Rubbing in the rear with stock suspension/wheels...what's the deal?

[M3zie]

So I'm on original stock suspension with 76k miles, with stock LTW wheels in staggered sizes, and Michelin pilot sport all-season's in stock sizes.

For about 900 miles now, my rear driver side tire rubs against the 1/4 panel going over bumps/dips or taking right turns when the weight shifts to that side.

I have been getting a faint rattling noise from the trunk area which I assume is my RSMs asking to come out. That is the only known issue with the suspension. Could this be causing the rub, or is it something else?

I haven't hit any curbs or potholes and I haven't been Tokyo Drifting the corners in my neighborhood, so I'm pretty much stumped as to what it could be but it needs to be fixed ASAP. Before I started throwing money around I wanted to see where I should start first.

Could I just roll the rear fenders and be done with it?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Don Nguyen]

i'd check out your suspension.

[M3zie]

Specifically...shock/spring combo?

[Don Nguyen]

check rsm and check the shock. Spring shouldn't be bad, but might as well since you're there already.

[Furious]

maybe your rear shock mount is gone and the shock has gone though the frame. you can also check to see if you have a blown shock , check for oil oozing out of it.

[Badgtho is back]

i'd check out your suspension.

i'd say that response is a bit general.. wouldn;t you?

get an alignment.

and shocks have nothing to do with it. they do not support the weight of the car. even with no shocks in the car this should not happen with stock wheels/tires/suspension.

get an alignment.

[Julz69]

RTAB? I have same issue with my driver side rear tire. But my back left tire sticks out more then my back right tire? I have bilstein shocks and eibach springs. have any ideas?

[M3zie]

maybe your rear shock mount is gone and the shock has gone though the frame. you can also check to see if you have a blown shock , check for oil oozing out of it.

Like I said, RSMs are probably dead because I can hear them. But I checked both shock towers and they appear to be fine. I'll be ordering either Rogue or GC RSMs.

I'll look into getting an alignment too. Can any place do this or does the saying still stand true...you get what you pay for?

[Badgtho is back]

you get what you pay for.. and this is not related to shocks or towers.

[Daved]

How long since your last alignment?

[M3zie]

How long since your last alignment?

About 2 years or 25k miles.

What specs should I have the place align the car to?

[wheresmym3]

I have this issue as well. As for the RSM's i'm going with the GC's. See my thread here:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607314

I pulled my carpet back and from what I can tell the rsm's look newer and seem ok. I do have the side effects of a blown RSM (noise, harshness, etc.) though so they are getting ripped out. I know for a fact the my RTABs are gone so those are getting replaced with the powerflex bushings. LTABs are fine but they are getting replaced as well. Then on to an alignment.

[M3zie]

But I'm rubbing on stock suspension and stock wheels, and it's only on one side...you have aftermarket wheels.

Anyone have any suggestions what specs I should align the car to?

[cmedlinz]

i have this same problem, can't find any clear working results in search.

mine is on the pass. side. the pass. side tire has less distance between it and the fender than the driver side. on some left turns or bumps, it scrapes/rubs like crazy back there, and it's much much worse with even one passenger.

i changed my rsm's, they were in good shape. i also need to know what could be causing the tire to be sticking out further than my drivers side.

[tpb31]

i have this same problem, can't find any clear working results in search.

mine is on the pass. side. the pass. side tire has less distance between it and the fender than the driver side. on some left turns or bumps, it scrapes/rubs like crazy back there, and it's much much worse with even one passenger.

i changed my rsm's, they were in good shape. i also need to know what could be causing the tire to be sticking out further than my drivers side.

are you talking about ride height? It came from the factory with the drivers side sitting a tad higher than the passenger side. I think it was to offset the drivers weight in the car.

[wheresmym3]

But I'm rubbing on stock suspension and stock wheels, and it's only on one side...you have aftermarket wheels.

Anyone have any suggestions what specs I should align the car to?
No shit but it's still the same issue. The wheels were fine for awhile now my drivers side rubs and it's starting to cut into the tire.


are you talking about ride height? It came from the factory with the drivers side sitting a tad higher than the passenger side. I think it was to offset the drivers weight in the car.

No we are not talking about ride height. Read above...talking about one tire in the rear sticking out more than the opposite tire and rubbing. I hope the problem is alleviated when I install my RTABs and RSMs.

[EricP]

With the 19's on my car I had rubbing on the left side only, which I found a bit strange. I later discovered the left RTAB to be completely torn and alignment was off all around.

