255 Tire rub
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
255 Tire rub
Bought a 81 with aftermarked wheels and 255/60 15s BFG. on a full turn the outer edge of tire rubs the back side of inner wheel well. Anyone have a fix idea?
thanks
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
1-2-3
1) Filing - I would need to a good hole plus the drivers has the mount for the canister right above the rub spot so I am unsure of removing material to weaken the mount area
2) A-Frame stop - I don't think it is up and down movement that is the problem but turning. The rim is wider so the outer edge of tire sticks out
3) Swap - I would love to have factory wheels instead of the ones on it. They are great but I like the factory better. However with a daughter in college there is no $$ for rims. Anybody wannt swap?
It almost looks like the best solution would be to cut and mold in a bubble where the rub is. How hard is the inner fenderwell to remove?
2) A-Frame stop - I don't think it is up and down movement that is the problem but turning. The rim is wider so the outer edge of tire sticks out
3) Swap - I would love to have factory wheels instead of the ones on it. They are great but I like the factory better. However with a daughter in college there is no $$ for rims. Anybody wannt swap?
It almost looks like the best solution would be to cut and mold in a bubble where the rub is. How hard is the inner fenderwell to remove?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
You cannot remove the inner fenderwell. Normally it doesn't rub there. It hits the fender first, because this is sticking out.
Normally behind the back of the inner fender there is a small triangular iron plate (splashshield of some sort).It is bolted to the frame I believe. When you loosen the bolts on the bottom where this plate is bolted to the inner fender, you can push it further back and then rebolt it. See how much relief you get.
Normally behind the back of the inner fender there is a small triangular iron plate (splashshield of some sort).It is bolted to the frame I believe. When you loosen the bolts on the bottom where this plate is bolted to the inner fender, you can push it further back and then rebolt it. See how much relief you get.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
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From: Shamong, NJ
Sounds like the backspacing is the problem. Corvettes require a 3 3/4" backspaced wheel, other Chevys use 4". P255R60/15's were optional on all 78-82's. On the 78-79's, Chevrolet trimmed the lower 6 to 8" inches of the forward inner wheel lip on Corvettes ordered with 255R60's. The redesigned 80-82 front fenders eliminated this clearence problem. I've never heard of any other front clearence issues using stock backspaced wheels and 255R60's on a 78-82.
If you don't have a wheel with 3 3/4" backspacing, you may need to use a quarter inch spacer (
) or replace the wheel to fix this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
DC
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Sanderson Texas
just dont turn full lock
mine rubb on the frame(fronts) at full locks
seen alot of 69-72 that rub on the lipp of the fenders which will mess them up on a bump
mine rubb on the frame(fronts) at full locks
seen alot of 69-72 that rub on the lipp of the fenders which will mess them up on a bump
Last edited by V77Vette; Oct 6, 2008 at 02:14 PM. Reason: spelling
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
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From: Shamong, NJ
67 "DC" wheels, 68 "AG" wheels and 69-82 "AZ" wheels are all 3 3/4" backspaced. 76-82 aluminum wheels have 3 3/4" backspacing, also. This was done to provide proper clearence of the trailing arms, or the PB cable bracket in particular.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Lubbock Texas
DC
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 286
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From: Pensacola Fla
It is your wheels,all 78 thru 82 had the relief cut in the inner fender bead from the factory due to the 255/60/15's added as an option.The rally and aluminum wheels cleared the front fenders with the 255's.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
The canister is right behind the rub. It does not seem to have touched the one remaining screw (other gone when I got car).
I did replace coil springs and the front is sitting lower. I am going to put the rubber rings under the coil springs (not the ones you wedge in springs) to regain height and see how that changes the rub. May still trim some. I would rather trim some than have the tire do it for me.
^^^^^ did not work, will not fit, grrrrrrr
Do springs come in different heigths?
I did replace coil springs and the front is sitting lower. I am going to put the rubber rings under the coil springs (not the ones you wedge in springs) to regain height and see how that changes the rub. May still trim some. I would rather trim some than have the tire do it for me.
^^^^^ did not work, will not fit, grrrrrrr
Do springs come in different heigths?
Last edited by dburgjohn; Oct 8, 2008 at 11:38 AM. Reason: add info
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: McLouth Kansas
Check your caster setting or maybe just set your caster to tilt the wheel a tad foward.
I had to do that with my 76,,,,,somewhere in its life it was wrecked and the frame had been pulled. I had to adjust my caster for a tire rub issue and move my lower ball joint back about 1/4 of a inch.
looking at your pic I think a small caster change would solve the problem.
I had to do that with my 76,,,,,somewhere in its life it was wrecked and the frame had been pulled. I had to adjust my caster for a tire rub issue and move my lower ball joint back about 1/4 of a inch.
looking at your pic I think a small caster change would solve the problem.