sxracerb25

iTrader: (6)

I have 295/35/18's in the back and if I corner hard then I can hear the tire rubbing but during normal driving there seems to be a good bit of clearance on each side. Is there anything I can buy to stiffen it up some? I already have Spohn PH Bar, LCA's and a UMI TA. Would upgrading the sway bar help this? If not, then it's time for more of the BFH mod lol Thanks guys

meine96ws6

iTrader: (4)

can you see where it is rubbing? you might need to locate that first.

02TransAm/Batmobile

iTrader: (32)

How 'bout running a small 5/16's spacer in the rear?

mediocrels1

stiffer rear swaybar will help.

take the rear tires off, look for rubber marks on the inner fenders, and clearance em with a fat *** hammer.

fleetmgr

You may also be suffering from spring sag, which is what they do when they get old and have some miles on them. You could always do like the auto cross guys and pump the tires up to 50 psi or so to keep the tires from rolling over on the sidewalls, but it won't ride very good.

Ironhead

Odd, I usually run ~26 psi in the rear and I autocross quite a bit. (in and around Tulsa as a matter of fact)

And yeah, no need to hit the car with a hammer just yet. First try getting the backspacing right with the appropriate sized spacer. You may also need to shift the rear slightly with that PHR.

Doing both has shown only minimal rubbing for me even when loaded up in a corner on the bumpiest of surfaces while running an even wider tire (315s).

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

You need to determine where it's rubbing.

A PHB doesn't stop the body and axle from moving relative to each other. In fact on a lowered car, you generally want the PHB setup a little "crooked" to counter how the body moves when you drive the car.... that's because a PHB makes the body move in an arcing motion (this is what Watts links stop from happening).

A bigger swaybar won't help, neither with changing control arms. The rubbing is the body moving and the tire contacting it. The bigger the wheel/tire the more this happens as there is less "wiggle room".

sxracerb25

iTrader: (6)

Well its rubbing just above where the tire meets the wheel on the inside. It's maybe a 1/4 inch up on the tire. With the wheel off there is a little part of the wheel well that's like a bump outwards if that makes sense and imfairly positive that's where its hitting. I measured and the wheels are centered with the ph bar. So Sam are you saying a watts link would help?

Ironhead

Once again, that is (at the very least) contributing to your problem.

It's possible that the problem will disappear entirely once you "uncenter" the rear. Take a moment to think about how the rear axle moves. Is it straight up and down or does it move in an arc? Adjust accordingly.

sxracerb25

iTrader: (6)

What do you mean? the ph bar controls how far left or right the axle is correct? I used string on the outside of the body to make sure the body is centered above the wheels. It rubs equally on both sidrs so adjusting the ph bar will just make it worse on one side and better on the other

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Sounds to me like the issue is to much +offset with your rear wheels, try some wheel spacers 1/8 to 5/16" this should fix your problem.
Also don't forget the ARP hardened wheel studs.

sxracerb25

iTrader: (6)

Yea, I'm just a little iffy about running spacers. I've heard bad things. Any of you running them without any issues? What kind are good?

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

If it rubs equally on both sides, adjusting the PHB won't help, you are correct. A Watts link can help as it eliminates more movement. When I went to a Watts vs a PHB, I was able to take 5/16" of spacer out of *both* rear wheels that I needed when I had a race (double rod-ended) PHB--that's how much less lateral movement there is.

Bottom line, you either need to space the wheels out more, run a narrower tire--or both, or look at keeping the axle/body relationship more in check.

Ironhead

Well that makes things a bit clearer. Earlier you gave the impression that only one tire rubbed. In this case, yes, adjusting the PHR won't help. As mentioned earlier, you need to get the backspacing right with the use of spacers. (unless of course you enjoy hitting your car with a sledgehammer)

Many of us (myself included) are running spacers in competition with very large, very sticky tires. Of course, we did upgrade to longer, stronger ARP studs.

Once upon a time I ran 1/2" spacers on all four corners (my current wheels only need an 1/8" spacer on the rear)






No issues whatsoever despite running the tires pictured above.


Furthermore...

Sammy ran spacers until going to a Watts link in the Camaro.

Many 3rd gen cars (mine included) came from the factory with 1/8" spacers on the rear.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

I run a 3/16th of an inch spacer in the rear with ARP wheel studs with rolled outer fenders and a little bit of BFH on the inner fender with my 315/35/17s in the rear and adjustable phb

sxracerb25

iTrader: (6)

Alright, thanks for the replies guys. I'll look into some spacers, arp lugs and maybe go with a watts link eventually.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

Or if you don't mind taking the big hammer to the inner fender (like me) you could do that and not worry about the spacers, arp studs, etc.....

sxracerb25

iTrader: (6)

I might try that some more. I don't think the hammer I had was big enough. Not a very big one at all.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

I got a 3 lb hammer