Rear strut tire clearance help

[Comrade]

I had a mechanic replace the rear struts on my 91. as you all probably know, the strut has a flange shape, and that part is actually scraping the tire when I make a turn ...the clearance is so small. My thought is to add another gromet at the top and raise the assembly by about half an inch. Has anyone else encountered this problem? And does anyone see a problem with my proposed solution?

[theastronaut]

Sounds like you have tires that are too big, or the wrong offset wheel, or both. Spacing it at the top won't change the clearance between the tire and strut, it will only lift the body away from the tire and strut.

[WmWatt]

You might check your tire size against this list..https://fordfestiva.com/forums/forum...-fitment-guide

Ooops, If the tires were okay before then it's not the tires. Must be the replacement struts. Do you have the part number?

I had mine done in 2012. Struts purchased online from Rock Auto. Made by KYB. Part number KY340009.

Hope that helps.

[Rick the Quick]

Aspire struts will give you a bit more clearance as the lower spring perch is higher up. On the downside the rear of the car will sit higher. Another possibility is using a 10mm spacer between the brake drum and wheel.

[F3BZ]

I mounted 185 60 R13 on stock 40mm offset wheels. i doubt if a piece of cardboard would fit between the tire sidewall and the spring perch but no rubbing. not sure if some hard cornering would cause contact but seeing as the spindle/ beam is rigid as a piece it shouldn't. I might grind a mm flat spot off the perch where it interfaces with the sidewall. I don't think it would weaken the perch enough to be an issue? I was going to go with a thin wheel spacer but then I wouldn't be able to pop the hubcap on the drum collar and I wanted to keep the stock look as the wheels are steel GTX ones.
might try a thin CNC'd plate between the spindle base and twist beam mounting pad. just thick enough to open that gap a little but not so i'd need to press longer studs in the spindle.

[theastronaut]

Why not just use the correct size tires? 185's are heavier, hydroplane easier, and cause clearance issues. 165's are better all around. The only times 185's are better is for track use, and they you're most likely using coilovers that are smaller diameter so there aren't perch clearance problems.

[Petna]

I guess some of us just want the car to look a little more powerful. Your probably right, but it boils down to how much time you have and how much you want to spend

[theastronaut]

I guess some of us just want the car to look a little more powerful. Your probably right, but it boils down to how much time you have and how much you want to spend

Like this? This is 185/60r13 with Advanced coilovers, rolled/pulled fenders, -4 front and -3.5 rear camber. It looks aggressive but they rub, slow the car down and lowers mpg from the extra weight and rolling resistance, and hydroplane very easily (at only 45-50 mph) because the tread blocks have less pressure per square inch of contact to push water out from under the tire.





This is 14x7 with 165/55r14 and the same mods as above. Still looks aggressive but doesn't rub and the skinnier 165's work much better in the rain.