98 Tire Rub on Passenger Side Rear

[cmjohnson]

I'm having a problem with rubbing on the passenger side rear tire when there is someone in the back seat. The suspension back there also makes a serious creaking noise when going over bumps, curbs, and sometimes when turning (only on the passenger side). Tire size is 205/40 R17...on an unlowered 2dr.
The tire never rubs on the driver side of the car no matter how much weight is on that side. I'm stumped...been in to have this checked out several times, but they keep telling me the springs and suspension are fine. If everything was fine, it wouldn't rub and make bad noises!

[GScivic7]

sounds like blown shocks to me or your springs may be sagging, but I've never been witness to factory springs sagging at all. My money is on bad shocks.

[cmjohnson]

Obviously, I don't know much about suspension...hopefully by the time I'm done with this I'll know a lot more. I did just have the rear struts replaced...the replacement raised the passenger rear by about 1/2 inch, but didn't take care of the rubbing...and the creaking is worse since the replacement. The shop insists that the springs are good...but I can't say whether or not they ever actually checked them.

[94hondaacc]

How Did You Drop The Car Coilovers Or Lowered Springs? The Springs Are What Set The Ride Height. So If You Have Any Clearance Issues This Would Be Where To Look. The Struts Absorb The Movement And Provide The Support For The Springs. If Your Springs Are Bad Then Youre Struts Will Go Next.because Of This I Usually Encourage People To Change Both Springs And Struts, At The Same Time. It Saves Money On Labor.

[GScivic7]

you need to go back and re-read his post.

Unlowered 2dr.

[94hondaacc]

My Bad In That Case, I Would Think It Would Be The Springs.

[GScivic7]

I can't imagine factory springs sagging though. I have never ever come across bad factory springs. It just seems so weird to me.

Do this, get your car a level surface, get a measuring tape and measure the distance from the center of your wheel to the top of your fender on all 4 corners and tell us if there is a difference at all.

[cmjohnson]

sorry, was away for a couple days. i'll do the measuring tomorrow and post the results.

[cmjohnson]

Okay, I wasn't sure what you meant by top of fender, so I measured from the center of the wheel straight up to the metal of the fender. The distance on these are: Front, both sides measure 14". Rear driver side measures 14.5". Rear passenger measures 13.75".

[GScivic7]

well, there shouldn't be a 3/4" difference between the left and right side. They might have installed faulty struts or improperly installed them.

Here's a few links so you can check out the struts yourself.

http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/evaluating.html

http://www.accctiresonline.com/Shocks.htm

[cmjohnson]

It was an even bigger difference before the new struts were installed...the new ones raised the passenger side by over half an inch! The rubbing problem was really bad before the new struts, now it only rubs on bumps and around corners when there's about 350+ pounds worth of people sitting on the passenger side. Still, both when I bought it, and now with new struts, it doesn't matter how much weight you put on the driver side...it doesn't rub at all.

[cmjohnson]

If springs end up being the problem, what is a top-end aftermarket brand, or should I just invest in a new set from Honda being that I have no intention of lowering the car?

[GScivic7]

well, obviously Honda factory parts would be up there. The H&R OE springs are great too. They'll lower your ride by about .75" which isn't a lot at all. Still retains everyday driveability but less of that horrid fender gap.