I have had a set of P255/60R15 Firestone SS radials on all four corners of my 69 convertible for a numbers of years now. Been driving it for a number of years with these tires and no issues. Up until just recently i have never had any issue with tire rub in the front. I noticed the other day that when I turn my wheel completely to the right I'm now getting a little tire rub on the passengers side in the lower front wheel opening right in front of the rocker panel. Turning the wheel fully to left I have no issues?? So I don't know if my springs have started to settle a little more in the front or what?? The car has been fully aligned and drives very nice down the road. What is best way to gain a little more clearance in front? I really do not want to go to a narrower tire in the front and the stance of the car is real nice right now. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Maybe your A-arm bushings?

 

The car had a frame off done less than 10 years ago and all the suspension including a-arm bushings (uppers and lowers) were replaced with brand new hardware???? I think it was always close but i think the suspension has finally settled enough to where now it is a issue. I have heard some people claim that installing the Bilstien shocks made there cars sit a hair higher but I have kind of have hard time believing that and if it did do they finally settle down a little too.

 

That wide of a tire is too large for the design parameters of the early C3 wheelwells. Many of those cars would never take a wheel that wide on the front (some will, of course). Alignment change, parts wear...anything could take it 'over the edge' and cause a rub. 235's are the widest wheel that you can guarantee will fit in an early C3's front wheelwells.

 

7T1vette thanks for the input. Kind of interesting article I used when purchasing tires a number of years ago.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/MoreBite.pdf
I may end up having to purchase some new front tires when its all said and done. I was hoping I might find a way to give me just a little more clearance in the front some how and keep my current tires.
Thanks again.

 

I have a 69 coupe big block with BFG 255 60 15 all around and have had not rubbing at all.

 

You could put a 1/4" spacer on the fronts( I have them on my rears for spring clearance).... or get smaller tires.

 

Since it's only happening at full right and even then just a little, without going and looking at where the stops are, if it's hitting a mechanical stop (I think there is one cast into the spindle yoke) can you add a small pad (ie washer) to the stop to prevent it from going that last little bit at full right?
If it's limited by the steering arm, maybe just need to adjust the tie-rods over to the left 1/2 or one turn and recenter the wheel
Not something I've played with as of yet so I'm probably wrong.
Mooser

Edit
I remember reading somewhere that the later vettes with the 255/60 optional tires needed to have the bottom front and back of the front fenders trimmed for clearance. I don't know this for sure, only what someone else wrote and since the 69 didn't have the flare it may not be relevant

 

Very true, the later cars had what was called QBS option which actually had a different fender.

The issue you are having is one we had today. We installed 235-70 R15's firehawks on a 1971... they rub.

The original size tire were a F70x15 on all 1969-72 cars... or converted.. 215/70R15

The issue that going wider brings.. Say... for example the tires we tried to install today: The original tread width was 6.75" The firehawk 235 is 7.25". The diameter of the tire is also .25 taller than a normal 235 radial... (we measured a new eagle gt today, same size different diameter) What this means is that you have .50" wider tread or .25 further out. Add this to the .25 larger in diameter and you have tire rub.

I have 235-70-r15's on my 72 and never noticed until today that I have about 1/8" between both fenders when I turn the wheel. Way to close for my liking so I'll have to change these soon.

So..combine this with what others above have mentioned, throw in a little body mount bushing wear, possibly some other busing wear and you have an invite for a major issue.

How did we solve the problem today? We ordered 215x70xr15 firehawks. They are about 1/2 inch less in diameter and should clear just fine.

Tire size conversion chart ----> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...sionchart.html

IMHO
Willcox

 

No rub on mine same size on stock rallys.

 

255/60-15 BFG'S no issues here, but is very cose full lock and compressed suspension.
You will find the width of tread varies in the same size tyres manufacture to manufacture