Spirit R/T wheel issues

[rx2mazda]

So here is my latest problem. Actually, I have had this problem since I bought the car but now I want to figure out what is going on and fix it. My drivers side wheel sits farther forward in the wheel well than the passenger side When I turn full right, the tire will actually touch the body! There is a very noticeable difference is the wheel placement in the wheel well from driver to passenger side. I had a carfax and it showed no accidents or anything. From underneath I can't see any evidence of foul play. Please, if you have had this problem or know whats going on.....share. Here are pics.

Passenger side, 2 fingers fit


drivers side, 1 finger fits


Passenger side


Drivers side


passenger side turned full left, not touching


Driver side turned full right, touching

[speeduphoria]

well somethings not centered, maybe the K frame is a little crooked, although it cant move much due to the studs that locate it.

[Ondonti]

I would start measuring the distances from parts of the chassis to parts of the suspension/wheel hubs etc.

See where the inconsistencies are.

[Pat]

I've had two other Spirits that were exactly the same. I haven't figured it out yet.

[detobias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeduphoria well somethings not centered, maybe the K frame is a little crooked, although it cant move much due to the studs that locate it.

I am guessing mis-mounted K-frame

there is a fair amount of "wiggle room" even with the studs ; loosen all 4 K frame bolt/nuts and see if you can shift it a smidge

[Reaper1]

K-frame is a possibility, however in my experience this problem has always been caused by mismatched suspension bits from '89/'90 with '91-up stuff.

There were several discussions about this a while ago, I beleive myself and CS Racer were both contributors to the threads. IIRC the mismatch between cast a-arms and '89/'90 spindles caused this issue do to the different location of the ball joint.

Being an R/T it *should* have cast a-arms and the 11" brake package with the bolt-on caliper adapter. If not, then the spindles are not correct and that is more than likely the issue.

If this is not the case, and those parts are correct, then the next place I'd look is worn a-arm bushings.

HTH some....

[jracecrazy]

dont mean to open an old thread, but i just wanted to know if you ever fixed the problem. i now have the same issue with my 92 daytona.

[Polygon]

I would start with what reaper is suggesting. I just put my k-frame back in and it doesn't seem there's enough wiggle room for it to be causing that kind of difference. Then again I could be wrong. However, to be honest they both look like they're to far forward to me. Also, it would be pretty easy to check the k-frame. Just loosen the two bolts and nuts that hold it in and push it as far back as you can and bolt it back up.

[Vigo]

The k-frame will bend if you hit a curb with one side. I have had the exact same problem and fixed it with a come-along under the car :) Put it on an alignment machine myself afterwards and everything was able to be adjusted into spec.