front tires rubbing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
front tires rubbing
I currently have 255/60-15 tire. I just noticed the back of my front tires is rubbing the car as shown in the picture. From what I read, most people are rubbing on the fender lip. Is there a problem with my steering moving too far or is it just the wrong size tire? Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Tire size is fine...check and make sure your lower control arm is not cracked. I had that issue and was I ever glad I found the problem.
Tell tale sign is if it pulls to one side more than usual or especially when under the influence of braking.
Good luck.
Tell tale sign is if it pulls to one side more than usual or especially when under the influence of braking.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Wrong tire size. The 255/60R15 was an optional tire on later C3's and even then the factory trimmed the wheel wells. Some earlier C3's are fine, and some are not. It is on a vette by vette basis.
I must admit, though, I have never really seen it rub on the frame.
I must admit, though, I have never really seen it rub on the frame.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
I will check the lower control arm to make sure that's ok. If it is the tire, I'm guessing 225/55-17 will be ok. That's as close to the stock 215/70-15 size that I can find. Will this tire size fit my new 17x8 rim? How will 225/55-17 look? Anybody has any picture of it? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I think that 235's are the largest that should go on the front end of a '71. Others will disagree, but 245's and up will likely rub. I don't throw my car into .9 G turns, so I don't need the larger front tires. Actually, I have 225's on the front and 235's on the back. I think I will go 235's all around, when I replace them next time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: THE Eastern Shore Maryland
Is it possible to have worn control arm on that side, as opposed to a cracked one?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Very normal rub mark with this tire.
You can see it also rubs the fire wall lower skirt when the car lifts off or the wheel drops into a ditch during steering. The tire is just too wide for this model.
You can continue like this as it only happens during full steering and this is only done when parking the car or maneuvering it at very slow speeds.
235 front is fine.
Günther
Very normal rub mark with this tire.
You can see it also rubs the fire wall lower skirt when the car lifts off or the wheel drops into a ditch during steering. The tire is just too wide for this model.
You can continue like this as it only happens during full steering and this is only done when parking the car or maneuvering it at very slow speeds.
235 front is fine.
Günther
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
I agree. Mine does the same - seen it a bunch... but I don't know if any 255 was ever offered as optional on a C3 - I don't think they even had that tire size ratings back then.
Also - each vette is glued up differently. I do not know what the tolerances were - but the skirt could vary quite a bit - and compound the rubbing at the back of the tire.
Last edited by kaiserbud; Apr 18, 2007 at 09:19 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mid-Coast Maine
I have Goodyear Eagle ST 245/60/15's on my 69 convertible and have a slight amount of frame rub on both front wheels where the rear of the tire touches the frame. See pics.
However, there doesn't seem to be any problems with the edge of the tires.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
However, there doesn't seem to be any problems with the edge of the tires.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
I agree. Mine does the same - seen it a bunch... but I don't know if any 255 was ever offered as optional on a C3 - I don't think they even had that tire size ratings back then.
Also - each vette is glued up differently. I do not know what the tolerances were - but the skirt could vary quite a bit - and compound the rubbing at the back of the tire.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
In my simular case, the 255's onlly rub when the steering is full over, as in parking. One of these days, I will extend the steering stops to overcome this. In the mean time, I don't think this is a problem, as there is nothing sharp to hurt the tires. I DO try not to crank the steering farther than 90%, so it doesn't rub.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Jetdoc, if you pull to one side hard, combined with poor behavior with rubbing, you owe it to yourself to check that control arm....trust me on that. I narrowly escaped a disasterous situation and I suspect my family is pretty happy I did.simply jack one side up and inspect. a crack will mean that you flex, when you flex you rub at best, at worst.....it gives at the wrong time.
I disagree with some peeps here on the rubbing with that tire size. It isnt o.k. and its not something you should just live with, period.
Besides being both annoying and disconcerning, its also going to be stupid dangerous as you will have to monitor wear, which is almost impossible.
going 50 on a hairpin and losing your tire could kill you......proper tires likely wont.
Cheers to all and no offence, were allowed to disagree.
I disagree with some peeps here on the rubbing with that tire size. It isnt o.k. and its not something you should just live with, period.
Besides being both annoying and disconcerning, its also going to be stupid dangerous as you will have to monitor wear, which is almost impossible.
going 50 on a hairpin and losing your tire could kill you......proper tires likely wont.
Cheers to all and no offence, were allowed to disagree.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Australia
I currently have 255/60-15 tire. I just noticed the back of my front tires is rubbing the car as shown in the picture. From what I read, most people are rubbing on the fender lip. Is there a problem with my steering moving too far or is it just the wrong size tire? Thanks.
The metal on mine had worn and the wheel was hitting the frame before the knuckle was hitting the stop. We used a mig and built up the plate on the control arm. Eliminated the problem.
Maybe that is your solution?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: THE Eastern Shore Maryland
Torture Test, thanks for the advise. Will check it out this weekend.
Jetdoc, if you pull to one side hard, combined with poor behavior with rubbing, you owe it to yourself to check that control arm....trust me on that. I narrowly escaped a disasterous situation and I suspect my family is pretty happy I did.simply jack one side up and inspect. a crack will mean that you flex, when you flex you rub at best, at worst.....it gives at the wrong time.
I disagree with some peeps here on the rubbing with that tire size. It isnt o.k. and its not something you should just live with, period.
Besides being both annoying and disconcerning, its also going to be stupid dangerous as you will have to monitor wear, which is almost impossible.
going 50 on a hairpin and losing your tire could kill you......proper tires likely wont.
Cheers to all and no offence, were allowed to disagree.
I disagree with some peeps here on the rubbing with that tire size. It isnt o.k. and its not something you should just live with, period.
Besides being both annoying and disconcerning, its also going to be stupid dangerous as you will have to monitor wear, which is almost impossible.
going 50 on a hairpin and losing your tire could kill you......proper tires likely wont.
Cheers to all and no offence, were allowed to disagree.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Nice Lake Ontario
One other thing I did notice, my 69 with 255x60 BFGs on the front would follow road irregularities, after I switched to 235x60s that problem went away!! Maybe it was because the diff brand wasn't so flat across the surface, I don't know but it sure handles a LOT better.