275 tires
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Louisville ky
275 tires
Before I knew as much as I do now (and when I actually trusted "experts" with my car for some reason), a tire place recommended BF goodrich 275's for my 81. They look great and it has been 2 years since I purchased them, but too late I realized they rubbed in places. I ended up having to move the parking brake for the rear (which cleared the rubbing there), but if I steer too sharp, the front still rubs somewhere inside the wheel well. As frustrated as I am, it is my own fault for not researching, driving, and testing the tires more before it was too late to take them back and downsize. Other than having to be careful when steering, can I cause any damage to anything up front besides the tire? If anyone has any recommendations or advice besides buying 2 new tires please advise. I am sure I screwed up though. I am suspicious and second guess everyone with my vette now. I REALLY wish I knew what I know now back then...
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Louisville ky
This was also before I found this forum too. Now I check with real experts before I do anything, not some bozo selling me tires. They probably saw there was a problem and just didn't want to say anything because they would have to remount tires. They probably knew I didn't drive it much and wouldn't realize till later down the road. I still know where the store is too. I will never go back there again. If anyone wants a set of 275's with about 3K miles on them, I have a nice set.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: McComb Ms.
my '79 takes "if i remember right, its in storage" 225's on front and 235's on back. Was told on this forum that it varies with each car because they're all finalized individually and it varies .When i bought my car the tires rubbed in turns onto high curbs etc. I have since found out i had a stud missing from my lower driver A-arm and after repairing that mine haven't rubbed since. Also you have to consider the rims, backspace,width etc. i wanna say my rims are 8"width with 3.75 backspace..backspace is the distance between lug holes and the inside edge of the rim.
You shuold be able to see where your tires are rubbing and make a decision on the damages.Your tires sound like they may be a little big to me. Someone else may have experience with trying that size tire
You shuold be able to see where your tires are rubbing and make a decision on the damages.Your tires sound like they may be a little big to me. Someone else may have experience with trying that size tire
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Winston-Salem NC
Shouldn't hurt anything, as long as the tire isn't rubbing against anything sharp that would cut it. If it's only rubbing at full-lock of the steering wheel, it's a low speed thing anyway... might rub a shiny spot on the inner fender or something, but you should be ok.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Louisville ky
I don't know why I didn't take them back way back then. It took me awhile to realize there was a problem. I see a shiny spot on the inside of the wheel well, but so far no damage. I guess I could always keep this set as spares for the rear in the future and eventually get a correct set for the front. I do like the wide tires, I need to move the parking brake bracket and re-install the parking brake cable to really make them work in the rear.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
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From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Shouldn't hurt anything, as long as the tire isn't rubbing against anything sharp that would cut it. If it's only rubbing at full-lock of the steering wheel, it's a low speed thing anyway... might rub a shiny spot on the inner fender or something, but you should be ok.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
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Without mods, the largest you can run is 235-55 in the front and 255-50 in the back. Incedentily, these sizes will also provide you with a tire (27") that is exactly the same heigth as the original/stock tire, just wider. In the front you are probably rubbing against the frame. Jack the car up and crank the wheel all the way over and spin the wheel with your hand while laying underneath. My bet is that it is the frame the tire is rubbing against, which wouldn't cause too many problems. Just don't crank the wheels "lock-to-lock". You aren't going to turn a car as long as a Sting Ray around in one shot on a normal street anyway. So the extra turning radius you will be missing isn't going to make that much difference.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 410
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From: Wichita Kansas
Exactly where are the tires rubbing? My 295/35/17's rub on the front part of the frame and sway bar, no sharp areas, so did my 275's? Hasn't hurt a thing in thousands of miles of street use or AutoX time. My rears use to rub on my exhaust pipes. A two lb sledge hammer fixed that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
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From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
To be safe I'd say 245/60/15 or 255/60/15. Wish I could offer you a 100% size, I run 265/50/15 front and 295/50/15 back and have no issues at all on our 79 with stock trailing arms. But again my suspension is all new, which might account for a different height.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 155
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From: Bowmanville Ontario
Exactly where are the tires rubbing? My 295/35/17's rub on the front part of the frame and sway bar, no sharp areas, so did my 275's? Hasn't hurt a thing in thousands of miles of street use or AutoX time. My rears use to rub on my exhaust pipes. A two lb sledge hammer fixed that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
I'd be very worried if you have any potential clearance issues at the front in particular!
Whilst you might be able to get full lock to lock when stationary, the dynamics change a great deal when there is cornering G's and/or bumps in the road.
One of our club members learnt the hard way..... He just fitted some beautiful new wide tyres all round on his 69 vert, and subsequently ripped his front fibreglass guards when negotiating a carpark turn at full lock and didn't see a pot hole. He wasn't going fast, but the nice new tread pattern clearly grabbed the guard edge on the rebound from the pot hole, and ripped it.
Whilst you might be able to get full lock to lock when stationary, the dynamics change a great deal when there is cornering G's and/or bumps in the road.
One of our club members learnt the hard way..... He just fitted some beautiful new wide tyres all round on his 69 vert, and subsequently ripped his front fibreglass guards when negotiating a carpark turn at full lock and didn't see a pot hole. He wasn't going fast, but the nice new tread pattern clearly grabbed the guard edge on the rebound from the pot hole, and ripped it.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 286
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From: Pensacola Fla
You did not say if your rims were after market,different offset.Factory tire size was 255/60/15 all around.Your front wheel wells are relieved for the 255's.Earlier cars were not releived for the wider tires and needed to be modified to accept them with the stock offset rims.Later Geno
Last edited by 69elky; Mar 27, 2008 at 02:03 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Louisville ky
So could I get (2) 255/60/15's and replace the tires in the front and keep the current 275's in the back on my 81? I don't have any rubbing issues in the back now that I moved the parking brake. I just wonder how it affects ride height. I could keep the 275's and drag race the spares or I could see if the original tire place that sold them to me in 2002 would make a deal for the 255's. I found the reciept and I had 85,500 miles on it when the tires were purchased. I now have 89,000. They didn't check for rubbing, I haven't driven it enought to notice. What do you think? I don't drive it enough for sure. They are BF Goodrich so new ones should match as far as the logo.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
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From: Boulder Creek California
Exactly where are the tires rubbing? My 295/35/17's rub on the front part of the frame and sway bar, no sharp areas, so did my 275's? Hasn't hurt a thing in thousands of miles of street use or AutoX time. My rears use to rub on my exhaust pipes. A two lb sledge hammer fixed that.
255 60R15 was a factory optional tire size after some mid-year so unless you've got an early C3 there is no reason these should be a problem front or rear.