I installed some KYB shocks and struts on my 91 RS and at the time I had 18'' Irocs. I decided to take the Irocs off and put back the stock 16's. As soon as I pulled out of the driveway my front end sounded like it was going to fall off. It turned out to be the front shocks were grinding against the stock rim on the inside outer lip but just the front ones. I tried hammering the edges of the shocks but still no improvement. Is there anything I can do to remedy this problem without putting a bigger rim on it, please help. Thanxs in advance for any info.

 

I have KYB's, and I had to gride on the back side of them so it didnt hit the chassis/spring perch.

I daily drive 15x7's, and occasional s10 16x8 rims with no problems.

 

You did WHAT!?!?!?!

Think about how a strut works... basically a steel rod slides along a STRAIT path in and out of the housing, and it controlled by highly pressurized gasses inside it

Now think how hammering it into a sight U will affect operation
1) Youll break the seal and your 60,000 mile struts will become 500 mile struts
2) It wont slide strait and you will have a very rough ride
3) You'll change the wheel camber since the strut to chassis connection replaces the upper A-arm front suspension and changing the angle by hammering the strut will tilt the spindle in the direction you hammered it. So your tires will wear faster
4) Any warranty you 'HAD' on the struts will be gone

Solutions
1) Put the bigger wheels back on it
2) Use wheel spacers
3) Buy correct struts designed for the car

Seriously... if yall had a NO2 bottle and tryin to fit it somewhere it it doesnt fit, do yall seriously hammer/grind the freakin bottle to make it fit? Sheesh
Common sense please

 

There is a slight bit of play or adjustment where the strut mounts to the spindle. You may be able to loosen these two bolts and line the units better. There shouldn't have been enough slop to allow rubbing but maybe your strut or spindle holes have enlarged? Did you torque the strut down with chassis loaded to 155 foot pounds?

 

- you did put the wheels labeled "FRONT" on the front didn't you??? The off-sets are different front/rear on factory 16's...

 

I was'nt pounding on the actual strut, I was hitting it more on the bracket side's. I also was working on it all day into the night and when you have a couple beers in you at the time it seemed like the most obvious thing to do even though it wasn't. The shocks were for that certain make and year Camaro. I will try the spacer thing though. Will stacking a couple of the ones that are in the factory rear end work? Thanks for the suggestions.

 

File a complaint with the shock/strut comapny since the struts dont fit correctly, prolly get your money back

You can add as many wheel spacers as you like aslong as you can still thread the lug nuts, or buy a spacer that has lug studs in it

 

I know EXACTLY what your goin through, i had the same problems on my 91 with my TT2's, i hammered at them for a while and just rounded off the parts that were grinding.... done and done, and ive had mine for 4 years, no problems, take a grinder to them for better results..... You shouldnt have to remove much, even try adjusting them if you can, i did that too