Stock tire size rubbing strut housing

[Zzan]

I have a 93' atx with the correct stock tire sizes for the front end. I found these in the owners manual and was also assured by National Tire And Battery that they were the correct size. I barely have any clearance at all inbetween the strut housing and the tires themselves (about 5-8 mm on the fronts, the backs are fine (12mm or so.) Is this normal? I havent been able to find much out other than it is not; I'm just trying to verify. I've heard of a few people taking the strut housing off as to allow for another 3-5mm of clearance and thus cut down the rubbing but even then it doesnt always fix the problem. I've had both ball joints as well as the tie rods replaced on the front end so that shouldn't be an issue. I have also seen the use of spacers for people upgrading the size to 17's. Should I just put in spacers? or not worry about the problem at all since it doesnt really rub 24/7 anyways? or is it possible the car was lowered by a previous owner? any help would be useful and I'd be more than happy to provide more info on the problem if your willing to help. Thanks in advance.

 

[hawkeye18]

even if you have 2mm of clearance, that's enough. The tire/wheel does not move in relation to the strut housing. if it does, you have, as they say, "issues". I have about 1.5mm of clearance, and though they rub the fender (they're a bit... er, wider) under compression, they never rub the strut housing.

 

[ManySHOs]

What size tires do you have on there?

Ian

 

[K-Dawg]

even if you have 2mm of clearance, that's enough. The tire/wheel does not move in relation to the strut housing. if it does, you have, as they say, "issues". I have about 1.5mm of clearance, and though they rub the fender (they're a bit... er, wider) under compression, they never rub the strut housing.

Tires flex and so do hubs. There should be more clearance than that with stock 215/60/16s on Slicers. Maybe the spindle or strut is bent.

 

[93rev2sev]

Yes, remove the spring guards. They were only used in 1993.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Yeah you need more then 2mm of clearance, take a look at a car when its cornering hard; the tire rolls under. Now from our laws of physics we know for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; so the top of the tire is doing the same thing just the opposite direction, so the inside tires in a turn are always getting pushed toward the strut

 

[Zzan]

I think there may be some confusion with my question.. The clearance I was speaking of is on the top of the tire to the strut housing, not the side... also I'm coming to realize that its probably just because theres 200,000 on the current engine and about 100,000 on the last and the vehicle is just a bit worn.. I took it up to a local shop I trust and even they told me all the front end suspension parts are fine and have no need to be replaced but the clearance is bad in cases where I'll be on a rough road the tire will continually bump the housing. Seems to me the best answer is to just take the guards off since it seems they were cosmetic only and not used any other year than 93' anyways.. thanks for the help everyone

 

[ManySHOs]

Yes, def remove the guards. I suspect that's what you meant by "removing the strut housings".

Ian

 

[quikSHOilver]

rubbing on the strut guard

I had same problem on my 93 atx..rubbing was so bad that I could smell burning rubber from time to time and shred my inner shoulder of tire wall.. I got fed up and check it out.

Found the problem.. It start dawned on me as I remmy that I hit the big azz pothole that caused my strut to depress little deeper into spindle, while at in process it also messed up my wheel bearing.

Problem solved after I replaced new strut with the guard remains on, pinch bolt and wheel bearing. Now it has plenty of clearance.

 

[repoman88tc]

okay, same prob on 95 mtx, stock wheels and tire size. no probs with suspension, up and down problem rubbing. With car on stands and pulling up on tire with long jack handle, no movement. Could it be brand of tire, curve of sidewall? Never had this prob in past. It ate deep into previous 225/55/ 16 `s so went back to Fact size with new 215/60/16`s and notice mild rub with normal drive of 5 miles on bevel of sidewall.

 

[rubydist]

There is a good chance the wheel bearing is bad. The brake disk will tend to hold the wheel so its hard to feel it wobble - in one case I had to take the brake off before I could feel the hub wiggle.

 

[repoman88tc]

Could excessive drag racing make it cut into a tire all the way around if say its a 225/55/16. my son just took off a set and they look tooled down to the wire bout a half inch in from the inner tread. A trench to say the least. He tends to burn it up warming up for his launch.

 

[SHObill]

The only way to add/remove gap between the top of tire & spring perch is to move the strut in the spindle. The 93's did have a large spring brkt added for an issue they had. The spring perch does have a side trimmed off but its not in line with the center of tire for some reason-that can be fixed with a diegrinder for a bit more room. If the wheel bearings are bad- this will decrease clearance, throw off alignment & you should hear/feel that IF you turn down the sound system! LOL