I got new wider tires for my '83. Was keeping an eye on the suspension height and noting how the car did over bumps. It was all good. Then, without even thinking, I had a couple people in the back for a nice afternoon jaunt and the extra weight was enough to push the rear fender lips into the tires. My wife, seeing how devastated I was, was nice enough to by my second pair.

Since I would rather not ruin this set I would like to figure out how I will go about alleviating the problem. Should I:

1) Roll the fenders.
2) Get taller springs
3) Get stiffer springs
4) Extent the bump stops.

I'm thinking, just to be safe, to do all of the above. If I were to get a spring an inch taller and stiffer than stock, what would be a good brand and model to get?

Will rolling the fenders with a wooden baseball bat work on a third gen? I've seen it done on STI's, but they have aluminum fenders.

I also have the option of getting new stock replacement springs, getting coil spring air bags, and filling them up whenever I plan on having extra weight in the back.

Any advice welcome. Bashing, too. I deserve it.

 

The option I'd go with is buy wheels and tires that fit under the fenderwell. Do you have any pictures?

I'd advise against rolling them with a bat. You will most likely warp the metal. Trust me. :-(

If it shreaded them and you must keep themput some air shocks on the back....

 

Do a proper tire/rim combination to stuff the tires under the fenders even if it means doing inner fender modifications or don't carry any extra weight in the car.

 

I think the tires look awesome he way they are. The car turns heads wherever I go since I got them. The steel wheels and bigger rear tires give it an old school muscle car appeal that most third gens don't have, so the wheel/tire combo stays. I'm going to look into new springs and the airbags.

 

What size tires are you running? I have 315/35/17's and ive gone through a pair just like you before i rolled the lips. No longer have the shredding problem. But if your tires are past the lips theres nothing you can really do but jack up the back

 

They're not past the lip, but right up to it. You could probably hold a yard stick against the tire and it will touch the fender lip.

 

In that case i say go and roll them. Find a shop or rent a fender roller/puller and do it the right way. I used a heat gun and a duct taped hammer to roll mine over, if you want to take the free route as i found the bat just wasnt rolling enough. Go real slow and even with the hammer and heat and you shouldnt crack the paint.

 

What size wheels do you have in the front and rear ?
What size tires on those wheels ?
Any photos ?

This is what I'm running to get that old school muscle car stance.

235/60r15 on 7in. wide wheels with a nice dish in the front.

255/60r15 on 8in. wide wheels with a nicer deep dish in the rear.

That gives me a taller and wider tire in the rear in a respectable size.

 

I have exactly the same wheel/tire combination as you. Front and rear wheels have 3.75" backspacing.

Have you every had the car loaded with four 200lb people? My '83 probably has the original springs and shocks. All things considered, not a good combination. Shoulda thunk...

 

I also have the 3.75 bs on my AR-23s and
I carry about 100 lbs of tools in the storage compartment in the rear covered with the lift up lid and privacy screen.
Its an old habit from the early days of my build and also it gives me a little better hook.
I have never had any one that was heavy in the back.
Heres what mine look like for fit and I would not run any thing else.
This set up is here to stay also.

 

I had the problem on my 4th gen and 315/35/17 tires. When it was a v6 it had rubbing issues but when the car was converted to a lt1 and z28 suspension the rubbing stopped.

try stiffer rear springs.

 

The rolling tools sell or rent on ebay..

Use ths right Tool the job..dont do hack work!

Heat the paint and use a sharp blade to score a line in the paint just in under the fender. About the place it will fold.. this will also stop.. any chipping/peeling of PAINT as it folds..with a fender roller...and keeping it warm/hot. As you roll it.

 

Just got a baseball bat from Goodwill for $6. I'm cheap sonofa...

 

Sorry I haven't gotten you those pictures yet. Here in Seattle it's either raining and not a good time to take pictures or not raining and time to get outside and play.

31 year old springs and 400lbs of dead weight in the back has to be what caused this. I'm going to order some heavy springs, maybe new shocks, and roll the fenders.

 

Let me know how the fender rolling goes. Ive heard conflicting things about it. Seems like the eastwood type roller should work, though.

 

Baseball bat didn't even budge the metal. I found an ad on craigslist for fender rolling. He charges $40 per well. I'll see how it goes.

 

I installed these springs and KYB Gas a Just shocks a while back.
Springs and keeping the isolators gave it a 1in lift in the rear but settled in at about 1/2in.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mog-5665
Between the two it has a stiff ride, just the way I want it.

 

I was thinking about the kyb gas a justs shocks as I read this. They are valved with a slightly stiffer compression to give them a performance feel. I have them in my 69 camaro.

I agree, new springs, and things outback would help. I would check out moog OE replacement springs and research the different spring options because I remember one was for heavy loads in back. That would be a good fix, but just rolling the fenders may do the trick. Good luck! Please post updates of your results.

 

QUOTE=cycleguy04;5880859]Baseball bat didn't even budge the metal. I found an ad on craigslist for fender rolling. He charges $40 per well. I'll see how it goes.[/QUOTE]

II picked up a used Eastwood fender roller for $50 ....it will be for sale soon.

 

II picked up a used Eastwood fender roller for $50 ....it will be for sale soon.[/QUOTE]

You're in Spokane, I might be interested. Let me know when you are done.