Hi all,

I am new to this forum and stumbled across it while researching my issue. I drive a 1997 Volvo 945 with the B200FT engine and M90 gearbox. I noticed this. Under full left lock, the left tire rubs against the control arm rod. I just had the car in for track alignment but the figures are fine and require no adjusting. The car also drives perfectly staight. When we had it on the ramp we went from lock to lock (engine off) and noticed that with full left hand down you can squeeze one finger between the left tire sidewall and control arm and with full right hand down you can put two fingers in the gap between the right tire sidewall and the RH control arm. So apparently the left wheel turns at a slightly higher angle, causing those scratchmarks when being turned to full lock with engine on. The shop that measured the track alignment had no further idea, except that the car might got a new steering gear at some earlier stage, and was somehow misaligned. Bushings on all components are tight and seem to be all fine. Maybe you guys have a hint at what to look for to get rid of this problem. I own the car since one year and under my ownership nothing has been changed down there and as far as I can tell all components are stock. Just to mention that it has 205 65 15 tires on Draco original wheels. No spacers, lowering etc. is installed.

Thanks a lot for any hint and greetings from Germany.

 

I'd double check your rims - check wheel-size.com for factory wheel sizes and tire combos. You should see an ET stamping to tell you the offset. The 205/65-15 doesn't look to be a correct tire size. for a 7 inch ET20 rim, you'd want 205/60-15. For a 6 inch ET25 you'd want a 195/65-15 tire. The other possibility is that while the toe in is correct, the tie rods are not centered (ie one is extended and the other is shortened but the alignment is correct, just not in the center of the rack. You may also have an incorrect after market part that is causing some geometry issues.

 

Thanks a lot for your input. The tires came with the car and since I was unsure about the size I checked with Volvo. They are endorsing that size but maybe it is indeed too chunky. Pity because I really like the look. But I alteady planned either to swap back to 195 65 or 16' Hydras on 205 55 tires (once a good set is available). I'll also check on the tie rod alignment.

Thanks again!