15x8" Rallyes Rear with 275/60 BFGoodrich Radial T/As

[340_6pak]

It was time to buy tires and wheels so I went with what Carlwalski has. The front is fine, but the rear wheels are very close to the top of the inner lip of the fender well. On both sides I can just get my fingers in between the top of the tire and the fender. The tire spec is 275/60 R15, see http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=19470.0 for a pic of Carlwalski's car.

My car is currently supported by two jack stands in the rear that are supporting the axle tubes, so I don't think the distance between the tire and the fender will change much when I drop it down. I am worried about cutting the tires on the fender so is it time to 'add a leaf' or is rolling the fender up a little on the inside the best way yo go?

[VTMopar]

That's curious - everything I've ever heard is that you should be able to run those without any issues......

Vt MOPAR

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Thats EXACTLY what NIKKI has... NO problems!!   

BTW, running XHD springs....

[72hemi]

I had 275 60R 15 on 15x8 rims with a 4.5 inch back spacing with XHD springs and they did rub with a full tank of gas and a passenger on bumps, so I replaced them with 255 60R 15 and no more problems. My brother on the other hand has Super Stock springs and has no problems. However his car does sit 2 inches higher in the rear compared to mine. Also should be noted I tried to fit them on the back of my 71 cuda and there was no chance in heck of them fitting on the cuda for whatever reason.

[The Cuda Guy]

That is funny?  Alan has 15x7 Rallye Rims with 275/60/15 BFG and they fit fine?  I seen it with my own eyes.  I know you are a big fan of the 255 for out back.  Im just surprised that this has been your experience.

Don

[72hemi]

It is weird, because I have seen cars with 295 series tires on them as well with no issues. I guess I am just special. The 275 definitely looks great.

[340_6pak]

I am sure this car has its original springs and the shocks don't look very good either. It could be just a saging suspension issue. From reading in the forum, the 'add a leaf' option seems the easiest way to go considering all of the negative comments about air shocks.

[ShelbyDogg]

I've had the 275-60-15s on all of my cars, then went to a 295-50 after putting in the B-rear end. I can let the tire go all the way into the well without rubbing. Are you using the 8" Rallye wheels with the 4.5" backspacing?  Are you sure you didn't order a set with a standard 3-5/16 backspacing?

[72hemi]

I'm positive I have the right wheels. I measured them before I bought them.

[boydsdodge]

Man o Man, I hope that doesn't happen to me I just ordered a set of Minilites for my Challenger.
15x8 4.5 back space because I kept reading how well it fit. I have also lowered mine an inch with the H/D springs.
Guess we'll see soon enough.

[boydsdodge]

Where does your wheel hit?
 Is it the lip on the opening or up inside the wheel well?

[340_6pak]

Mine doesn't actually hit anywhere. When I run my hand over the wheel well trim piece, my fingers will touch the tire at the top of the arch so this means that maybe I have a 1/2 inch gap between the two. To me this says when I am driving and hit a bump, I may put the fender well trim piece into the tire. Not something I am looking forward to. I did order the wheels with the 4.5 inch back spacing, but I did not actually measure them before I put them on.

Since I don't have much history on the car, I suppose these could be after market fenders and maybe the fit is not all it should be. Anyway, I think if I lift the rear up an inch or so, I will be ok, and maybe put in a good pinion snubber just to be sure I don't come down on the tire while driving. This is what lead to the 'add a leaf' question. Another option would be to shave off a little of the fender that comes so close to the wheel.  Since the fender metal is bent toward the wheel at the opening, I doubt if you would even see it.

Comments?

[Bullitt-]

What Brand of tire?...While the basic dimensions may be the same sidewall bulge can be different between brands.
   Do the bounce test sitting still...put a coupe of people in the back seat & have a couple more bounce the rear & SEE if they do rub.

[ShelbyDogg]

If your car had the early aftermarket quarter skins put on it, then the lip was too wide and had to be trimmed. If you have the chrome lip moulding installed, look at your fender lip. It shouldn't be more than 1/4" past the stainless screwed edge.  I've seen some that stuck out at least 1/2" and should be trimmed.

If the tire clears this lip, I have never had one hit on the outside. The leafsprings allow the axle to swivel up and in, but not outward. I once had a Demon that I put some wheels on with too much backspacing. The tires would rub on the inner wheelhouse when I would try to turn too fast. I had the car sitting low too like my other cars.

Check if you have a stock lip compared to other e-bodies.

Rob

[340_6pak]

I will check, thanks for all the help.