What To Do About Rubbing?

[MattRush10]

I just installed my new 275/60R15 Mickey Thompson street slicks on my skylark. I had the same size in BFG Radial TA's on before, but the MT's seem to be fatter. They rub the trim around the quarter and I'm not sure what to do about it. Is there a way I can gain about 2 more inches in height by adding new springs? If not, what is there to do. I want to keep these on because I love the look. Thanks for all the help.

[william.ali.kay]

Is there a way I can gain about 2 more inches in height by adding new springs? If not, what is there to do.

Are the springs you have in now orginal?
New heavy duty springs made quite a noticable change in ride hieght for me for. The stance is just right IMO.

And they make coil spacers or you could go with air shocks.:Do No:

[MattRush10]

William, the pictures didn't post, or at least I cannot view them on my computer. What springs were they and how much of a ride height difference did they make?

[william.ali.kay]

The first one is the before. The second one is the after with a full tank of gas, spare and jack, and about 50 pounds of tools.
I didnt actually measure, but you can estimate by looking at the white walls.
Springs from Moog.

[MattRush10]

Looks good! Thanks for the help, William.

[12lives]

Matt - You can also trim the trim....or you can roll the fender lip. Some folks will use a baseball bat or you can use an Eastwood fender roller. There was a guy on ebay that was renting one....

Raising the rear with springs or air bags will not prevent rubbing when you hit a bump unless you make it very stiff as well which will affect the ride.

- Bill

[MattRush10]

Bill I thought about rolling the fender, but I'm not sure what is involved. Will I have to heat it before rolling, in order to make the sheet metal pliable? And if so, what effect will this have on the paint job?

[william.ali.kay]

Go to youtube and look up "fender roll". Theres a few videoes of shops and DYI techniques.

[MattRush10]

Thanks William. I'm thinking now rolling the fender and adding heavy duty springs. Hopefully that will give some extra insurance and it won't rub. And I'm ok if the suspension is stiff, because frankly I think as it is right now, is it's too loose. What do you guys think?

[MattRush10]

And how would I attach the trim, because after it's rolled it wouldn't be able to be screwed in anymore would it?

[gstewart]

have u thought about the same rims only with more offset?

[MattRush10]

I have thought about buying new ones but I got these rims and tires for $200. They are in great shape and I'm trying to make the most of them, so I think I'm willing to make modifications I'll most likely make in the future instead of paying $190 a piece for new wheels.


Here's a picture. Either way, I've been wanting to lower the front and raise the back, and with this setup the stance is just odd.

[MattRush10]

Oh and I was wrong. The tire size is 275/50R15, not 275/60R15. I know it probably doesn't make a difference, but I just thought I'd post it.

[12lives]

Looks like you got answers Matt - check out the videos and see if they help. If not, start a new thread titled "questions on fender rolling". I've not done this myself but looked into it for my wagon. Soem folks here have and would be more knowledgable.

- Bill

[MattRush10]

Thanks for the help guys.

[gstewart]

when i bought my 72 gs, the seller had a set on '78 trans/am 7" rims with 275r50x15 tires mounted on my car. there was no rub but just 9.5" of tread on the road. i know the offset of those rims is different than the buick 15x7 rallyes.
sold those wheels and tires.

[70_Lark]

Matt,
I just added a pair of rear coil spring spacers from Budzter enterprises. It gave me about a two inch lift. I have approximately 3/4 inch clearance between the tire and fender lip now. They go between the bottom of the coil spring and the alignment ridge. Here is their web address. Attached are a couple of pics

regards
Jim


http://www.budzter.com/

[Tyler Northcutt]

You could get some air bags to go in the rear coil springs. They will raise it up a little bit to help with tire clearance, and it will help you get traction.

[htwhls19]

I bit the bullet and bought the Eastwood fender roller. I used it on both of my wagons and it works awesome. I have the heat gun too. I'd be willing to rent/ship it out, PM me if you're interested.

[MattRush10]

I think I'm leaning towards the spacers since they seem to be the most friendly, economically. A friend of mine can get a pair of new GS springs for me for $55, is that a deal? And I think the GS springs will also help because they are stiffer, if I'm not mistaken, than the normal Skylark springs. And they won't sag like the 38-year old springs I have now.

And thanks for all the help guys.