HELP! OE bottlecaps no longer fit my e30

[u3b3rg33k]

I am having trouble comprehending this, so maybe you can help. my winter set of wheels (bottlecaps) only fits with certain wheels on the front, due to rubbing on the tie rod ends.
This winter, the same wheels I ran last winter (driver side front) now rubs on the tie rod end, leaving a streak down the rim where the two touch (occasionally). the repair shop next door is staring at the 1-2mm of clearance on the passenger front in disbelief saying they've never seen a tie rod end so close to a wheel. and to be honest neither have I.

WTH is going on? my summer tires are on weaves (6.5" width), and they don't have problems - I even bought newer b'caps in better shape and they still rub.

I need to solve this asap, so assuming there's no forthcoming magical advice, I'm going to be ordering NEW d-force wheels (15x7) and be done with it - at least those will clear the controls.

[89AlpineM3]

sounds like something is bent

[u3b3rg33k]

If you're telling me the end of the front strut is bent, that's a lot of very thick steel to bend with virtually no force on it to bend it.

I know not all the wheels are perfect, but that still doesn't account for a wheel fitting on one side and not the other.

side that doesn't rub (PS):


side that rubs (DS):


it's a bad angle I know - looks like it's eating it because of the shape of the wheel, but it's deceiving.

[89AlpineM3]

I thought of more the tie rod being bent or the rack

[E30SPDFRK]

Are the tie rods tight? Do they have any play? If the wheels fit on one side and not the other, either something's bent or the tie rod is dead/loose.

[u3b3rg33k]

Tie rod is not loose.

Anyone with bottlecaps that fit willing to throw up a pic like the first one? I want to see how much clearance there should be.

[bimmer630]

is your wheel bearing ok? if fit is maybe the knuckle bent??

[u3b3rg33k]

Steering rack is a relatively new reman, however I don't see that causing problems with the positioning of a ball joint...

wheel bearings are brand new - problem persists.

Shop says nothing appears bent, and I'm sure they'd happily take my money if swapping it would fix it - they get nothing if I buy new wheels and tires.

[MR 325]

How long ago were the tie rods replaced? Brand?

I've seen cheap aftermarket brands have clearance issues with bottlecaps.

[u3b3rg33k]

about 3 years ago, and I do believe they are aftermarket - they came on the reman rack, so I don't have a slip for them. Did BMW really spec only millimeters of clearance between the wheels and the tie rods?

[MR 325]

Yes, the clearance is minimal.

Change the tierods for something new. Meyle is a great cheap option.

[jlevie]

about 3 years ago, and I do believe they are aftermarket - they came on the reman rack, so I don't have a slip for them. Did BMW really spec only millimeters of clearance between the wheels and the tie rods?

The tie rod end clearance is not much, but in this case I think the problem is the non-BMW tie rods. Replace them with ones from BMW or made by Lemfoerder (the OE supplier).

[u3b3rg33k]

Huh - I didn't think anyone would make out-of-spec parts on purpose. how annoying.

[reelizmpro]

Huh - I didn't think anyone would make out-of-spec parts on purpose. how annoying.

The conversation goes like this...

Engineer: I found these joints that are good enough but they are a bit larger than stock.
Manager: How much bigger?
Engineer: Not much, only a few millimeters.
Manager: Can we get away with it?
Engineer: Sure, but it may be an issue with those running stock wheels.
Manager: What year and model are these for?
Engineer: 84-91 BMW E30 sir.
Manager: Sheeettt nobody with that car is going to be running stock wheels anyway.
Engineer: True dat.

[michaelpjones]

I've had the same issue before,

The problem is they make one outer tie rod that is tapered and one that is not.
And one inner tie rod with threads that fit and threads that don't

If you buy the Meyle "tie rod set" of inner and outer they don't taper the knuckle, they don't fit.
But if you buy the just single outer tie rod, they fit problem free.
If you buy the single inner tie rod the threads fitting to the rack are too long.
The inner tie rod in the set fits just right

It's completely stupid.
So buy new rods from a company that cares to make correct fitting parts and all will be well.