Sports / Spyder suspension issues

[layada]

Has anyone else had problems on the early spyders or sports with the front tyres contacting the arches on heavy braking or bumps (esp near side)?

Note the car doesn't have what I belive to be the current standard Intrax shocks (but I'm also not sure what the standard spec was back in 95-97)

Factory set up the suspension for me last year and it does handle much better but I'm getting rubbing - now I'm through to the fibre.

Any ideas / experiences?

[shithotfast]

I have this as well. What size front wheels do you have? the very first Ultimas had 15inch (which looked crap) I started with 16 inch, but some cars have 17s. The larger the wheel the bigger the tyre profile and it will rub. I have raised the front height slightly to get rid of it, but full lock (only) still gives a bit of scrub. Its the light boxs which are the issue. The new cars have a small box so not an issue. Only other way is to somehow reduce the size of the light box.......or some tyre have a more rounded profile with less "edge" so less rubbing. Not a tyre expert but I am sure this is possible.... Just another quirk of having a hand built car...

[shithotfast]

also......... - I did see a silver sport at Lemans last year that had tyre clearance of about a nats togger all round! front and rear! Not your car I guess? I was amazed the wheels went around they were so close. The ground clearance seemed to be about an inch at best!

[layada]

Mines a yellow Spyder, so not the one you spotted. I have the 15 inch fronts with 225/50 profile tyres fitted. I can see there is a recess in the moulding to help accomdate but it still scrubs.

Do you think somehow changing the bump stops for less travel would help?

[shithotfast]

I guess you have the front fairly low. I think the only thing is to try to reduce the size of the light boxs. There is a (very) small amount you can cut them back. You need to bend the light bulb connections to still get clearence to the light box covers, you dont need a lot extra to make them work....- its that close

[ultiman]

I have recently changed tyres from the standard tyre for 16 inch wheels to a slightly bigger one. It looks a whole lot better as the wheel and tyre fill the wheel arch and the ride is slightly more compliant to counter the foul roads round here. However I have managed to rub through the glass fibre light backing. I recall asking the factory if there was any way that the GTR light arrangement could be made to fit the sport and they said not. I cant quite see why though with a bit of fettling. Any ideas (other than go for smaller tyres). Also the lights when on dipped beam are poor. Is that a general problem with the sporrt and spyder? select group that we are.

[BogBeast]

ultiman said:

I have recently changed tyres from the standard tyre for 16 inch wheels to a slightly bigger one. It looks a whole lot better as the wheel and tyre fill the wheel arch and the ride is slightly more compliant to counter the foul roads round here. However I have managed to rub through the glass fibre light backing. I recall asking the factory if there was any way that the GTR light arrangement could be made to fit the sport and they said not. I cant quite see why though with a bit of fettling. Any ideas (other than go for smaller tyres). Also the lights when on dipped beam are poor. Is that a general problem with the sporrt and spyder? select group that we are.

My dips are fine. I also have the same rubbing problems. I am debating replacing the main beam with main/dip HID's to cover the lighting requirements, removing the bulbs from the old dips and replacing with a bunch of white LEDS for side lights (to keep the overall look).

Then remove as much of the gubbins around the back of the lights as possible, maybe laying up some little Egg carton grp covers for the back of the old dips then going for some 17's

We could see if we could get a bulk buy of HID's for those of us who are dimensionally challenged ?

[tjb]

I've got 15" wheels on my Sports and they still rub occasionally (and look cr*p). If there's a way of sorting the light cluster to allow 16" or 17" wheels I would be interested. Also I assume that larger front wheels will allow more options for replacing the std Granada brakes which is also on my wish list.

[layada]

This is getting interesting - looks like many of the sport/spider owners have a common issue here and would like solution.

Was out again in the great weather this W/E and the scrubbing was detracting from an otherwise mighty good thrash.

Will put the thinking cap on and see what might be done re the lighting cluster - might be worth involving the factory also; with a solution as a common retrofit.

Collectively (inc forum) I'm sure we can come up with an idea to solve.

[ultiman]

As I recall from the time I built the car, the wheel size could be stretched to 16” which is what I did. I also fitted the Alcan larger brakes which fitted well enough. I have seen a Spyder with 19” wheels but the tyres were laughably low profile, possibly painted on and it all fitted.
If anyone can think of a way round the rubbing, I would be interested in knowing. Maybe the factory has some ideas although I suspect that Sport and Spyder development is not foremost in their thoughts.
On the subject of lights, I was told that when travelling in heavy rain, my car when viewed from behind disappears in a ball of spray, even with the fog lights on. I rectified this by fitting a racing rain light from Demon Tweeks which although £140 works a treat and fits the fog light recess perfectly.
tjb if you are after better brakes the AP Racing brakes will fit with 16” wheels. I have a spare set of 12” Alcan brakes if interested which is more economical than the £3k AP jobs. N

[layada]

Like the idea of alternate lights (HIDs) etc - assume they would need to be slimmer / smaller (physically - not light output) that the orignials, that are not exactly deep.

What depth do we think they may need to be for imporved / adiquate clearance with a modified rear cover?