Tires rubbing on fender
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: California
Tires rubbing on fender
New to the forum, Just picked up and '05 80k miles manual for 18k.
So far all has been good, although I have noticed that it is rubbing quite a bit in the rear. It is sitting on z06 stocks with brand new nittos on them. It also has lowering bolts all around. I figure it is simply rubbing due to the fact that it is lowered + bigger tire, but where I need help on is how to fix it. Not sure if I should upgrade the shocks or springs, or If it might require more than that. Just looking to stiffen it up a bit. To put into reference, It has a 2 1/2 gap between the tire and fender so there is a good amount of distance but still rubs.
So far all has been good, although I have noticed that it is rubbing quite a bit in the rear. It is sitting on z06 stocks with brand new nittos on them. It also has lowering bolts all around. I figure it is simply rubbing due to the fact that it is lowered + bigger tire, but where I need help on is how to fix it. Not sure if I should upgrade the shocks or springs, or If it might require more than that. Just looking to stiffen it up a bit. To put into reference, It has a 2 1/2 gap between the tire and fender so there is a good amount of distance but still rubs.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,505
Likes: 3,634
Need photo's, but if you mean that the tire is rubbing on the tip of the fenders, with the tire protruding past the fender tip, will needed new rims, since tire crashing into fender tip from wrong rim off sets, will end up with entire fender panels shatering to pieces.
Hence this is really bad, and going to end up badly as entire fender panel is destroyed as the tire is sent into one one good bump.
https://preview.redd.it/6h3urdtc3n19...=webp&54147ed1
As for tire inside the fender lip and just rubbing on the inside of the wheel well liner, dump the aftermarket ride height bolts, reinstall the oem type ride height bolts and although you can lower the car down, make sure to corner balance it correctly. Front and back just slammed down on the ride height bolts all the way up, will not have the car correctly corner balanced.
To add, sucks that you have to fix the old owners problems with the car, but becoming more normal that you may think as they got older.
Hence this is really bad, and going to end up badly as entire fender panel is destroyed as the tire is sent into one one good bump.
https://preview.redd.it/6h3urdtc3n19...=webp&54147ed1
As for tire inside the fender lip and just rubbing on the inside of the wheel well liner, dump the aftermarket ride height bolts, reinstall the oem type ride height bolts and although you can lower the car down, make sure to corner balance it correctly. Front and back just slammed down on the ride height bolts all the way up, will not have the car correctly corner balanced.
To add, sucks that you have to fix the old owners problems with the car, but becoming more normal that you may think as they got older.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 635
Likes: 271
From: Hampton, VA
The suspension on a base non Z51 car is fairly soft, and it will rub on bumps. Unfortunately, while the Z06 wheels physically bolt up just fine, they really don't fit the car. Z06/GS/ZR1 rear fenders are 1.5 inches wider on each side than a base corvette, and thus the wide body wheels are wider and have different offset. You really should purchase a set of base model wheels, replica wheels, or aftermarket wheels that are designed to fit your car.
If you don't choose to fix this, perhaps you enjoy the look, find a Z06 or ZR1 take off rear spring to swap in, that may help you out some.
If you don't choose to fix this, perhaps you enjoy the look, find a Z06 or ZR1 take off rear spring to swap in, that may help you out some.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 635
Likes: 271
From: Hampton, VA
to stiffen the ride without breaking the bank, a take-off Z06 rear spring would help. to raise the ride height, you can do that for free buy adjusting the bolt/pads between the spring and the control arm. commonly referred to as "lowering bolts"
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