Tire Rub

Fixin1up · 05-24-2001, 10:21 PM

I have an 89 GT. While I was looking at the underside of the car I noticed marks on both front control arms caused by the tires rubbing when the wheel is turned all the way. The previous owner put the pony rims on and P245/50R16 size tires. Is it the rims that just bring the tires that much farther in or are the tires to wide?

fiveohpatrol · 05-25-2001, 01:55 AM

im pretty sure that you have the factory size tires for the pony wheels so the rubbing is caused by the wheels having too much backspacing, when ford switched over to the 16" wheels, something was changed in the wheel well, im not sure what though

maybe different control arms? just dont turn the wheel all the way and you'll be ok

------------------
88 Notch, 3.73's, Ported E7's, Explorer int. w/ ported lower, pulleys, 1.7RR's, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air ,MSD coil, U/L control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best 1/4--> 13.77@101.35

smokedchevy · 05-25-2001, 01:57 AM

I believe factory pony rims came with 225/50/16. So I don't think 245's are that much wider. The offset of the rim might be too much.I saw a guy who tore his front fender from the rim rubbing it while he turned. The car was lowered too. Is your stang lowered?

05-25-2001, 02:10 AM

I think the stock size is actually 225/55R16, but when you use a larger tire like a 245mm width it makes it that much worse because of the stock wheel offset, The 245's on the back of mine are probably about 1" wider overall than the 225's i have on the front. *FiveOhpatrol is correct here:* Also in '91 when they switched to pony wheels, they changed the fenders for more clearance (lip was moved up and fender lip widened i believe, but i may be wrong) and the K-member is actually 1" wider (on each side?) to allow for more clearance and i've heard that it's also a lighter K-member. Not much you can do to solve your problem, if you changed to the stock size the problem should be less severe, but i've heard of the pony's basically rubbing on all pre '91 cars (Ford is cheap so they had to change stuff for a good reason). You should be fine though as long as you don't find the need to take a 90* corner at 60 mph.

------------------
'84 Mustang 5.0 LX
My car

Fixin1up · 05-25-2001, 02:20 AM

Okay thanks 4 all the input. No mine isn't lowered. The marks didn't look to severe but they did get my attention. I'm getting new tires soon so I wanted to get some thoughts on size.

K-9 · 05-25-2001, 09:09 AM

Based on my experience from working on off-road vehicles I do know that most vehicles have built in steering stops that you can adjust via an adjusting bolt. Doing this will prevent the tires from hitting any suspension components. The drawback to this is that you will not be able to turn as sharp as before, but then again, you can't now because the tires hit.

I'm not real familiar with Mustangs so this may not be true, but you may want to check into it.

------------------
K-9
No 'Stang just yet, but looking.

JD93GT · 05-25-2001, 12:23 PM

I dont mean to stomp anyone's balls here, but i dont think any of you are correct. I have pony wheels, and have had the 245's rub on the inside. The stock tire size is 225/55/16's.. you can buy spacers to give you a little more space on the inside, but 245's rub in the front...

K-9 · 05-25-2001, 02:31 PM

FYI - Wheel spacers add un-needed stress on bearings and steering components.

jime123 · 05-26-2001, 01:30 PM

i had rubbing on inside of right front tire on a 89 lx5.0 , a friend of mine ( a ford front end mechanic) gave me a steering stop washer that cured the problem. it is a plastic washer with a cut open space.about 1/8th in. thick. i pulled the boot back on the LEFT side of the power steering rack and slipped it over the rack shaft. go to an auto parts or a dealership for it.it should be real cheap.

