Fiat Palio Stile 1.6 - Fender eating the tyre

RAINMAKER · 6th April 2010, 13:20

Classic case of the Fence eating the crop.

I shod my Palio with Michelin Energy + 185/70/R14 tyres a week ago. Took it for to my native. While going to Ooty, it was just me, my wife & my 4 month old kid along with loads of luggage. The car drove like a dream, just gliding over the good and bad roads alike.

On the way back we were 4 adults and little luggage. We were doing speeds of 100 - 120 when we hit a dip on the road. It was not a pot hole. The road itself was like a smooth trough. Something like this ==\____/==. When the vehicle went down and came back up we heard some scrapping noise and pulled over immediately. We noticed that the fender skirting for some reason had bulged out and it was hitting the tyre (rear left wheel). The brand new tyre was cut and in some places chipped. Wonder why the fender bulged out? I "hammered" the skirting back into place and we started driving again.

We hit a trough once again and history repeated itself. This happened nearly 4 times.

Have put some pics. Will report this to fiat and see whats the reason for the fender skirting to bulge out.

planet_rocker · 6th April 2010, 13:27

185/70 R14 is a wrong upsize like i mentioned in your garage (deleted??) and PM.
Ideal size in a 1.6 is 185/60 R14 & 185/65 R14 & 195/60 R14.

Quote:

if the stock size in your 1.6 is 175/65 R14, then upgrades should have been 185/60 R14, 185/65 R14 & 195/60 R14.

185/70 R14 is kinda wrong IMO - 185/70 R14 is an upgrade from 13 incher IIRC.

but if it suits you - nothing like that.

So it is not suiting you?? get them changed - best of luck

Nikhilb2008 · 6th April 2010, 13:37

It's your tyre choice which is the problem.

RAINMAKER · 6th April 2010, 13:37

The tyres are good. Gives me an added lift which has helped me cruise over some real nasty roads in my native.

You are missing the point. Why is the fender skirting coming out ? Is there something wrong with the body ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker

185/70 R14 is a wrong upsize like i mentioned in your garage (deleted??) and PM.
Ideal size in a 1.6 is 185/60 R14 & 185/65 R14 & 195/60 R14.

So it is not suiting you?? get them changed - best of luck

planet_rocker · 6th April 2010, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAINMAKER

The tyres are good. Gives me an added lift which has helped me cruise over some real nasty roads in my native.

But the main point is - wrong upsize - the wheel well has limitation of accomodating a particular sized tyre.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAINMAKER

You are missing the point. Why is the fender skirting coming out ? Is there something wrong with the body ??

Body is absolutely ok. The Tyre size is wrong. Get them changed and i guess you will get a higher exchange value.

else - you can downsize from 14 to 13 incher alloys in 98 PCD and continue using the current tyres - which, IMO, is not a good idea.

the current tyres will show incorrect Odometer and speed readings.

directinjection · 6th April 2010, 13:48

While your upsize is above the recommended limits, it seems that apart from moving vertically, the tyre is also moving horizontally while going through potholes and depressions. So perhaps something is wrong with the suspension, especially if the other side tyre is not scraping the fender. Get a suspension check up done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker

else - you can downsize from 14 to 13 incher alloys in 98 PCD and continue using the current tyres - which, IMO, is not a good idea.

the current tyres will show incorrect Odometer and speed readings.

How can he use the current tyres when he downsizes the rim from 14" to 13"?

CliffHanger · 6th April 2010, 13:51

The fender skirting coming out is not on its own but because it is being hit by the tyres. There should be enough space between the tyre and the fender for the tyre to move freely, so it's the tyre size, 185/70 R14 , the culprit.

sukiwa · 6th April 2010, 14:12

Due to increased sidewall height, gap between tyre & fender has reduced. Hence, tyre is touching fender when car goes over varying road level.

Assuming that tyre size earlier was 175/65R14, let's look at sidewall height earlier & now.

