Symptoms
- Rubbing sound over bumps or with a full load of passengers/cargo
- Scuff marks appearing on the inside of the fender liner
- Rubbing that started after a suspension modification or new tires
Likely causes
- CommonVehicle overloaded beyond its weight ratingExtra weight compresses the suspension further than normal, reducing clearance.
- CommonWorn or sagging suspension springsWeak springs let the car sit lower than designed, reducing tire clearance.
- PossibleTires larger than stock sizeWider or taller tires than the vehicle was designed for can contact the fender liner.
What to do
- Check if rubbing happens only when loaded with extra passengers or cargo; if so, reduce the load.
- Inspect ride height by comparing to factory specs or looking for obvious sagging compared to when the car was new.
- Confirm tire size matches what's listed on the door jamb sticker or owner's manual.
- Have a shop inspect the springs and struts if ride height looks lower than normal.
- Address the root cause (overload, worn springs, or wrong tire size) rather than just trimming the fender liner, since rubbing can damage the tire over time.
Tools and parts
Replacement springs or struts if wornSearch: “suspension springs for [your car model]”
When to call a pro
A suspension shop can measure ride height against factory spec and determine whether springs, tire size, or load is the cause.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.