Back wheel rubbing off wheel arch

Ham Sambo

Hu guys.
I have a 1999 Mitsubishi Space Star 1.3 petrol with 237k miles on it, over the past week or so I noticed a shimmy or wobble coming from the drivers side rear wheel, when driving slow it was more noticeable and the whole car would wobble, as I said the car has 237k miles on it and I don't really want to spend anymore on it at the moment, however if I got another few months out of it I'd be quite happy.

This evening while the wobble was still coming from the back wheel I also noticed that the same wheel was rubbing off something although not too sure what, When I got home I noticed that wheel arch was just about sitting on the same back wheel, could just about push my hand between arch and tyre. Haven't really got a lot of funds to fix it yet, so any advice from you guys would be much appreciated.

PS: I failed to mention that the same tyre needs changing..would this have any bearing on the above? a mate of mine suggested it may be a warped tyre, and as I don't have a mechanical background I hadn't got a clue what he meant and didn't want to ask him.

blackbox

I suggest that you jack it up and spin the wheel by hand. It should be very obvious if the problem is with the tyre or the wheel or bearing.

If it is a tyre problem you should change it before driving again - i.e. while you have it jacked up.

If the wheel is bent, likewise change it immediately. A second-hand replacement may be an option for a spare.

If the wheel bearing has collapsed, you'll probably need a mechanic.

colm_mcm

If its just the wheel arch lining dropped, cable tie it back together.

I'd be worried about the wheel though. Don't drive it till you know what's up.

Ham Sambo

I am getting the tyres sorted tomorrow a.m. but the fact that the tyre appeared to be rubbing off the wheel arch worries me, would you guys reckon it is safe to drive considering the wheel arch is so close to the tyre? I drove it about 10km today.

colm_mcm

Oh hang on, you mean the actual body of the car hitting off the tyre? Broken spring or something?

Ham Sambo

Yeah.. I can just about squeeze my hand between the tyre and the body, it was making an awful intermittent rubbing sound (for want of a better description) especially when I went around a corner or started moving of from traffic lights etc.

vwhead

if the body of the car is sitting on the wheels then its more than likely worn springs. if that is the only problom dont worry about the tyre rubbing off the arch aslong as its not taking lumps out of the tyres just keep an eye on it its safe to drive when its rubbing just try and stay out of potholes or stuff like that

CJhaughey

Be careful driving a car sitting low like that, if the spring has broken there could be a sharp edge sitting very close to the tyre.
I'd get it checked by a competent mechanic, they may even have another spring that could fit and keep you going.
Your roadholding and safety will be compromised by suspension failure.

Ham Sambo

UPDATE!!

Brought the car to a tyre shop this morning and got sorted, turns out that the tyre was the main problem, got a shock when the guy showed me the old tyre after he removed it and deflated it, anyway car has two new tyres and wobble and rubbing noise is no more, thanks again guys for the advice.

Wheelnut

vwhead wrote: »

... then its more than likely worn springs...

Wow!

Ham Sambo

Wheelnut wrote: »

Wow!

Springs are knackered, but changing car end of February!