I just bought a 76' Vette & when i turn the wheel either to the far right or left the wheels rub the inside of the fender. I'm not talking about the side wall hitting but the tread area of the tire is hitting the back of the fender well. The tires are 225/70/15's (I think) & the rims look to be standard chevy steel rims. Any idea what I should look at ???

Thanks

I would look at springs and shocks, since your Vette is running the correct size tires. If the car was lowered by a previous owner, or if the springs have become too weak (allowing the car to sit too low), this can cause the problem. Do you have any rubbing (tire to wheel-well) going over bumps? Even bad shocks can allow the car to sit a little lower, but it shouldn't be enough to rub unless the springs are bad. You need to get a measurement of tire clearance from someone and compare it to your Vette. I don't have 225/70's on mine, so I can't help with the measurement .

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'76 L48 Auto Project |IMG|http://www.freewebs.com/privategod/Mine2a.JPG |/IMG|

You did not say what type of wheels you are using. If an aftermarket wheel is being used, it may be off-set enough to be causing the problem. If stock wheels, then look at springs and shocks as noted above.

First of all the shocks don't affect ride height! Thats
the springs, The shocks only dampen the spring resonance
bounce.If you had no shocks you would hit a bump and the car would keep bouncing for half a mile!
My 78 has the optional 255-60-15 tires and the front
wheelopenings were hand trimed at the factory.
Steve

If your running Blisteen Hi Pressure gas shocks they do have somme affect on ride height , but its mainly your spring..
New shocks on old springs can raise your car up to a 1".............!

Steve, shock condition can indeed make a difference in ride height, though they do not support the weight of the car directly. The worse the condition of the springs, the greater the affect the shocks can have on ride height, to a point.
Clar2001, they don't even have to be "high pressure" shocks to have an effect.
Lord only knows how many cars I've bought and the first things that needed replaced were shocks and/or springs.... and other than air shocks, I don't think I have ever spent more than $15.00 per shock.

|UPDATED|9/3/2003 2:45:29 PM|/UPDATED|


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'76 L48 Auto Project |IMG|http://www.freewebs.com/privategod/Mine2a.JPG |/IMG|

The tire size you stated is quite small for the year. You say the wheels look stock Chevy, but are they Corvette Rallys? Rallys came on a large number of the GMs and they were not all the same. If the width and offset are not correct (read Corvette) then a change is in order. If they are 15X8 Corvette rims then you have a greater problem like a damaged frame or suspension. Once you have verified the wheels take the car to an alignment and frame shop (not just the local Firestone) and have the frame checked. It sounds as if the front axle centerline is back of where it should be.

Alex

did anyone bothering woring about the simple things like; the arm liners, is the car even in alignment?? is it just somethin lose?? Could even be a brake line or parking brake cable. get a buddy to turn the wheel while you look.

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RJG

I have a 75 with factory aluminum wheels and 255/60/15 tires on it with no rubbing problems and the fenders have not been trimmed. Granted they get very, very close at full steering lock, but don't rub. If your car is not lowered, and the wheels are correct width and backspacing for a 69-82 Vette ( 8" and 4" respectively) then it sounds like an alignment problem. The A-arms are either too far back or too far forward and the wheel is not centered in the wheel well or fender opening. It would be a good idea to have the alignment checked as well as have the frame checked for straightness. Good luck.

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P225/70/15 tires are stock size for a 76. The passenger side tire on my 76 barely misses the fender when turning. That's because the car was in an accident and the body shop did not do a good job aligning everything. It's possible yours was in an accident too.

|UPDATED|9/18/2003 9:29:18 AM|/UPDATED|

I have an update. The offset on the rims is correct (I think) From the back of the bolt holes (where the rim touches the rotor) to the back edge of the rim is exactly 4".

I think I have found the problem but I am not sure how to proceed to fit it. It appears that the fenders are "loose" near the bottom. I mean I can push them in about 1.5" then they bump up against the frame. It's almost like a bracket that secures the bottom of the quarter panel is missing. Am I making any sence ????