S60 Tire Rub

ginger · Post by **ginger** » 09 Mar 2009, 10:01

Just wondering if anyone has experience with or ideas for fixing tire rub on an 03 S60. I have stock size tires (235-45-17 i think) and every time I make a tight turn the tires rub. It's always at low speeds - usually parking - so I'm not worried about damaging the tires. It's just gotten to the point where it's annoying and at times embarrassing. It's done this for the entire time I've owned it (2 years) and I'm just getting tired of hearing it.

Any ideas?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 09 Mar 2009, 15:32

Welcome to MVS.
Go to your dealer and complain that a car that is only 2 years old should not be doing this and that it has been doing this since the beginning. Truth is, they can put longer stop locks on the front suspension that keeps the wheel from turning in so much. This is good for the tire rub but will make your turn radius much wider- meaning that you won't be able to turn as sharp as before. This still might be acceptable to you and the dealer should accommodate you. If they don't, then we can help you find the part numbers for this...then you should buy the stop locks and have an independent (cheaper) place install them. Or...just don't turn as sharp as you're turning. Unfortunately all of the newer Volvo designs suffer from this issue to some extent- some more than others.

ginger · Post by **ginger** » 09 Mar 2009, 16:02

Thanks for the welcome,
It's 6 years old (i've only had it for 2) and has probably done this from the start. If the only solution means an even wider turning radius then I'll definitely learn to just live with it. I have a hard enough time parking it now.

Thanks for the info though!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 09 Mar 2009, 16:17

Well, there are a couple of other possibilities:
1. The tire on your car is actually wider than what is recommended (not sure of what is recommended for your car).
2. The springs have sagged and so the car is actually setting closer to your tire than what is normal...thus turning tight makes it rub more than it would normally.

I still think it's probably normal to some extent- yeah, you'll learn to live with it and not turn it so tight. My S70 rubs too on tight turns. The only time I forget and turn it this tightly is when I'm backing out of the garage (stupid neighbors built a fence right up to the edge of our driveway).

Post by **JRL** » 10 Mar 2009, 06:41

It IS common.
They ALL do it with this size tire.
The BRAND of tire makes a difference.
Volvos come with Pirellis as they have a narrow tread block.
Your easiest "fix" is to add 5mm spacers to the front wheels, on most Volvos this cures the rubbing!

As MIJ said they can put larger steering stops but the turning circle will then be more like a battleship!

ginger · Post by **ginger** » 12 Mar 2009, 17:09

excellent tips.
thanks!

bshinn · Post by **bshinn** » 15 Mar 2009, 19:32

My 01 V70 has done this the whole time I have had it. Same tire size & I have replaced the stops with the black (largest) ones. I am thinking of adding spacers, but I don't know if 5mm will do the trick. After mine start rubbing, I get about 20deg of steering wheel rotation B4 I hit the stops.

BayBum38ft · Post by **BayBum38ft** » 30 Mar 2009, 09:08

My 04 S-60 T-5 had the tire rub since I bought the car new. My dealer installed the stops and did a 4 wheel alignment. Rub is gone but I have a larger turning radius now.