175/65R14 --> 113.75 mm
185/70R14 --> 129.5 mm

Had upsize been 185/60R14, it would have been 111mm which is close stock tyre.

planet_rocker · 6th April 2010, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by directinjection

How can he use the current tyres when he downsizes the rim from 14" to 13"?

Ooops! my bad - thanks for the correction. that very moment i was thinking of 185/70 R13 tyres. My mistake.

Sorry.

bullinb · 6th April 2010, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffHanger

The fender skirting coming out is not on its own but because it is being hit by the tyres.

+1. When you get out of the the dips in the road, the momentum would have completely compressed the suspension. From the pics it is obvious that any steering movement at this point would have caused the tires to hit the fender resulting in those bulges.

Change the tire ASAP - they may not even be safe after being cut and chipped so badly.

bbops1 · 7th April 2010, 22:22

rainmaker

i have faced the similar problem with my s10.

i had the fender projection (of .5 inch) flattened towards the inside for the entire area on both sides no issues after that.

i have 205 60r14 yokohamas on.

bbops

machinehead · 9th April 2010, 13:05

Like everybody else here has said..its the wrong upsize mate...!. No use in complaining to FIAT on the issue, the fault is yours to begin with. The fender has bulged due to a little flex from the speed at which you hit the trough and with the added load in the car. Metal does flex a little as you would know and the tyre has carved that portion out.

I use 185/65 R14 Bridgestone Potenza GIII, upsized from the stock horrible Goodyears GPS2 175/65 R14, and there are absolutely no issues, Luggage and 5 people up on any kind of roads. Its good for bad roads, better sidewalls etc, makes the car look butch but somehow I think I will stick to the 175/65 R14 s when they are due for a change. The car looks sleeker with them. Personally , I would nt recommend spacers and stuff cos it tends to create other issues within the system.

Filling up your wheel arches just for the heck of it or for cosmetic reasons is not the way to go. Check the Tyre upsize chart here or on the PUG archives.

Remember, The wrong upsize can ruin your riding experience and change those cut tyres fast else u can have a burst at high speeds and u may end up in someones backyard uninvited for Lunch...! ...Now nobody wants that....!!!!

cheers.

RAINMAKER · 14th April 2010, 12:46

Taking advice of ownership experiences, I shod the Palio Stile 1.6 with Yokohama A Drive 185/65/R14.

Got a very good deal from Sai Iyengar.

Original Price Paid = 5 x 3800 (Michelin) = 19000 (including balancing & alignment)

Cost of Yokohama = 5 x 3400 = 17000 (including balancing & alignment)

Buy back Michelin (1200 kms used) = 3 x 3400 (used) + 1 x 3800 (unused - spare) = 14000.

Paid = 3000 & got the Michelin chipped tyre back (didnt give it - will be used on the terrace top for seating purposes !!!!)

Vivek

planet_rocker · 14th April 2010, 18:30

wish you all the best

how about pics of the car with new tyres?

directinjection · 15th June 2010, 15:28

I was just wondering if the fender would have got damaged if:

the driving had been sedate, or
load were less, or
the rear suspension were raised using spacers

185/70 does offer the advantage of good cushioning over 185/65.

@Rainmaker: was your spare wheel 185/70 too? Did it fit in the spare tyre cavity in the boot?