------------------

05-24-2001, 10:21 PM	#1
Fixin1up Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 7	Tire Rub I have an 89 GT. While I was looking at the underside of the car I noticed marks on both front control arms caused by the tires rubbing when the wheel is turned all the way. The previous owner put the pony rims on and P245/50R16 size tires. Is it the rims that just bring the tires that much farther in or are the tires to wide?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
16" Wheels 0n 67-68 - Tire Sizes?	Baxter	Classic Mustangs	3	12-23-2003 12:20 PM
cobra rear ---- need rim and tire advice please help	dragstang86	Windsor Power	0	07-27-2003 01:22 PM
new tire...have balanced again?	DemonGT	Windsor Power	3	04-29-2002 01:56 PM
Help with tire clearance issues!	2L8 ULUZ	Corner Carvers Delight	1	03-08-2000 05:07 PM

05-25-2001, 01:55 AM	#2
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	im pretty sure that you have the factory size tires for the pony wheels so the rubbing is caused by the wheels having too much backspacing, when ford switched over to the 16" wheels, something was changed in the wheel well, im not sure what though maybe different control arms? just dont turn the wheel all the way and you'll be ok ------------------ 88 Notch, 3.73's, Ported E7's, Explorer int. w/ ported lower, pulleys, 1.7RR's, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air ,MSD coil, U/L control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best 1/4--> 13.77@101.35

05-25-2001, 01:57 AM	#3
smokedchevy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: ventura,CA Posts: 438	I believe factory pony rims came with 225/50/16. So I don't think 245's are that much wider. The offset of the rim might be too much.I saw a guy who tore his front fender from the rim rubbing it while he turned. The car was lowered too. Is your stang lowered?

05-25-2001, 02:10 AM	#4
84stangLX Guest Posts: n/a	I think the stock size is actually 225/55R16, but when you use a larger tire like a 245mm width it makes it that much worse because of the stock wheel offset, The 245's on the back of mine are probably about 1" wider overall than the 225's i have on the front. FiveOhpatrol is correct here: Also in '91 when they switched to pony wheels, they changed the fenders for more clearance (lip was moved up and fender lip widened i believe, but i may be wrong) and the K-member is actually 1" wider (on each side?) to allow for more clearance and i've heard that it's also a lighter K-member. Not much you can do to solve your problem, if you changed to the stock size the problem should be less severe, but i've heard of the pony's basically rubbing on all pre '91 cars (Ford is cheap so they had to change stuff for a good reason). You should be fine though as long as you don't find the need to take a 90* corner at 60 mph. ------------------ '84 Mustang 5.0 LX My car

05-25-2001, 02:20 AM	#5
Fixin1up Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 7	Okay thanks 4 all the input. No mine isn't lowered. The marks didn't look to severe but they did get my attention. I'm getting new tires soon so I wanted to get some thoughts on size.

05-25-2001, 09:09 AM	#6
K-9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elgin, IL, 60120 Posts: 14	Based on my experience from working on off-road vehicles I do know that most vehicles have built in steering stops that you can adjust via an adjusting bolt. Doing this will prevent the tires from hitting any suspension components. The drawback to this is that you will not be able to turn as sharp as before, but then again, you can't now because the tires hit. I'm not real familiar with Mustangs so this may not be true, but you may want to check into it. ------------------ K-9 No 'Stang just yet, but looking.

05-25-2001, 12:23 PM	#7
JD93GT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: San Diego, Ca USA Posts: 52	I dont mean to stomp anyone's balls here, but i dont think any of you are correct. I have pony wheels, and have had the 245's rub on the inside. The stock tire size is 225/55/16's.. you can buy spacers to give you a little more space on the inside, but 245's rub in the front...

05-25-2001, 02:31 PM	#8
K-9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elgin, IL, 60120 Posts: 14	FYI - Wheel spacers add un-needed stress on bearings and steering components.

05-26-2001, 01:30 PM	#9
jime123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Livonia Michigan Posts: 3	i had rubbing on inside of right front tire on a 89 lx5.0 , a friend of mine ( a ford front end mechanic) gave me a steering stop washer that cured the problem. it is a plastic washer with a cut open space.about 1/8th in. thick. i pulled the boot back on the LEFT side of the power steering rack and slipped it over the rack shaft. go to an auto parts or a dealership for it.it should be real cheap. ------------------