Rear Tires Rubbing Help!

NitroNixon · 08-18-2003, 11:29 AM

I have a 87 GT Hatchback with 265 50 15 tires in the rear. The tire keep rubbing against the inner wheel welds, and the body, now it's starting to cut through the side of my tires.

A friend of mine suggested that I buy air shocks to adjust the height of the rear.

Would this work? I'm trying to keep the rear from bouncing up and down when I drive over a bump in the road. If possible I'd like to make the rear as stiff as possible but have slight bounce to it.

Would could I buy to make this work?

rwhite65 · 08-18-2003, 01:16 PM

I had a similar problem once, but mine was only rubbing the fenders. I put a set of shock Coil over springs (Auto Zone) on mine and that fixed the problem, but hurt my handling. Made the rear a little stiff...kinda jumpy on curves with bumps.
Ryan

NitroNixon · 08-18-2003, 01:24 PM

Thanks for the advice, would that be my only fix? How much did it cost you to do this?

rwhite65 · 08-18-2003, 01:35 PM

the coil overs cost about thirty dollars 6 year ago from auto zone. The only other quick fix i can think of would be to put some air shocks on it. MY car is much older, but mayber the other guys can help out.......r your tires to wide for the car?
Ryan

NitroNixon · 08-18-2003, 02:07 PM

I'm looking into air shocks as we speak. I have 265's in the rear. I was told that you can go as big as 275 in width.

QuantumMotorsports · 08-18-2003, 03:11 PM

You can roll your fender lip and it won't change the look of the car or the handling. There is a lip of metal that sticks in on the fender, usually this is what rubs. You can cut it with a pair of tin snips or a cut-off wheel about every inch to two inches around the inside of the fender and then bend the pieces up so that it doesn't stick in as far. If you do this, be very careful when bending so that you don't bend the outside edge of the fender and make the paint crack.

NitroNixon · 08-18-2003, 03:26 PM

Thanks, I'll try that this evening when I get home.

Mustang_289 · 08-19-2003, 05:57 AM

We had the same problem with our stang, we rolled the fender well lip up and that took care of it. Simple way is to use a baseball bat with two people, put the car on level ground, in neutral put the baseball bat between fender well and tire, roll the car back and forth working the baseball bat from thiner to fat part of the bat.

88workcar · 08-19-2003, 06:39 AM

Forget the air shocks, and the coil overs. Get a set of AIR BAGS. they are only $62.00 from jegs. and yes roll the inner fender with an old bat, (not mother-in-law)

RBatson · 08-19-2003, 10:46 PM

If the only problem was with the tire rubbing against the lip, I'd consider rims with different backspacing. 265s should fit with the right backspacing, not sure with the 1.5" drop though. I have 265s on Welds with 5.5 backspacing and all I had to do was flip the quad shocks.

302 LX Eric · 08-20-2003, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RBatson
If the only problem was with the tire rubbing against the lip, I'd consider rims with different backspacing. 265s should fit with the right backspacing, not sure with the 1.5" drop though. I have 265s on Welds with 5.5 backspacing and all I had to do was flip the quad shocks.

That's what I was thinking too. However, maybe the 87's have different dimensions in the back wheel area than my 91? I have 275 BFG drag radials on Bogart 15x8.25" rims w/5.50 backspacing and mine don't come close to rubbing the fender. Actually, I had to remove the quad shocks as that is where mine was rubbing.

E

NitroNixon · 08-20-2003, 10:12 AM

Update,

Well, I went home yesterday and banged the inner well lips in with a hammer, so far no rubbing yet, but I haven't went over any speed bumps since yesterday.

I do have 15X7 weld wheels in the rear, but I don't know the backspacing for these wheels, because they were on the car when I bought it.

I'm also going to put new shocks on this weekend to see if that helps any. After looking at my rear shocks, and quad shocks, they both look to be original. What brand shocks do anyone recommend, at a decent price?

Stang_ROTY · 08-20-2003, 10:53 AM

Mine rub constantly and the lip is already rolled! Not much I can do except go with a narrower tire next time. The BFG drag radials I have were suppsed to be 10" wide and they're 10.5". I wouldn't suggest air shock b/c as far as I know they're not designed for performance (could be wrong though). I don;t want to change a thing in the suspension b/c my 60ft times are great (1.6 was the best). I have an air bad in the pass. rear spring (Eibach Drag launch kit) but haven't experimented with it yet. Good luck!

NitroNixon · 08-20-2003, 11:05 AM

Hey Stang_Roty,

I see you have a 69 351W, I just came across this same engine for free, and it's running. My uncle is giving it to me. How much did it cost you to make a 393 stroker?

88workcar · 08-22-2003, 05:16 AM

While we are on that subject. Is the BFG275 60 15 truly a 28" tire

302 LX Eric · 08-22-2003, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 88workcar
While we are on that subject. Is the BFG275 60 15 truly a 28" tire

Yes, the 275/60/15 is a 28.0" tire as per BFGs website.

