This is for you guys who have done the big wheels and tires thing, how wide have you gone without rubbing?

Here's my situation, '03 Z06, CCW 18X11.5 classic 3 piece wheel on the rear, Michelin PS 335-30-18 on the rears. We've lowered it about 3/4 - 1 inch in the rear. I'm getting occasional very brief contact with the top inside of the tire and the inner wheelhouse. Not enough to show any signs of wear on the tire, but scuffing on the wheelhouse itself. I'm trying to resolve the issue with a minimally invasive solution. Here's the options I've considered;

1. Check the alignment and realign (did lowering change the geometry enough to cause rubbing?)
2. I've heard of guys using a 1/8 - 1/4" spacer on the rears to address clearance (is this acceptable(safe) doable?)
3. Mini tubbing is always an option I guess but somewhat more involved ($$) and isn't a trivial fix)
4. Trim the wheelhouse to allow for clearnace (hmmm not nuts about that)
5. Should I go with a different shock configuration like Bilstein Sports for example (will this help with the overall suspension geometry enough to prevent rubbing?)
6. Change the ride height back to stock and forget about it...

I really like the lowered look and I've heard of other guys slamming their Z's with this same configuration so what's different about mine?

Thanks for weighing in on this and any help you might offier!

Merry Christmas!
TJ

 

Ok I have the same set up.

I have 'naturally' trimmed the inside of the wheel well. i.e. it just bubbed out. If I sell the car ( not likely ) I would put in new wheel wells.

Mini tubbing is NOT an option as it narrows your rear wheel track and be less stable on high speed corners.

I have now put on longer axel lugs and use a 3/8 in spacer as I also have some 18x12 CCW rims.
I purchased the longer lugs from summit racing and lug nuts from NAPA.

I regular track my car and there are very very secure.

Good luck

 

Thomas,

Thanks for the input, I'm glad to know I'm not the only guy dealing with this minor irrantant.

Did you actually trim the inner wheel well liner to clear the tire?

Second where did you find your spacers?

Has anyone else tried anything different to resolve the rubbing?

Thanks much gang,
TJ

 

This is a well discussed topic over the last 3-4 years. For additional information try doing a search, and click on my website for a pic.

I have used 18s on all 4 corners 18X11.5 in the rear with 335/30s and 18X10.5 in the front with 285/30s and 285/35s. The only time I have got rubbing is when I have had greater than .25 negative camber....however that was with the stock shocks and the Bilsteins. I switched to some HAL adjustables and now when I go over a big bump (railroad tracks.etc..) I get an occasional rubbing at the top as the wheel comes up...my car is also lowered to 26.75" in the rear. I have inspected and it is just minor rubbing on the inside plastic piece of the wheel well. It is not enough for me to realign or raise my car....although I have considered changing back to Bilsteins or better shocks (Koni/Penskes).

Just for reference I used these same wheels on my 97 with zero problems.
Happy Holidays.

 

Ran them on my '01 with minimal contact also. No Big Deal.

 

Hey Al,

As you know this is your old setup and I love em.

I did raise it about 1/2" from my initial lowering which is the usual lowered point on the rear (2 threads showing on the stock rear bolts). I did this to eliminate the minor rub while I worked through the options. I do want to go further with my lowering, just need to find the right setup for my '03 Z.

Shinobi, thanks for the tips, I've searched the lowering question before just hadn't found much on Z's and clearance issues. If you were buying shocks would you go the coilover route or the Bilsteins? Any major difference one way or the other? Al any thoughts on this?

Happy Holidays!
TJ

 

Just curious, what do you guys define as "minimal rubbing"? "Minimal" for one person may be another person's nightmare. Can you provide some real-world examples as to what you'll tolerate or consider "minimal"?

Thx

 

I Had The Same Problem "minimal Rubbing" No Damage To Inside Of Tires Just Some "scrape" Marks On The Fender Well. I'm Running 335 30 18 On 12" Rims Fom House Of Wheels. Had 4 Wheel Alignment Checked And It Was Dead On. Contacted Ccw, I Believe, And Ordered 1/4" Spacer, Installed And No More Problems With Rubbing!

 

Nope I did not trim the inner wheel well. As I mentioned it was trimmed naturally, i.e. the tire rubbed it away.

The spacers I purchased were I go the wheels, CCW

IMHO as far as negative camber of -.25 that is not even to the STOCK level, but I might be wrong. Currently I am using:

Front Camber: -1.75 degrees per side
Front Caster: + 6 degrees per side
Front toe: 0 to 1/16" total toe out
Rear Camber: -1.25 degrees
Rear toe: 1/8" total toe in

However, I do not drive on the street much soo I am not worried about tire ware.

You might be able to purchase small spacer from an auto parts store. Take your lug bolt pattern size and take a look at a few stores.

and Happy Holidays

 

I wouldn't worry much......my rears only rub when I have a passenger.and not much!
Im using 335 on the rears and 285 up front.

 

I don't see a need to go with Coilovers, unless you want to start "Tracking" the car. Bilsteins would be a Great choice. I'm running '04 Z06 shocks on the '01 and really like them. As far as rubbing goes... They never rubbed on the street, just when I ran AutoX and drove very aggressive.
Happy Holidays!
Al

 

Thanks for the feedback Al.

I appreciate it. I think I'm going to move the wheel assembly out a 1/4" with spacers and then proceed with lowering and look into the Bilsteins. I'm guessing that you are running the Sports? I'd like to keep the ride quality as comfortable as possible. How is the comfort factor with the Sports?

Thanks again, Happy Holidays!
TJ