Andy walker wrote:
I am running original LAT 70s with 185/70R-13 tires. I am running the
recommended spacers behind the rear wheels as well. Although I have no
clearance problems on the front end, I currently do have a slight rubbing
problem with the rear wheels when I hit substantial bumps; the sidewalls get
into the wheel well lips just a bit. The time has come to replace my tires
and I'm wanting to find out what other people who run 13" wheels, preferably
LAT 70s, are running.
Before it's suggested, I'll make it clear now that I have no intention
whatsoever of trimming the wheel well lips. Surely there must be another
solution. Should I lose the rear wheel spacers? What if I drop to a
175/70R-13; will I be happy with the tires or will they be too small? My
goal
is to get the widest tire I can under the fender wells on stock LAT 70s and
eliminate the rubbing problem while retaining a stock look. I don't do much
hot-rodding anymore with the car so I'm not looking to change wheel sizes and
go with "rubber band" tires. Suggestions and comments would be welcome.
Thanks,
Andy Walker
B382001600LRXFE
Andy,
Do both tires rub?
How are your rear springs?
Still have both bump stops?
I imagine that the spacers are there to keep the small diameter of the center
hole of the LAT wheel from contacting the hub before the mounting faces meet.
If that's the case, you may have enough clearance between the wheel and the
hub to machine the surface of the spacers and still retain the necessary
clearance. On the other hand, if you don't need them, why use them.
If only one tire is rubbing, check your panhard rod length.
Is this a new problem brought about by the rear springs settling?
In my opinion going to a smaller tire is not the right answer.
I wont even suggest bending the inner fender lip up a little, instead of
trimming it.
Mike
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