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What's up with the uneven OEM wheel gap?

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Old 10-26-2010, 08:35 PM
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Question What's up with the uneven OEM wheel gap?

So I'm about to get a RX-8 GT and by looking at pictures of cars on sale I see the wheel gap in the front wheels is a lot bigger than the one in the rear wheels...

What's up with that? Rear shocks getting weak or is it the way it's suppose to be?

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Old 10-26-2010, 08:46 PM
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I don't see any gap. Both front and rear wheels exactly reach the ground.

Ken
Old 10-26-2010, 08:47 PM
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It's the design don't worry about it.

Even if you lower the car there still will be a difference.

If you lower it and adjust the front lower for looks it effects your handling alot.

If you lower it evenly, the difference is alot less noticable.

Get some KW Coil overs.
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Old 10-26-2010, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Razz1
It's the design don't worry about it.

Even if you lower the car there still will be a difference.

If you lower it and adjust the front lower for looks it effects your handling alot.

If you lower it evenly, the difference is alot less noticable.

Get some KW Coil overs.
Thanks a lot sir
Old 10-26-2010, 09:06 PM
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anyways.... welcome to the club lol not bad for a first post i suppose
Old 10-27-2010, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Kaiser bun
anyways.... welcome to the club lol not bad for a first post i suppose
LOL I was looking for a 7 and found a pretty sweet deal on a 8, I'll go with the 8 right now and see if it's a keeper.

Rotary is not an issue with me (hopefully ) since I've got friends working on those engines and that I have a better knowledge than the average customer. The issue really was about that damn wheel gap Since it's normal I won't mess with it to keep the balance of the 8 on the edge
Old 10-27-2010, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by ken-x8
i don't see any gap. Both front and rear wheels exactly reach the ground.

Ken
wat
Old 10-27-2010, 12:09 PM
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^ I believe its due to the fact that our car is RWD. Most RWD cars are like that. My buddys G35 is the same.

When you accelerate the weight shifts to the back in a way and the front nose goes up. A mechanic also told me that's why the gaps are uneven.
Old 10-27-2010, 12:36 PM
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The Red Calipers need that extra gap!

Welcome to the club Nice ride, get some clear corners!
Old 10-27-2010, 12:58 PM
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full tank of gas can affect the gap too
Old 10-27-2010, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by CyberPitz
The Red Calipers need that extra gap!

Welcome to the club Nice ride, get some clear corners!

I'm talking about the gap between the upper part of the tire and the body.

PS It's no mine yet, hoping to close the deal in the next few days
Old 10-27-2010, 01:57 PM
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The Mazda engineers, as all sportscar designers, had to assure ample front wheel clearance even when the shocks (and therefore fender) are compressed in aggressive turns. The rear wheels of course don't have as much of a turn clearance issue.

On the flip side, it's the rear wheels that you have to be more concerned with when going with a lower positive offset rim and wider tire combo (fender clearance).

Originally Posted by [c]K
So I'm about to get a RX-8 GT and by looking at pictures of cars on sale I see the wheel gap in the front wheels is a lot bigger than the one in the rear wheels...

What's up with that? Rear shocks getting weak or is it the way it's suppose to be?

As shown here:
Old 10-27-2010, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by [c]K
I'm talking about the gap between the upper part of the tire and the body.

PS It's no mine yet, hoping to close the deal in the next few days
I know, I was being extremely sarcastic
Old 10-27-2010, 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by CyberPitz
I know, I was being extremely sarcastic
LOL didn't get that one
Old 10-27-2010, 02:55 PM
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Wheels, not rims!!
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Thats one high riding stock suspension RX8.

Last edited by SayNoToPistons; 10-27-2010 at 10:35 PM.
Old 10-27-2010, 08:41 PM
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Ignore the wheel gap and look at the lines on the car. That car sits level. Also if your going to go purchase it when you get there look at the lines from front to back and back to front. Make sure the car doesn't lean one way or another. Make sure the car isn't offset to the right or left.

The lines on that car are very even. You should be just fine.
Old 10-27-2010, 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by SayNoToPistons
Thats one high riding stock suspension RX8.
More reverse rake goodness for you to love.






Last edited by RotaryResurrection; 10-27-2010 at 11:25 PM.
Old 10-28-2010, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by DocBeech
Ignore the wheel gap and look at the lines on the car. That car sits level. Also if your going to go purchase it when you get there look at the lines from front to back and back to front. Make sure the car doesn't lean one way or another. Make sure the car isn't offset to the right or left.

The lines on that car are very even. You should be just fine.

The car is damn straight, I should be the lucky owner tommorow
Old 10-28-2010, 11:01 AM
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Congrats..

I changed the springs to Tien H-Tech when I replaced the shocks, gap gone. No adverse handling, track times dropped, but that was more likely the shocks than the springs. MPG did go up though a measurable amount.

Post buy, check out the links in my sig. One I wrote, the other is pretty good.
Old 10-28-2010, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Huey52
The Mazda engineers, as all sportscar designers, had to assure ample front wheel clearance even when the shocks (and therefore fender) are compressed in aggressive turns. The rear wheels of course don't have as much of a turn clearance issue.
Who in hell said you need wheel clearance?

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Last edited by [c]K; 10-28-2010 at 03:32 PM.
Old 10-28-2010, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by [c]K
Who on hell said you need wheel clearance?
Who on hell?
Old 10-28-2010, 03:08 PM
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Old 10-28-2010, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Go Steelers
Who on hell?

typo or maybe I meant who on Earth lol

Last edited by [c]K; 10-28-2010 at 03:35 PM.
Old 10-28-2010, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by alfy28
Old 10-28-2010, 04:10 PM
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I just woke up, and suddenly im not hungry anymore...


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