This ever happend to anyone?

[skippie]

I just put some new tires on the front of the SHO today and they seem to be rubbing on the lower strut spring tray(?) (not sure if that's the correct name, but you get the point)...anyway they are Goodyear 225/60/16's. Anyone ever have this problem before? I didn't think these tires would be that big to start rubbing. shrug

<small>[ February 26, 2004, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: skippie ]</small>

 

[Mr Anonymous]

See it all the time. The tires are too tall. Should have gone with the stock 215/60/16 or optionally a 225/55/16.

 

[SHODOGG]

Yeah you def. shoulda gone with 225/55's instead of 60's. You're decreasing your performance by going with such a tall tire. Still, it shouldn't be rubbing, I know people who have used 225/60's on their SHO's and its never rubbed. Wierd shrug

 

[Mullet]

Same exact thing happend to me. I got snow tires this winter (225/60/16). The weird thing is they didnt rub for like 2 months, then the first day it was above 40 deg they started to rub. Took them back to costco and they gave me a new set of michenlin pilot sports free.

 

[wuzzzer]

That is weird. The tire would be taller than stock, but according to http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html it would only be .4" diameter difference.

What's happening to make you think it's rubbing? Are you running the factory wheels?

In my SHO the front is lowered about 1 3/4" and I run 215/60/16 Blizzaks (1/2" taller than the stock 225/55/16) and don't rub.

 

[skippie]

I just hear a slight rubber on metal "squeak" when comming to a stop. Not alot, I dont think it's really anything to worry about too much, but I jut noticed it, and thought I would post about it and see if anyone else noticed it. Yeah, I am running the stock slicers, and I would have thought that those tires had more then enough clearence too, but when you reach your hand unto the wheel well, you can't get a finer in between the tire and the metal bracket. oh

 

[AutoSHO]

A 225/60 tire is .5" bigger in diameter, or .25" closer to the strut tower.

Also, Goodyears? nono

 

[Mike Kopstain]

In my SHO the front is lowered about 1 3/4" and I run 215/60/16 Blizzaks (1/2" taller than the stock 225/55/16) and don't rub.

Lowering or raising the car will not affect this particular issue as the spring perch does not change position.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

skippie:
I just hear a slight rubber on metal "squeak" when comming to a stop. Not alot, I dont think it's really anything to worry about too much...

Ok, if major tire wear in almost no time leading to a blowout or loss of control doesn't worry you.

If you look at the clearance between the lower spring perch and the tire when a stock 215/60/16 is on the wheel, there isn't a lot there, probably about 1/4". As Mikey mentioned, the distance between the spindle and lower spring perch on the strut is static regardless of spring choice, etc. unless someone actually modifies where the strut sits in the spindle by cutting off the locator tab and sliding the strut down.

Some people have been able to put on 225/60/16's without rubbing, a lot of it depends on manufacturer. I tried putting a set of 225/60/16 Goodyear RSA's from my GTP on the SHO and they rubbed on all 4 corners. Not a lot, but enough to cut a groove into the tires if I had left them on (I drove the car no more than 100 yards with them on). We had a '93 with like new 225/60/16's on it that Kirk drove for around 100 miles and you wouldn't believe the nasty groove the strut carved out of the tire. Right down to the wear bands.

If you bought the tires at a shop, I'd take them back and request they install the proper size. I don't know if you specified the size or they did, but this is really a safety issue and should be remedied quickly.