Topic: Wheel rubbing fender - spacers?
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Hi,
I recently installed a nose mask on my 78. First time driving with it, I heard a scraping noise (I had heard before but very occasionally) and found that when turning hard right, the driver side wheel will touch the lower part of the fender (and of course, tore some of the mask's fabric
). Passenger side wheel does not do so - in fact there appears to be at least and extra inch of space b/w the front of the passenger side wheel and the fender than b/w the driver side wheel and fender. Front and rear alignment done about 6 months ago. Question is: I've been looking at spacers or adapters to extend the wheel out a bit so that it would not touch the fender. I've heard that spacers can loosen over time, but what about adapters - they appear to screw to current bolts, and the wheel is attached the bolts on the adapter. Anyone have any experience with either spacers or adapters. Any idea what thickness would be apropriate? I'm thinking 1/2 inch would be sufficient - the tire barely hits the fender. However, only adapters I can find are 1" or more. Thanks for any input.
). Passenger side wheel does not do so - in fact there appears to be at least and extra inch of space b/w the front of the passenger side wheel and the fender than b/w the driver side wheel and fender. Front and rear alignment done about 6 months ago. Question is: I've been looking at spacers or adapters to extend the wheel out a bit so that it would not touch the fender. I've heard that spacers can loosen over time, but what about adapters - they appear to screw to current bolts, and the wheel is attached the bolts on the adapter. Anyone have any experience with either spacers or adapters. Any idea what thickness would be apropriate? I'm thinking 1/2 inch would be sufficient - the tire barely hits the fender. However, only adapters I can find are 1" or more. Thanks for any input.SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Todd,
Are you saying that with the car on the ground, with the wheels straight, the drivers side front tire is an inch more forward that the passenger side? Or are you speaking of when the wheel is turned to the right?
Scott
Are you saying that with the car on the ground, with the wheels straight, the drivers side front tire is an inch more forward that the passenger side? Or are you speaking of when the wheel is turned to the right?
Scott
Won't spacing the wheels OUT make them hit even more? Did your 78 originally come with 255 tires? The factory trimmed the front edge of the wheel opening to clear the bigger tires. What size tires are you running?
I remember checking mine a while back when someone else brought this up and I did notice a difference in measurements, but only about 1/2" at the most. Mike
Spacers will move the wheel OUT farther which will cause MORE rubbing when turning. To stop the rubbing you need to either run a narrower tire or change to a rim that has the center plane closer to the outside edge (which narrows the track width and moves the tire closer to the frame).
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Think maybe springs are weak? I was having problems with 235 60s hitting the inside fender wells, but I put on 215 65rs that stopped it. I went ahead and put some spring helpers (blocks) and it improved the handling. Just a thought.
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Spacing the rims out will not solve this problem...only make it worse.
You may have a "saggy" spring on the driver side, or even bad body mounts. You could also have a bent/damaged frame, even if the car has never been wrecked.
I would suggest taking some measurements of the frame, and the "ride height" of the car. Measure in the same place on both sides of the car, from the ground to the frame, and see if there is a large difference. Remember, too, that with you in the car, that side will be even lower.
You didn't mention what size tires you have but that will come into play, too.
You may have a "saggy" spring on the driver side, or even bad body mounts. You could also have a bent/damaged frame, even if the car has never been wrecked.
I would suggest taking some measurements of the frame, and the "ride height" of the car. Measure in the same place on both sides of the car, from the ground to the frame, and see if there is a large difference. Remember, too, that with you in the car, that side will be even lower.
You didn't mention what size tires you have but that will come into play, too.
Joel Adams
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I did this in the past on the others and figured I'd check it on the white 79 now. From the tire thread to the inner fender lip rearward of the tire, 1/2" difference per side. Measured the wheelbase, hooking a tape measure on the wheel lip at the tire bead on the rear and pulling the tape to the same location on the lip/bead on the fronts. 1/2" difference per side. Had similar results a couple of years ago on the other 3 when this came up in another thread. Tires hitting is hit or miss on these cars. Some guys never have a problem, even without the trimmed wheel openings. Factory trimmed only 78s and 79s and ONLY if they came with the bigger tires. Mike
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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