6th April 2010, 13:20	#1
RAINMAKER BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 146 Thanked: 82 Times View My Garage	Fiat Palio Stile 1.6 - Fender eating the tyre Classic case of the Fence eating the crop. I shod my Palio with Michelin Energy + 185/70/R14 tyres a week ago. Took it for to my native. While going to Ooty, it was just me, my wife & my 4 month old kid along with loads of luggage. The car drove like a dream, just gliding over the good and bad roads alike. On the way back we were 4 adults and little luggage. We were doing speeds of 100 - 120 when we hit a dip on the road. It was not a pot hole. The road itself was like a smooth trough. Something like this ==\____/==. When the vehicle went down and came back up we heard some scrapping noise and pulled over immediately. We noticed that the fender skirting for some reason had bulged out and it was hitting the tyre (rear left wheel). The brand new tyre was cut and in some places chipped. Wonder why the fender bulged out? I "hammered" the skirting back into place and we started driving again. We hit a trough once again and history repeated itself. This happened nearly 4 times. Have put some pics. Will report this to fiat and see whats the reason for the fender skirting to bulge out. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 13:37	#3
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,136 Times	It's your tyre choice which is the problem.
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 13:51	#7
CliffHanger BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 756 Thanked: 1,597 Times	The fender skirting coming out is not on its own but because it is being hit by the tyres. There should be enough space between the tyre and the fender for the tyre to move freely, so it's the tyre size, 185/70 R14 , the culprit.
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 14:12	#8
sukiwa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: pune Posts: 2,377 Thanked: 2,562 Times	Due to increased sidewall height, gap between tyre & fender has reduced. Hence, tyre is touching fender when car goes over varying road level. Assuming that tyre size earlier was 175/65R14, let's look at sidewall height earlier & now. 175/65R14 --> 113.75 mm 185/70R14 --> 129.5 mm Had upsize been 185/60R14, it would have been 111mm which is close stock tyre.
	() Thanks

7th April 2010, 22:22	#11
bbops1 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 32 Thanked: Once	rainmaker i have faced the similar problem with my s10. i had the fender projection (of .5 inch) flattened towards the inside for the entire area on both sides no issues after that. i have 205 60r14 yokohamas on. bbops
	() Thanks

9th April 2010, 13:05	#12
machinehead BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 27 Thanked: 26 Times	Like everybody else here has said..its the wrong upsize mate...!. No use in complaining to FIAT on the issue, the fault is yours to begin with. The fender has bulged due to a little flex from the speed at which you hit the trough and with the added load in the car. Metal does flex a little as you would know and the tyre has carved that portion out. I use 185/65 R14 Bridgestone Potenza GIII, upsized from the stock horrible Goodyears GPS2 175/65 R14, and there are absolutely no issues, Luggage and 5 people up on any kind of roads. Its good for bad roads, better sidewalls etc, makes the car look butch but somehow I think I will stick to the 175/65 R14 s when they are due for a change. The car looks sleeker with them. Personally , I would nt recommend spacers and stuff cos it tends to create other issues within the system. Filling up your wheel arches just for the heck of it or for cosmetic reasons is not the way to go. Check the Tyre upsize chart here or on the PUG archives. Remember, The wrong upsize can ruin your riding experience and change those cut tyres fast else u can have a burst at high speeds and u may end up in someones backyard uninvited for Lunch...! ...Now nobody wants that....!!!! cheers.
	() Thanks

14th April 2010, 12:46	#13
RAINMAKER BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 146 Thanked: 82 Times View My Garage	Taking advice of ownership experiences, I shod the Palio Stile 1.6 with Yokohama A Drive 185/65/R14. Got a very good deal from Sai Iyengar. Original Price Paid = 5 x 3800 (Michelin) = 19000 (including balancing & alignment) Cost of Yokohama = 5 x 3400 = 17000 (including balancing & alignment) Buy back Michelin (1200 kms used) = 3 x 3400 (used) + 1 x 3800 (unused - spare) = 14000. Paid = 3000 & got the Michelin chipped tyre back (didnt give it - will be used on the terrace top for seating purposes !!!!) Vivek
	() Thanks

14th April 2010, 18:30	#14
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	wish you all the best how about pics of the car with new tyres?
	() Thanks

15th June 2010, 15:28	#15
directinjection Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 1,703 Thanked: 780 Times	I was just wondering if the fender would have got damaged if: the driving had been sedate, or load were less, or the rear suspension were raised using spacers 185/70 does offer the advantage of good cushioning over 185/65. @Rainmaker: was your spare wheel 185/70 too? Did it fit in the spare tyre cavity in the boot?
	() Thanks