would bring the wheel closer to the strut. So his problem IS with the 45mm offset (or whatever offset his wheels have) he needs to bring the wheel out from the strut a little bit.

the larger the number, 42, 45, 50 the closer inwards the wheel gets. the smaller the number 40, 38, 35 the father outward the wheels gets. This is all still a positive offset, once you get past 0, it goes negative.

SilverPR5

My sponsor was able to get me 3mm spacers for my car. He recommended that you have at least 7 full turns of the lug nuts to be safe. I got 8.

But I was rubbing my wheel on the rear upper control arms (on my Honda).