Front tires RUB when turning and dipping on inclines!! QUESTION!!!

Brian, it's very clear to me, after seeing your photos, that you have a wheel that is not suited to your GS i.e. not enough back spacing. Rather than modify or raise the height of your car, you should consider putting different wheels on it. If you run 8 inch wheels on the front, the backspacing should be about 5 inches and the tire would tuck in towards the inside and not rub. :TU:

 

I agree with rkammer. Going through the same problem with an 2 different Apollos. The first problem was caused by the worn out lower control arm bushings. They were totally wasted. Replaced all bushings, balljoints and new springs and no more problems. Car handles like a dream for an Apollo. #2 Apollo, tried using 15" rims with tires I already had and have the same problem again, since this has all new components, I will just go back with the 14X6" factory sport wheels with the biggest tire recommended.Again with that size rime you will need a larger backspace. See if you can find a friend or shop with some you can try first. If money is the issue (Those rims were not cheap?) and you haven't changed springs yet you might try stiffer springs and good shocks since it sounds like you need them also. Make sure you do your research on springs so you start at the factory ride height when installed!

 

aside from using correctly backspaced rims, which u probably really like, i would consider replacing the front springs with a spring with the same tensile strength (spring rate) but with an extra half coil. check with eaton spring in detroit mi. as they can help u.

 

Ok, the backspacing on these rims are 4.5, so I assume that should be fine(don't see how a extra .25 or .50 in backspacing is going to make a difference in this). I am really starting to think it is more of a issue with springs and shocks then anything. First thing when I get home tonight, I am going to look through the paperwork I have to see when all of that was last replaced. I am thinking it is probably 12+ years ago, so all of that might worn out under the car. I only have a issue when that front end dips at all and it barely hits. I can literally bounce the front end of my car with 1 hand and when I do the other side bounces after the the side I am bouncing finishes. No one is running 17X8 with 245/50's on their front end with this backspacing???

Brian

 

Thanks Larry, thats what I thought. Any good springs shocks you would suggest?? I believe I am running this size tire because you had said it was the largest that would fit on that rim with no rub!!

Let me know!
Brian

 

While 4.5 in BS may be fine for a 7 inch wheel, it should be north of 5 inches for his 8 inch wheels. I still think he needs more backspacing.

 

Just checked the paperwork for my car and the last time the shocks were changed was March 3, 1994. Think it might be time to change those out which hopefully should solve my problem. What does everyone suggest for new shocks?

Brian

 

Larry, just measure the backspace on all 4 rims and they are indeed 4.5 backspaced. If you say the car looks lowered to you, more than likely I am thinking it is a shock issue. Looked at the records I got with the car when I bought it and it looks like the shocks were last changed in 1994. Anyone suggest a good pair??

Is there a good spot to measure ride height on the fender or something? Maybe I should do that and post it up??

LMK!
Brian

 

How are your control arm bushings ?

 

Have not checked those. Attached are some pics of the tire and fender when the wheel is turned in my garage. It doesn't hit, but you can see the clearance is very close.

I am sure if the shocks/springs were last changed in 94 or older, I am sure the control arm bushing are old as well. Might want to start making a list of EVERYTHING I will need to replace. Figure if I get in there, I want to do it all.

Let me know what else you can think of!!!

Brian

 

Checked my height on the front wheel wells before I left the house and it was right around or under 26". Looks like stock height in this diagram for a GS or Skylark is either 26 1/2 or 26 7/8. I am well below that. I am going to have to measure all the other measurements when I get home, but I am definitely sagging in the front(obviously). Figure if I am going to replace the springs, might as well do shocks as well. Any good springs/shocks you can suggest??

Brian

 

After looking into this a little more over the weekend. Will springs/shocks even make a difference?? Looks like if I raise the car lets say a 1" with springs and shocks, it still looks like it might hit. Does anyone have some pictures, etc.. of their car running similar sized tires/rims?? Doesn't have to be 17" rims, but maybe a 15" rim with a tire that is the same size(height width)???

Definitely need to get this taken care of!!!

Let me know!
Brian

 

Ok, look forward to the pics. Running a 17X8 on my front with 4.5 backspacing. Anyone need some extra pictures? I can snap any picture from ANY angle tonight when I get home if it will help solve why my front tire appears to be close to the bottom front lip of the fender and hits when I turn and dip every so slightly.

Brian