[Julz69]

i have this same problem, can't find any clear working results in search.

mine is on the pass. side. the pass. side tire has less distance between it and the fender than the driver side. on some left turns or bumps, it scrapes/rubs like crazy back there, and it's much much worse with even one passenger.

i changed my rsm's, they were in good shape. i also need to know what could be causing the tire to be sticking out further than my drivers side.

SAME issue just driver side. subscribed

[SQ Bimmer]

This could be bad...

[M3zie]

Any other ideas besides having an alignment done? Seems like a few of us are having this issue...

[wheresmym3]

RTAB's seem to be the culprit. I already ordered my powerflex RTAB's, LCAB's, and GC RSM's from bimmerworld and should get them here in a week. I will install and align and have results posted here.

[Daved]

Any other ideas besides having an alignment done? Seems like a few of us are having this issue...
IMO you should start with an alignment, not just because it can be really out of whack but also because the align guys know will be able to tell you what's wrong with your car (well, some align guys that know what they're doing).

[cmedlinz]

i'm also subscribing to this thread. i'm beginning to search for a competent alignment place that might actually be able to tell me what is wrong.

anyone change their rtab's while having this problem and solve it? because it looks like that'll be the next thing to try depending on what i find out with the alignment place.

[cmedlinz]

any more ideas to this?

[wheresmym3]

I honestly think it the rtabs. If it was just an alignment it would rub all the time while as the worn bushings being to blame would explain the whole "sometimes" it rubs matter.

[Julz69]

updates????????? did anyone install their RTABS yet?

[grubster]

Well, I believe I have the same problem as the OP. But, I have already installed new E46 M3 RSM, stock rear Shocks, new Stock RTABs with Turner Motorsport Shims. Full alignment done afterwards. This was probably all done 1.5-2 years ago and I notice this problem with 2 passengers, and definetely with 2 rear seat passengers, mostly turning left or going over bumps. I just assumed I need new rear springs though, car has 115k and it's a 99.

[wheresmym3]

I get my rtabs, lcabs, and rsms Friday!

[Julz69]

so you guys think that a torn RTAB would make my back left tire stick out about 1/2 inch more then my right read side????? TIA
-Julian

[EricP]

so you guys think that a torn RTAB would make my back left tire stick out about 1/2 inch more then my right read side????? TIA
-Julian

Dude, just check your RTABs. lols.

[Doc325i]

I had a similar problem w/fairly stock set-up. Staggered DS2's w/Michelin pilot Sports. Stock suspension but i kept rubbing the rear driver's tire to the point where i damaged the sidewall of this tire. I replaced RTAB's, RSM, Spring, Shocks, got alignment and still the same issue. Finally i decided to go w/a friends suggestion and change to the thicker spring pad and cutting my bumpstop. Since doing these i haven't had any issues.

[wheresmym3]

Why would cutting your bumpstop help?

[M3zie]

I had a similar problem w/fairly stock set-up. Staggered DS2's w/Michelin pilot Sports. Stock suspension but i kept rubbing the rear driver's tire to the point where i damaged the sidewall of this tire. I replaced RTAB's, RSM, Spring, Shocks, got alignment and still the same issue. Finally i decided to go w/a friends suggestion and change to the thicker spring pad and cutting my bumpstop. Since doing these i haven't had any issues.

Damn you replaced all that, got an alignment and still had the rub? :mad

How can this be possible with stock wheels/stock suspension?

[cmedlinz]

Damn you replaced all that, got an alignment and still had the rub? :mad

How can this be possible with stock wheels/stock suspension?
no joke, it's very annoying. i'm really hoping that new springs are needed, i believe the ones on my m are relatively new.

wheresmyM3, make sure to update us after the install.

[joenationwide]

i wonder if it could be torn, damaged, bad rear subframe bushings? :dunno

[wheresmym3]

I will try to install tomorrow night if I have time.

[wheresmym3]

What better way to spend a Friday night! Anyone else wanna help?

[Boxerchip]

This does not make much sense... ive got stock wheels on my car right now too but my rear end is dropped like close to 2 inches and its not rubbing at all... I would agree with what alot of others have been saying. get the car alligned and see what they have to say about it... if its not allignment I feel like its going to be something big.... but hell maybe some neighborhood kids just decided to play a joke on you and throw a 20mm spacer on that side. LOL

[wheresmym3]

See my thread here (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=616570)for progress of replacing undercarriage bushings.