Ok I know when we turn our cars our tires may hit the wheel well somtimes and cause some scratching to grinding nooise right? Well after hearing that aweful noise I decided to check it out for myself. Upon further investigation I found that my tires have shaved a descent sized hole into my well. I am talken like 4inch hole. The driver side has the hole in front and the passenger side has been shaved down in the back of the wheel but has not developed a hole.

So my real question is can this be fixxed? One friend of mine suggested maybe my shocks were screwed up and the car was sitting to low on the tires but the hole is in front not above it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanx


Tom

 

Springs hold up a car and provide it's ride hieght...not shocks. GM made two different wheel well plastics for our cars. I believe the first goes from 82-87 or 88. The second which is supposed to be a little different shape was used on the rest of the years. You may be able to get the second version which may help. I have the same problem and am going this route.

 

Also make sure that your front wheels are on the front and the rear wheels are on the rear. The backspacing is different between the two pairs, and that could contribute greatly to the rubbing. Also, for alot of thirdgens, anything more than a 235/55/16 up front is to much and will rub on full lockout.

 

I had that same problem for about 3 months, but i just recently got new struts and no more problems!!

 

Um my front tires are 245/50r/16...... I wanna buy new tires but will smaller tires still fit that rim fine? Also how much are those new fender walls? I have an 86 trans am and I think u mentiond that changed them after wards. I just can't bare to hear that disgusting noise anymore lol. Thanx for all your help..


Tom

 

On my 86 T/A I have 235/60 R15's and they fit just fine. No rubbing on full turn. Are u running stock rims or aftermarket? If aftermarket, your offset may be too negative and need to use a spacer for a positive offset.

 

I have stock rims as of now. So basically all I have to do is get smaller tires in the front? Will it handle just as good or make the car a little rougher. Really not sure as to what that would do. Thanx

 

The panel can be called a "panel" or a "liner"

FIREBIRDS ONLY for sure:
From 82-88 they were called a panel
82-88 Part #
RH - 10037881
LH - 10078275

Realizing the wheel rub problem they changed the part slightly and the name to boot. NOW called a "Liner"

89 - 92 Part #
LH - 1079115
RH - 1079114

How they attach is similar, but the early ones used pop platic things and the later ones I think screwed on.

John

 

I would get two good used tires from the junkyard or a tire shop. Get them balanced and try different sized tires. I think your alignment would be more of a reason for the "ride", but you can check that out. The 245's might just be a little big. Maybe a spacer will help.

 

Every third gen I've ever owned or rode in has had the tire scraping problem..

 

Like I said above, my dad switched from the 245/50/16 to the 235/55/16, both were bridgestone potenza re 910's. It quit rubbing after he switched. The actual sidewall profile is nearly the same height between the two tires, and a skinnier tire is less likely to grab the ruts in the road too

 

According to Year One, the newer design will work fine with the older models.

 

...granted my car is a 92, but it does have 152, 00 miles on it, and I run 255/50/16 up front with NO rubbing ever....

Hell, the only rubbing I have is a slight rub from the rears.......
295/50/16

Adam

 

I have slight rubbing issue up front on full locks. I have 245/50/16s (came that way from factory on my 90 ws6 formula). I have minor rubbing on the backside like described. I plan on taking a 5 pound hammer this winter and fixing it though

 

I"M GLAD TO HEAR THAT THIS IS COMMON! i thought my frame was bent or something. !