Question on the Position of front tires in the wheel well

[Zedyone_kenobi]

We have all had the conversation on what tires fit what cars. Things like if the car is lowered, what size rims are on the car, etc all make a difference. I was wondering if the position of the front tires in the wheel well has any affect on this. Take for instance my car...

You notice the front wheels are pushed to the front of the wheel well. I would think this is adjustable with the TC control rods. But I have noticed that some of the 240Zs on this website have the wheels dead center in the wheel well. Both my wheels are equally like this, and I know it has never been severely wrecked.

Is this normal? Or should I take another look at my TC rods to see if I have them adjusted properly.

By the way, car drives great and handles wonderfully. It does not pull to the right or left when accelerating or braking. There is no vibration at any time up to 100 mph. In a nutshell, the car drives like a new car. I would hate to mess with anything when it is tracking so perfectly. But this seems too far forward to me?

Edited August 25, 2011 by Zedyone_kenobi

[5thhorsemann]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[ZCurves]

You could always refer to the BODY section of the FSM and check the geometry of your car. But I have to agree with 5thhorsemann, just leave it alone.

[spitz17]

It does not look off to me... I think you have been starring at your Z too long

I do it all the time bwahah.

[Arne]

Your wheel position looks a bit extreme compared to the only picture of my car I have directly from the side like that. But the stock TC rods are not adjustable. If yours are, they are aftermarket performance parts, and the PO may have adjusted them for additional caster.

[Hunter260Z]

If it drives good, leave it alone. My next Z will be silver, Love the color.

[Oiluj]

They do look a little bit forward, but not enough to notice unless you are "looking" for it.

I agree with the others, if it tracks fine and tire wear is normal, I would'nt mess with it.

And your car still looks great! What kind / % window tint did you use on the side windows?

[tlorber]

The only way you would be able to adjust them is 1) have an adjustable TC Rod (that Techno Toy one looks cool and I may get one at some point) and 2) you'd have to adjust/reverse your LCA bushings. The control arms pivot in one plane and are not meant to move fore and aft. I can't remember if the thicker one is up front or in the rear.

[jmortensen]

Moving the wheels back reduces caster. This would make it easier to physically turn the steering wheel but would make the car handle worse. Stock is about 2.5 or 3 degrees caster if I recall. Lots of racers run 5 or more degrees, and it makes a big difference. On my car with 23.5" tall tires the tires hit the fenders with the wheels turned at about 5 degrees of caster. I bent the fenders for clearance.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Well okay, seems I should leave it alone then.. Like I said, the car drives beautifully, and around the track it felt fantastic. NO complaints.

As for what percent tint I have Oiluj, I am not sure. They were tinted when I got it, but I want to get it done over on the side windows. NO way I am puling the tint off my rear defroster while it is still working...It is rather dark though. When I do it again, I will probably go far less extreme.

[ajmcforester]

I thought the same about my first Z after looking at it long enough. How the wheel well is cut it flares out in the back of the the front wells. From a distance you'll note the wheel well matches the tire well across the top. While up close you start to compair from the bottom and it should look forward