Rear tires rub going over dips - never did this before

[thebigwawa]

My 2010 S4 has 99K miles and has been the most reliable Audi I've ever owned. And I've had 12 of them.

This started about 10 days ago: whenever I go over a dip, the rear tires rub. And they rub loudly. It does not happen going over bumps. At first I thought it sounded like metal scraping metal, but I'm pretty sure it's the tires rubbing.

I'm running 20x9 wheels with 255/35/20 tires. Now I know specs state that I should have 255/30 on 20" wheels on a B8 S4, but I wanted the extra cushion considering Chicago roads suck!

I've had these tires on the car for a few years and I've never had any issues with rubbing. Not until very recently.

I put about 60K miles on the car in the 4 years that I've owned it. I have not replaced shocks, struts or springs in that time.

I'm not terribly mechanical inclined, but I wonder if the springs are to blame. Any advise or insight would be greatly appreciated!




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[shonseb]

Did you add any weight in the back recently? Recent alignment?

[thebigwawa]

Did you add any weight in the back recently? Recent alignment?

I swapped out the wheels recently, so I had a set of wheels in the car the first time I heard it. But I still hear it with no added weight in the car.

No alignment recently.

And the suspension is completely stock.


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[whts4]

Have you been able to identify where it is rubbing? Usually if the width of the wheel/tire combo is too wide it will rub on the rear inner fender where the bumper and fender meet. Do a quick check to see if there is any rubber or scrapped paint at this location. If the tire is hitting up inside the wheel well I'd suspect weak/worn springs and/ or struts.

[whts4]

What is the offset on the wheels?

[thebigwawa]

Have you been able to identify where it is rubbing? Usually if the width of the wheel/tire combo is too wide it will rub on the rear inner fender where the bumper and fender meet. Do a quick check to see if there is any rubber or scrapped paint at this location. If the tire is hitting up inside the wheel well I'd suspect weak/worn springs and/ or struts.

Thanks I'll check.

Since I've had these tires on for quite some time and never had this issue, that makes me think something has broken or worn.


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[Race Shooter]

I swapped out the wheels recently, so I had a set of wheels in the car the first time I heard it. But I still hear it with no added weight in the car.

You said you had the tires for some time, but have recently swapped the wheels. Are you sure the new wheels are exactly the same specs (such as offset) as the old wheels? If they changed even a couple mm, that could cause it.

[sacandagaD]

You don't have ADS do you? If so, could that be a problem if malfunctioning?

[thebigwawa]

You said you had the tires for some time, but have recently swapped the wheels. Are you sure the new wheels are exactly the same specs (such as offset) as the old wheels? If they changed even a couple mm, that could cause it.

Yes I'm sure. Even if I wasn't, I've had both sets of wheels on this car with the same tires. And this is never happened before.


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[jdcarnes]

Like on speed bumps, no rub?
Little bumps in the road (like driving on concrete), no rub?
Going over rail road tracks, sometimes rub?
Coming out down a hill and it levels out, rubs at decent speed?
Complete stock suspension?

If yes to most of those, I would check your rear shocks. One or both could be blown or leaking.
How many miles are on your car? I've heard anywhere to 75k-100k miles to replace.
Your car sat like how mine did when my shock was blown.

I had the same issue with my car at 110k miles. The culprit happened to be the rear shocks. It's not hard to take them off and replace.

[jdcarnes]

I missed your miles part.

Also. I had 255/30 R 20 on a 20x8.5 et38 with a 5 mil spacer. The fit is similar.

[thebigwawa]

Like on speed bumps, no rub?
Little bumps in the road (like driving on concrete), no rub?
Going over rail road tracks, sometimes rub?
Coming out down a hill and it levels out, rubs at decent speed?
Complete stock suspension?

If yes to most of those, I would check your rear shocks. One or both could be blown or leaking.
How many miles are on your car? I've heard anywhere to 75k-100k miles to replace.
Your car sat like how mine did when my shock was blown.

I had the same issue with my car at 110k miles. The culprit happened to be the rear shocks. It's not hard to take them off and replace.

Yes to all those. And it looks to me that the wheel gap in the rear is less than the front.


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[thebigwawa]

Like on speed bumps, no rub?
Little bumps in the road (like driving on concrete), no rub?
Going over rail road tracks, sometimes rub?
Coming out down a hill and it levels out, rubs at decent speed?
Complete stock suspension?

If yes to most of those, I would check your rear shocks. One or both could be blown or leaking.
How many miles are on your car? I've heard anywhere to 75k-100k miles to replace.
Your car sat like how mine did when my shock was blown.

I had the same issue with my car at 110k miles. The culprit happened to be the rear shocks. It's not hard to take them off and replace.

By yes to all those, I mean you got it exactly.


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[jdcarnes]

By yes to all those, I mean you got it exactly.


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My 19's didn't rub. As soon as I put the 20's on, it did.
Also, people thought I had lowering springs on because of how low my rear sat. My difference from the front to the back was ~1"

It takes about 30 mins to take one side off and then about 10 mins to do the other side with the learning curve.

If you can compress them easily by hand once they are off, it's time to replace.
Also mine were dripping wet from the oil leaking out. So, you might not even have to take them off to tell.

[thebigwawa]

My 19's didn't rub. As soon as I put the 20's on, it did.
Also, people thought I had lowering springs on because of how low my rear sat. My difference from the front to the back was ~1"

It takes about 30 mins to take one side off and then about 10 mins to do the other side with the learning curve.

If you can compress them easily by hand once they are off, it's time to replace.
Also mine were dripping wet from the oil leaking out. So, you might not even have to take them off to tell.

Thanks for the advice. It's greatly appreciated!


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[whts4]

My 19's didn't rub. As soon as I put the 20's on, it did.
Also, people thought I had lowering springs on because of how low my rear sat. My difference from the front to the back was ~1"

It takes about 30 mins to take one side off and then about 10 mins to do the other side with the learning curve.

If you can compress them easily by hand once they are off, it's time to replace.
Also mine were dripping wet from the oil leaking out. So, you might not even have to take them off to tell.

What was the size of the 20" tires and the rim width and offset that rubbed? Which brand of tires?

[thebigwawa]

What was the size of the 20" tires and the rim width and offset that rubbed? Which brand of tires?

OEM Michelin 255/35/20 off my C7 S6

Wheels 20x9 ET 35



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[jdcarnes]

Thanks for the advice. It's greatly appreciated!


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Anytime!


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[jdcarnes]

What was the size of the 20" tires and the rim width and offset that rubbed? Which brand of tires?

255/30R20 Nankang NS-20
20x8.5 et38 with 5 mil spacer.

Trying to sell them since I bagged my car and want 19x10.


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[whts4]

255/30R20 Nankang NS-20
20x8.5 et38 with 5 mil spacer.

Trying to sell them since I bagged my car and want 19x10.


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Yeah, I think you might have cleared wo/spacers....but a 38 ET is on the tight side depending on the contour of the tire tread at the edges..

[jdcarnes]

Yeah, I think you might have cleared wo/spacers....but a 38 ET is on the tight side depending on the contour of the tire tread at the edges..

Even without the spacers it rubbed due to my shocks being bad. Only reason, I added the spacers was to make the wheels flush with the fender.


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