I have the 275/50/15 version, which is 26.1" in diameter.

E

08-18-2003, 11:29 AM	#1
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Rear Tires Rubbing Help! I have a 87 GT Hatchback with 265 50 15 tires in the rear. The tire keep rubbing against the inner wheel welds, and the body, now it's starting to cut through the side of my tires. A friend of mine suggested that I buy air shocks to adjust the height of the rear. Would this work? I'm trying to keep the rear from bouncing up and down when I drive over a bump in the road. If possible I'd like to make the rear as stiff as possible but have slight bounce to it. Would could I buy to make this work? __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

08-18-2003, 01:16 PM	#2
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	shocks I had a similar problem once, but mine was only rubbing the fenders. I put a set of shock Coil over springs (Auto Zone) on mine and that fixed the problem, but hurt my handling. Made the rear a little stiff...kinda jumpy on curves with bumps. Ryan __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

08-18-2003, 01:24 PM	#3
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Thanks for the advice, would that be my only fix? How much did it cost you to do this? __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

08-18-2003, 01:35 PM	#4
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	other alternatives the coil overs cost about thirty dollars 6 year ago from auto zone. The only other quick fix i can think of would be to put some air shocks on it. MY car is much older, but mayber the other guys can help out.......r your tires to wide for the car? Ryan __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

08-18-2003, 02:07 PM	#5
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	I'm looking into air shocks as we speak. I have 265's in the rear. I was told that you can go as big as 275 in width. __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

08-18-2003, 03:11 PM	#6
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	You can roll your fender lip and it won't change the look of the car or the handling. There is a lip of metal that sticks in on the fender, usually this is what rubs. You can cut it with a pair of tin snips or a cut-off wheel about every inch to two inches around the inside of the fender and then bend the pieces up so that it doesn't stick in as far. If you do this, be very careful when bending so that you don't bend the outside edge of the fender and make the paint crack. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

08-18-2003, 03:26 PM	#7
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Thanks, I'll try that this evening when I get home. __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

08-19-2003, 05:57 AM	#8
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	We had the same problem with our stang, we rolled the fender well lip up and that took care of it. Simple way is to use a baseball bat with two people, put the car on level ground, in neutral put the baseball bat between fender well and tire, roll the car back and forth working the baseball bat from thiner to fat part of the bat.

08-19-2003, 06:39 AM	#9
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	Forget the air shocks, and the coil overs. Get a set of AIR BAGS. they are only $62.00 from jegs. and yes roll the inner fender with an old bat, (not mother-in-law) __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

08-19-2003, 10:46 PM	#10
RBatson Registered Member Join Date: May 1997 Posts: 3,028	If the only problem was with the tire rubbing against the lip, I'd consider rims with different backspacing. 265s should fit with the right backspacing, not sure with the 1.5" drop though. I have 265s on Welds with 5.5 backspacing and all I had to do was flip the quad shocks.

08-20-2003, 10:12 AM	#12
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Update, Well, I went home yesterday and banged the inner well lips in with a hammer, so far no rubbing yet, but I haven't went over any speed bumps since yesterday. I do have 15X7 weld wheels in the rear, but I don't know the backspacing for these wheels, because they were on the car when I bought it. I'm also going to put new shocks on this weekend to see if that helps any. After looking at my rear shocks, and quad shocks, they both look to be original. What brand shocks do anyone recommend, at a decent price? __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

08-20-2003, 10:53 AM	#13
Stang_ROTY Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Berkshire County - Massachusetts Posts: 735	Mine rub constantly and the lip is already rolled! Not much I can do except go with a narrower tire next time. The BFG drag radials I have were suppsed to be 10" wide and they're 10.5". I wouldn't suggest air shock b/c as far as I know they're not designed for performance (could be wrong though). I don;t want to change a thing in the suspension b/c my 60ft times are great (1.6 was the best). I have an air bad in the pass. rear spring (Eibach Drag launch kit) but haven't experimented with it yet. Good luck! __________________ Red 1993 GT Street Machine Best E.T. - 12.41/Best MPH = 108 Engine is a 1969 351 block w/393 stroker kit. Dynamic Roller Myte C4, 8 pt cage. Edlebrock Performer heads and Victor Jr. EFI, FRPP 30lb injectors & Cartech fuel system. MSD ignition. Sothside Machine bars & Sub-frames, adj. upper's, 3.73's, Koni rear shocks, much more

08-20-2003, 11:05 AM	#14
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Hey Stang_Roty, I see you have a 69 351W, I just came across this same engine for free, and it's running. My uncle is giving it to me. How much did it cost you to make a 393 stroker? __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

08-22-2003, 05:16 AM	#15
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	While we are on that subject. Is the BFG275 60 15 truly a 28" tire __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

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