After a long search, I installed new wheels/tires on my 1986 El Camino. I was concerned with going to an 8" wheel because of potential tire rub, but the only wheels I could find I really liked were 16x8. Posts on this site and the tire store also indicated I should be ok. The tires I installed are 245x55x16. Well, my fears came true; I have tire rub on bumps. Also, the car has new front shocks and a stock front anti-sway bar.

I haven't seen posts on how to solve the problem. My current thought is a set of aftermarket springs (4) to raise the car approximately 1" while also providing additional stiffness. I can't find springs to raise the car (much less provide additional stiffness,) but I have seen spacers. The springs seem soft so I'm not sure if just spacers would solve the problem. I am currently checking into aftermarket springs to stiffen the ride and provide 1" of raise.

Has anyone solved the problem, and if so how did you solve it? Also, how difficult is it to install springs. Are special tools required? If I go this route I'll have to decide if I will install the springs or if I will take it to a suspension shop.

Thanks,

Eric
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Have the front springs ever been replaced? The factory fronts would be weak and sagged by now, if not broken.

The first question to ask is "where are the tires rubbing", frame, inner fender at the front or back or the outer fender lip. Does it happen while driving staight down the road or when turning. The cure will be different depending on where the tires rub.

Also what is the backspacing on those 16x8 wheels?

The wheel offset is -6, which would put the backspacing at 3.75".

There is no rubbing against the frame or other suspension parts, whether the tires are straight or fully turned left or right. I cannot cause a rub by bouncing the car manually, with the wheels turned in any position.

When driving straight or turning and no bumps are encountered there is no rub.

When driving straight the rub occurs when a bump is hit or a dip is passed causing the car to try to "bottom out" (normal driving conditions; not high speed, etc.) and is located inside the wheel well against the plastic lining at the top, near the outside but still inside the wheel well.

It is easier to cause rub when the wheels are turned, such as when pulling into the driveway and hitting the bump of the curb. In this situation the rub is in the same location, but also may hit the highest point of the outside lip of the wheel well (least amount of clearance left when stationary and wheels turned); I am not sure.

I have not encoutnered rub in the back wheels.

The springs have never been replaced and seem soft to me.

It is 26" from the ground to the top of wheel well chrome's middle bulge, which is about the middle of the chrome (if that makes sense.) It was an easy point to measure to. As a test, with a jack I lifted the frame 1.5" so the measurement was now 27.5". This looked like the perfect ride height.

It seems that achieving a 27" to 27.5" height along with stiffer springs would solve the problem. If I raise the front I want to raise the back as I want a level ride.

Thanks,

Eric
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Below are pictures of the car:

[web:e58872da29]http://www.kecollectibles.com/camino/pics1/pic1.jpg[/web:e58872da29]

[web:e58872da29]http://www.kecollectibles.com/camino/pics1/pic2.jpg[/web:e58872da29]

[web:e58872da29]http://www.kecollectibles.com/camino/pics1/pic3.jpg[/web:e58872da29]

Thanks,

Eric
***

I have 225/50/16 on 16x8 S-10 Extreme rims. They don't rub however a few months ago I replaced a tire and the dealer put on a 225/60/16 in error and it rubbed on bumps and dips. Perhaps you need a lower profile tire.

8) I RUN 245/45/17 on my 78 no rubbing it is most likly the front springs change them out and it will go away.

I run 225/55 16 on 16 X 8 Repro Iroc Rims with no rub. This is the correct upsize from the stock 14" tire wheel set up.

I replaced the whole suspension on my 86 with Eibach Pro springs, Edelbrock IAS Performer shocks and a PST front kit. Upon reversing out of the ship that did the work and turning the wheel, I noticed some wheel rub. It seems the springs lowered the car enough for the tires to make contact with the front fender/spoiler. The ship then cut away that part and it just about resolved the problem. I do still have a little rub when the wheel is cranked all the way left or right when I reverve but it's only momentary and not a huge issue.

I'm sure if I cut away a tab more of the spoiler, my problem would be resolved.

Do you think this guy has a problem with tires rubbing???[web:db3fc2cb1a]http://images.traderonline.com/img//img/10/plcnad/5121596/86198295_5.jpg[/web:db3fc2cb1a][web:db3fc2cb1a]http://images.traderonline.com/img//img/10/plcnad/5121596/86198295_6.jpg[/web:db3fc2cb1a]

Thats just plum fugly and ruined my day.

New springs could solve your problem but have you tried new gas shocks, this is a less costly way to go and if you still need springs you should replace the shocks anyway. 28" is the correct stock ride height measured from the ground to the highest point of the wheel well so you are not that far off.

Dan

Sorry but that chunk of split pea soup is Ridiculous

Do you think this guy has a problem with tires rubbing???[web:354bf70b60]http://images.traderonline.com/img//img/10/plcnad/5121596/86198295_5.jpg[/web:354bf70b60][web:354bf70b60]http://images.traderonline.com/img//img/10/plcnad/5121596/86198295_6.jpg[/web:354bf70b60]

He's got much bigger problems than wheel rub. Must be blind, too. That isn't merely fugly; it's UGLY; I'd be embarrassed to be seen on the same block as that thing :oops:

Hey that's my ridiculous chunk of split pea soup and the reason I raised my Elky that high was so I could look into cars at girls wearing mini skirts when they pull up along side me at the light...you don't think I put those wheels on because they look good do you? :lildevil:

Wudda looked a lot better (and more sane :-D ) ifn ya'd put it on a raised 4x4 chassis :P

OK, as long as were talking about tire rub, here's my problem.

225/50x15's on 8" rims for the front seem to clear just fine.
245/50x15's on 9" (They may be 10"?) rims for the rear just barely rub when I carry a load or hit a bump stop.

I am already installing new Eibach springs, they will be 1" lower than stock but will still be higher than the springs I have now.

I have the two-tone body trim.

I see two ways to get the minor clearance I need.

1. Cut the fender lip back about 1/2" at the upper arc.

2. Roll the fender lip back about 1/2" all around.

Not sure which works best on a '78 El Camino, it looks like the inner and outer body are spot welded at the fender lip.

I want to keep the wheel arch trim, is it soft enough to conform to a rolled lip, or do I have to cut it to match a cut fender lip?

If I cut the fender lip do I need to reweld the edges for any reason?

This was all a lot easier on the old cars, where the fender wells were a single layer of steel!

Do you think this guy has a problem with tires rubbing???[web:5a28f23531]http://images.traderonline.com/img//img/10/plcnad/5121596/86198295_5.jpg[/web:5a28f23531][web:5a28f23531]http://images.traderonline.com/img//img/10/plcnad/5121596/86198295_6.jpg[/web:5a28f23531]

i know im gonna take some heat for this but i like this elco. but this is what young guys(like me) are into. ig rims and a nice lift turns heads.

check out www.kingofthestreet.com