General GM Chat When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made. Chat about all things GM (and related cars). Off-topic stuff should be in the Lounge, and all Model specific mechanical problems should be posted in the proper forum.

My wheel swap problem.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-16-2011, 05:51 PM
  #1  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
3800_cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3800_cruiser is on a distinguished road
Default My wheel swap problem.

So I recently bought these 16x7 Wheels with 225/60/16 Tires off a 1996 Grand Prix GT. They bolt up but one of the tires is rubbing the inside edge of the outer fender when I go over bumps or around turns.

The weird thing is that this only happens on the driver'* side of the car. The wheel gap is much smaller than that on the passenger'* side.

For reference, I have a 1998 Buick Lesabre custom. The stock wheel / tire combo was a 15x6 with 205/17/15 tires. I didn't really think this is that off unless I have the offset wrong. Is it possible that I have a saggy spring or strut?

Here'* some pictures.
Attached Thumbnails My wheel swap problem.-img_1068-600x450-.jpg   My wheel swap problem.-img_1069.jpg   My wheel swap problem.-img_10722.jpg  
Old 03-16-2011, 05:54 PM
  #2  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
3800_cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3800_cruiser is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by 3800_cruiser
The stock wheel / tire combo was a 15x6 with 205/17/15 tires.
I meant to say 205 / 70 / 15
Old 03-16-2011, 06:10 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
SilverSleeper8704's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: "Upstate" NY. Where cows outnumber people
Posts: 441
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
SilverSleeper8704 is on a distinguished road
Default

The width is the problem. You're going from a 205 to a 225. That'* nearly a 10% wider tread. The overall diameter is shorter by a bit over .25", but it may not be enough to make up for the change in width. Plus, those are ballpark figures, actual tires differ even more than that in some cases.
Old 03-16-2011, 06:13 PM
  #4  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
3800_cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3800_cruiser is on a distinguished road
Default

The recommended size is a 215 /60 / 16 on a 16x6.5" wheel. I thought I could get away with the current tire, but I'm still wondering if even a 215/60/16 would work on the 16x7 wheel without rubbing. I may end up selling these but I would love to make them work.
Old 03-16-2011, 06:17 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
SilverSleeper8704's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: "Upstate" NY. Where cows outnumber people
Posts: 441
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
SilverSleeper8704 is on a distinguished road
Default

Actually just re-read the post.
So one side has less gap than the other, in a vertical sense? Not as in from outer edge of tire to the lip of the fender?

I say put the car on level ground, and measure from axle centerline to the fender lip. Do on both sides. If there is a difference, I'd opt for new rear springs. You may have had a sagging spring before, but with the width difference now, you just didn't notice it, because it didn't have a clearance issue before. With the extra 10% width, now it makes a difference.
Old 03-16-2011, 06:40 PM
  #6  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
3800_cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3800_cruiser is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by SilverSleeper8704
Actually just re-read the post.
So one side has less gap than the other, in a vertical sense? Not as in from outer edge of tire to the lip of the fender?

I say put the car on level ground, and measure from axle centerline to the fender lip. Do on both sides. If there is a difference, I'd opt for new rear springs. You may have had a sagging spring before, but with the width difference now, you just didn't notice it, because it didn't have a clearance issue before. With the extra 10% width, now it makes a difference.
That'* precisely what I'm saying. I parked it on level ground earlier, I hopped in the trunk and I could only bottom the fender out on the tire on the driver'* side. The passenger side won't bottom out no matter how hard I try.
Old 03-16-2011, 11:49 PM
  #7  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
3800_cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3800_cruiser is on a distinguished road
Default

http://www.jcwhitney.com/air-lift-10...299d198y1998j5

I'm looking at installing a set of these helper airbags inside the coils to help the car sit properly. Anyone know much about these? If they do the job as well as replacing the coils this is what I'm leaning toward.
Old 03-17-2011, 12:35 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
SilverSleeper8704's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: "Upstate" NY. Where cows outnumber people
Posts: 441
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
SilverSleeper8704 is on a distinguished road
Default

If those are what I think they are, you have to take the springs out anyway to put those in. Why not just replace the springs if they are getting weak?
Besides, with those, it will ride like crap. Those are more meant to help launch cars at a drag strip, or to put in more load carrying capacity to help tow a trailer. They shouldn't be a band-aid to your problem.
Heck, you may have a broken or bent spring already. Have you checked to see?
If it sits tweaked (one side higher than the other) replace your springs. If it doesn't compress at the same rate, but returns to the same height on either side, then maybe its time for new rear shocks. Putting airbags in there isn't going to do much for you.
Old 03-17-2011, 12:38 AM
  #9  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
sseidriver97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Portage mi
Posts: 7,124
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
sseidriver97 is on a distinguished road
Default

hmm my 90 lesabre has 235/55/17'* on it no problems
Old 10-03-2011, 11:07 AM
  #10  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
3800_cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3800_cruiser is on a distinguished road
Default

Old post, but I ordered the MOOG Cargo control springs (# CC653) I think... These are made for the Bonneville SSEi but they fit perfectly on my Lesabre. The ride is stiffer, less swaying, and the car sits up where it belongs, I should have no issue putting the wheels on after winter'* over. Just thought I'd put this out in case anyone runs into the same issue.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frostbite
Buick
4
10-01-2012 12:28 PM
Chris95GT
1992-1999
2
04-19-2008 10:38 PM
99bonne
Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning
3
01-26-2008 07:31 PM
largegoldencar
1987-1991
9
04-25-2005 11:34 PM
BonEvilSSEi
General GM Chat
2
10-06-2004 07:25 PM



Quick Reply: My wheel swap problem.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:40 AM.