I am in the middle of replacing just about every suspension, steering, and braking part on my 86 Z28, and have run into a problem with the outer tie rods rubbing the inside of my wheels.

I am using, or trying to use, racecraft drop spindles, spohn tie rods, c5 brake upgrade, 2" wheel adapters, and c5 z06 wheels (OEM 17x9.5 54mm offset, not replica). From what I have read in other threads, I should be fine with the 2" adapters and the added .3" from the brake hubs because others have used 2.25" without a problem...

Is there anything you guys can think of that might be causing this? Is it just my combination of aftermarket parts not working together like I had hoped? The only solutions I can come up with are thicker adapters (I will by new wheels before I go with thicker adapters), or new wheels (I was planning on upgrading to 18x8 wheels in the future anyway).

 

17's that are wide enough will hit the tie rod with stock spindles. the drop spindles will make this worse. no way around it except larger spacers and pushing the wheels out further.

any pics of how close it is? do you think a 18" wheel will clear?

 

How much does it rub? I have 2" spacers with my replica ZR1's 17x9.5 54mm offset and I had to grind the edge of the tie rod down between 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch.

I didn't realize they were rubbing until I got into the car and tried to move and the car wouldn't roll easily.

My other set of ZR1's are the different offset that sit further out, by a few millimeters and have plenty of clearance for an un-modified tie rod end.

But I am surprised that yours rub with the brake kit kicking the wheel out a tad.

 

I tried to get a few different angles.

 

my tie rod is inside the wheel and rubbed the top edge of the bottom of the wheel.

 

I would get a spacer if you have enough room in the wheel well for the tire so as for the tire not stick out... also have you measured your wheel adapters to make sure they're actually 2" adapters... I don't know from who or where you bought them at.. for all I know you bought them on eBay as some Chinese knockoffs... ...

 

I think the difference is that your running dropped spindles vs those that aren't.

My 17"/5"bs's are real close to the rim lip, but since I don't have dropped spimdles, I clear. With dropped spindles, I'd definately be in the same situation as you. Probably worse actually.

Its not as much room as the pic looks like. I couldn't fit the end of a 3/8" (what was closest on hand) combination wrench in there flat ways.


Looks like you are either going to need to add 1/8" to your spacer thickness or grind the tie rods for the extra room.

 

what's the purpose of drop spindles vs oem ?

 

lower the car without changing springs and struts and keeping OEM geometry on the front.

 

and without changing geometry, which is the main reason

 

im thinking about getting the drop spindles one day whenever i get more into building up my 92. I was planning to get the ones for the rack and pinion, with the shorter steering arm for just this reason, better wheel clearance, then use a slow ratio box to get the turning speed reduced back down, and make some steering stops for the a-arms. Would be using 18's, and from yoru pics, should have enough room for the tie rod.

just thinking out loud.

 

ohhhhhhhhhhh... just what I thought... ... my car is low enough..

 

May want to look for a tie-rod end that is more rounded near the fitting as opposed to being squared off.

 

I seem to be having the same problem with my tie-rod ends. My completely stock '84 Z28 is scraping there, as well as the lip of both struts. I tried hammering the lip down, but if the wheel completes a turn it will knock off the plate weights on the inside of the wheel. I've been advised to grind the tie-rod ends, but I'm stuck on the struts. These are definitely some aftermarker ZR-1s. 17x9.5 & 17x11. 285/40 & 315/35. The back adapters are 1.5" & the front are allegedly 2" but that might be my problem. Any new suggestions?

 

Do you know the offset of the front wheels? I ended up selling my wheels and ordered custom wheels that aren't as wide. They should ship on Monday, and I will finally be able to drive my car again.

 

I'm running 17" x 9", 5"bs up front and have about 1/4" (at best) between the wheel & the tie rod end, so your problems surprise me any.

I know with an 18" wheel, the rubbing problems would exist, because those parts could fit "inside" the wheel without hitting. With a 17" wheel.....If you go too far out? It rubs the fender. Too far in? It hits the tie rod and/or strut lip. And you've found the "sweet spot" where it hits both.

So.....I don't have much of a new solution for you. Just rolling the lips and grinding the tie rod ends & strut lip. I'm assuming your car is lowered, otherwise the fender rubbing problem shouldn't exist.