Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame - NCRS Discussion Boards

Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

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  • Bill Capps

    Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

    I have a 1967 convertible, small block, power steering and power brake car.
    I have just installed new after market ralley wheels (15x6) and mounted 205-75
    tires on them. When I turn the wheel lock to lock the front tire rubs the frame
    in both directions. The front end has been completely rebuilt with all new
    bushings etc. Does any one have any suggestions? I am told that Jim Shea is
    the authority on "steering", does any one know how to reach him?

    Thanks,
    Bill
  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43193

    #2
    Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

    Bill-----

    I don't think that there's anything wrong, at all, with the steering system or anything that you'll be able to "adjust out of it". The fact is that the 205-75-15 tire, while the closest you can get to the original tire size in a modern tire, is still a bit larger. It doesn't take much to cause a problem, although, quite frankly, I'm a little surprised that the 205-75-15 does result in rubbing.

    There are steering linkage stops which are welded onto the lower a-arms. These stops work in conjunction with bosses which are part of the steering arm forging. This is what limits the road wheel rotation to prevent tire contact with the frame at the extremes of steering travel. You might check to make sure that the stops are in place on the lower a-arms and that neither they nor the steering arm surface which articulates with them is excessively worn. It would be very hard to measure this, though; you'd pretty much have to compare what you have against those on another car. The stops on the a-arm for 78-82 Corvettes were slightly larger in order to prevent frame contact with the larger tires used for some 78+ Corvettes. So, you don't want to compare against a 78+ Corvette, although the a-arms are otherwise "identical" to those used for 1967. Also, all SERVICE a-arms sold for more than the last 25 years were the 78+ versions (now discontinued).
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

    Comment

    • Barry K.
      Expired
      • March 1, 2004
      • 164

      #3
      Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

      Bill
      I just saw your post here right after I just started my own above yours. You must have posted as I was typing.

      I also have 205/75-15 on the stock steel wheels on my '65 coupe and i also get a very slight rubbing against the inside frame rails at full turn lock. It's not much, but just enough to polish up and put a mark on the rails where it hits. It hasn't caused any problems but the rubbing bothers me also.
      I think a 205/70-15 would eliminate the rubbing rather than 205/75-15's because of the slightly lower aspect between the 75's and 70's

      Barry

      Comment

      • mike mccagh

        #4
        Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

        drill and tap the stops then thread a grade bolt into the stop. it won't take much of an addition to the stop to prevent the new tires from rubbing the frame. you can remove the bolts when you have it flight judged but put the bolts back in for your P.V. mike

        Comment

        • Duke W.
          Beyond Control Poster
          • January 1, 1993
          • 15610

          #5
          Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

          It's not uncommon for modern replacement size tires to rub on the frame at full lock, but since you will likely engage full lock only at parking lot speeds, it's not a safety issue.

          The frame bruises can be easily touched up, and you can also make a note to keep just away from full lock when you need maximum steering angle.

          Duke

          Comment

          • Bill Capps

            #6
            Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

            Frist of all let me say thank you to everyone for their responses.
            A couple of responses mentioned the "stops", do these have anything to do with
            the two "bolts" that secure the lower ball joint to the A-arm?
            My reference earlier to "steering" came from the GM specs for the 67 which says that the steering wheel should travel 2.92 turns lock to lock and mine travels
            about 3.4 turns. Is the 2.92 factual and if so would this difference have any
            bearing on the tire rubbing the frame?

            Thanks again for all your help.
            Bill

            Comment

            • Joe C.
              Expired
              • August 31, 1999
              • 4598

              #7
              Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

              Bill:

              They are triangular "tabs" welded to the lower control arms which contact the steering knuckles at steering lock. They serve to limit the travel of the steering linkage. If you look under the car with the wheels at full lock, you will see the contact points on the knuckles.

              Joe

              Comment

              • Joe C.
                Expired
                • August 31, 1999
                • 4598

                #8
                Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

                Barry:

                A 205/70-15 is NOT a replacement for a 205/75-15. It has a smaller diameter, thus a smaller circumference, thus more revs/mile.

                Joe

                Comment

                • Gary S.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • July 31, 1992
                  • 1628

                  #9
                  Re: Front Wheel/Tire Rub Frame

                  Jim Shea is a retired engineer from the company of fine folks that built our steering components. If you go to the Corvette Forum, you should be able to post a request for an off line contact. In addition, go to www.corvettefaq.com, look up the steering section, and you will see lots of documents related to our steering components, all published by Jim.
                  Gary

                  Comment

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