waurgh... wheels too wide

[Andrew]

I've got my rotas with 195/50/15's on them... with 4 people in my Aspire, hitting bumps at any kind of speed makes a loud crashing noise in the back, which I believe is the tires contacting the fender lips.

When there are people in the back there's about an inch of clearance between the back wheels and the fender anyhow.

I had to pull off the highway (road flares make your hands smell like fireworks) to check into the smell, in fact, to ensure it was burning rubber, not burning engine.

so anyhow, because my tires stick out of the fender a little bit, i have a conundrum.

I presume the stock wheels would have just gone up inside the fender, correct? Or are my back struts weird? With no load in the car there's like 3.5" of fender clearance.

So now what. As much as I like my wheels, I really do like being able to haul people and things (I'm frequently the only one among a group of friends with a car) so what do I do? Stiffer springs or something? Fender flares or rolling? I can't afford new tires since I hear 195/45/15 should have fit better (though they're hard to find) ... or should I just go back to the stock wheels?

With just one person in the back it's not as bad, and this doesn't happen at all in the front just the back.

I know crazy people have put 6 and 8 inch wide tires on their festivas and 17" wheels on their Aspires, so what to do?

Suggestions are welcome, otherwise the stock steelies will go back on next week and the Slipstreams and rubber unfortunately may go on sale.

[PaulLehr]

Well you already listed everything you would need to do in order to keep the wheels and tires you have now. You can try a stiffer spring in the rear. I believe Moog still makes a Cargo Coil for the Aspire which is a set of springs the stock size but with a higher spring rate. If the tires don't stick out too far from the fender lip you can CAREFULLY try to roll your fender lips in the rear. There are plenty of articles out there on the net that explain exactly how to do it. I don't see why you would want to give up and go back tot he stock wheels. Alittle thought and planning and you should be able to make what you have now fit just fine

[Andrew]

springs sound like a winner. Fender rolling might not work even if I can do it successfully, since part of the wheel well rim is bumper cover which is plastic.

Any idea on part number or specifications/demensions on these moog springs, or where I'd get some? I don't know much (read: anything) about auto springs.

[Safety Guy]

You could try this place, recommended by a guy on some Corvette forum:

http://www.performancesuspension.com/

You'll have to call to find out if they have your application.

Here's the thread where I found it:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=666655

Some of that info may help.

Look for stiffer rear springs. Jim's suggested that we try Festiva front springs in the rear. That would do it--if they fit okay.

Start squirting PB Blaster on your rear shock bolts now.

Karl

[ericsmith32]

I think the rubbing of tires are quite common on the 17"s and on tires wider than the car's setup for - look at other forums feoa etc. What offset and how wide are those rims? It looks like if they were a little bit inward they shouldn't rub. If you stiffen up the suspension your only going to weight it down more hence it will still rub, plus the ride might be ungodly. I'm happy with my stock steelies but i've never noticed any difference between stockers and aftermarket, unless you want to go for the bling factor.. truely it comes down to the tire you have I guess. I wonder how a tire size between 165-185 would do on yours?

[Safety Guy]

Provided we can get the lower shock bolts out, trying a pair of Festiva front springs would only take a couple hours of time. Buy me a pizza and my labor and garage are covered.

BTW, my Festiva front springs are old and weak, so they might be quite nice to use for this. I just have to finish my swap to get them out.

Karl

[4cylDreadnaught]

Re: waurgh... wheels too wide

(I'm frequently the only one among a group of friends with a car) so what do I do?

wouldn't hurt to ask for donations from the friends since you're frequently providing transport.

[Andrew]

I'll look into the back springs, and once I can get those I'll get in touch with you Karl about putting the back ones in. I've got a friend who's also quite a bit of a gearhead when it comes to compact cars so I'm sure she will be of great help too.

If we pull this off I'll get you a great big 16" pizza from east of chicago

The offset is 40mm or 38mm I think, don't really remember now, and they're 5.5" wide I think.

On the plus side, I had my struts replaced all around less than 6 months ago so the bolts should be removable

[EVOGUN]

If its not rubbing on the strut its rubbing on the rear bumper mount under the rear fender. Had to cut and trim it down on mine but its good now.

Jack it up and look it's metal so it will cut into the tire after you melt off all the plastic.

Thanks :wink:

[Andrew]

i'm pretty sure it's the fender... I think anyway, because there's no way the wheel can fit up underneath there.

by the looks, the aspire was meant for moderately wide 15" wheels... just wish it was designed for them

[FB71]

If we pull this off I'll get you a great big 16" pizza from east of chicago

c'mon... 'round here, we got 30" pizzas!