front tires rub

tlbryant · 07-17-2001, 12:29 AM

Front tires -P225/60R15's- rub the lower front fender extensions on hard turns. Service bulletins (SB013428 & SB006569) describe the problem, but offer no solution. Any idea what was prescribed to remedy this problem? Thanks

MDM · 07-17-2001, 11:13 PM

What year is your car? I would guess you have the stock wheels, as the tires indicate they are 15 inchers. Have you lowered it? I am running 235/55/16s on the front of my 1992 GT now and have run 245/45/16s in the past with no problems. You could always go with a lower aspect ratio of the same tire width: 225/55/15 or 225/50/15. That should cure the problem.

tlbryant · 07-17-2001, 11:54 PM

Its an '89, stock aluminum wheels, and I believe the standard size wheels as delivered. Sevice bulletins on the subject mention a modification to the fender extionsions, but no explanation of what these are.

LincoConti87 · 07-18-2001, 01:17 AM

Well I have a suggestion...since it is over 10 years old...if either your shocks or springs are really worn out they would allow more travel and possibly enough to make contact in hard turns or hitting a bump while turning. I had an 86 Cougar that had worn shocks in rear and I could use my thumb and make it move up and down a few inches. Maybe check suspension bushings too

RMARIANI · 07-18-2001, 06:47 AM

I have an '89 GT. I bought a set of 17", '93 Cobra rims. The guy I bought them from told me that I might have to swap my fenders & fender extensions because Ford made the wheel well opening bigger from '91-'93 to accommodate the larger 16" rim. After doing some research (measuring my friends '91 LX fenders) I found this to be true. Its less than an inch, but I guess if it's close, this could make a big difference. All that being said, in your case your using your original rims. Like MDM said, if you go with a lower tire, this might solve your problem.

untamed351 · 07-18-2001, 07:48 AM

My 85 has 225/60ZR16 in the front feneders havent been changed. i have no rubbing problems at all.
all ford did was roll the fenders to allow more clearence. i have seen some people try but you can end up screwing up you paint job. Take it to a body shop, they should be able to get you the clearance you need.

07-17-2001, 12:29 AM	#1
tlbryant Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Keokuk, Iowa Posts: 4	front tires rub Front tires -P225/60R15's- rub the lower front fender extensions on hard turns. Service bulletins (SB013428 & SB006569) describe the problem, but offer no solution. Any idea what was prescribed to remedy this problem? Thanks

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07-17-2001, 11:13 PM	#2
MDM Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Flemington, NJ USA Posts: 166	What year is your car? I would guess you have the stock wheels, as the tires indicate they are 15 inchers. Have you lowered it? I am running 235/55/16s on the front of my 1992 GT now and have run 245/45/16s in the past with no problems. You could always go with a lower aspect ratio of the same tire width: 225/55/15 or 225/50/15. That should cure the problem.

07-17-2001, 11:54 PM	#3
tlbryant Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Keokuk, Iowa Posts: 4	Its an '89, stock aluminum wheels, and I believe the standard size wheels as delivered. Sevice bulletins on the subject mention a modification to the fender extionsions, but no explanation of what these are.

07-18-2001, 01:17 AM	#4
LincoConti87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tallahassee,Florida,USA Posts: 188	Well I have a suggestion...since it is over 10 years old...if either your shocks or springs are really worn out they would allow more travel and possibly enough to make contact in hard turns or hitting a bump while turning. I had an 86 Cougar that had worn shocks in rear and I could use my thumb and make it move up and down a few inches. Maybe check suspension bushings too

07-18-2001, 06:47 AM	#5
RMARIANI Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: New Jersey Posts: 167	I have an '89 GT. I bought a set of 17", '93 Cobra rims. The guy I bought them from told me that I might have to swap my fenders & fender extensions because Ford made the wheel well opening bigger from '91-'93 to accommodate the larger 16" rim. After doing some research (measuring my friends '91 LX fenders) I found this to be true. Its less than an inch, but I guess if it's close, this could make a big difference. All that being said, in your case your using your original rims. Like MDM said, if you go with a lower tire, this might solve your problem.

07-18-2001, 07:48 AM	#6
untamed351 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Belmar, NJ Posts: 52	My 85 has 225/60ZR16 in the front feneders havent been changed. i have no rubbing problems at all. all ford did was roll the fenders to allow more clearence. i have seen some people try but you can end up screwing up you paint job. Take it to a body shop, they should be able to get you the clearance you need.