The new springs will cost me $200 installed and the guy gaurenteed they won't rub, which i see impossible b/c they aren't inside the fender lip and rub alll the time.

Or I can go w/ smaller tires(i was thinking 255/60/15, right now i have 275/60/15) but I will lose traction and I'm afraid they still wont be small enough, and I like the way the big meats look. They will run about $140.

Any ideas??

BTW: The backspacing on my rims is 4.5 IIRC. Is there anyway to use that to find out the largest tread width I can run.

Also: Before I had the 16x8 Rims on w/ the WS6 suspension. Maybe u can compare backspacing or something??Just an idea??

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According to Summitt the backspacing on the 15x8 Street Stars is 4_1/8".

I don't know the stock backspacing on the 16x8 rims, tho.

 

good

 

4.125" or 4.5" is not enough back spacing, that is where your problems are coming in. 275 50R15's are pretty descently sized tires, so your back spacing should be more like 5". You shouldn't be that far off on the fitment though. Do the tires extent beyond the outside of the fender? It is the outside of the tire you are having rubbing problems with isn't it? If so, with great care and time you can hammer the lip on the inside of the fender well up. If you are careful you won't damage the fender or the paint job. You may want to place a small board on the lip and hit the board instead of the lip directly. This helps prevent any mishaps denting the fender and helps keep things from kinking. This will give you about another inch of room to the outside of the fender. This will probably cure your rubbing problem, and best of all its free.

[This message has been edited by Dr. Pepper (edited July 26, 2000).]

 

The tires don't stick out past the fenders but they are only inside them by about 1/8 inch. Yes the rubbing is occuring on the outside of the tire. They are soo worn down I'm suprised they still hold air. Maybe I'll try bending the lip and see if they still rub.

Any other ideas?

 

I forgot to mention one other thing, do you have all poly bushings in the rear suspension? The rear axle can move about some from deflection of the bushings, when tire clearances are tight this is unacceptable. Considering the shape of the tire, if you have all poly bushings and hammer the lip I think it will cure your problems. On a really hard turn you may still rub a little, but nothing like now. Still your options from here remain about the same. 1) narrow the axle 2) change the rims for ones with more back spacing 3) modify the fender to make room to the outside 4) keep the axle from moving and twisting around as little as possible to maintain what room you do make. As a quick fix you can move the joust bumpers down on the rear axle. Washers should be able to accomplish this, SLP has taller bumpers for this purpose. This will limit your suspensions travel, that way the tires can't go up enough to hit the fenders. I would only use it as a quick fix to save tires, limiting the rear suspension travel is not a good idea.

 

Is it hard to narrow the axle? That would move the tire in right...that would cure my problem along w/ bending the lip.

BTW..thanx for all the ideas and info.