Hello, I have a 72 with 225 70 15" with stock wheels and manual steering. It rubs the fenderwel when i turn the steering wheel all the way to the right just enough to make a light rubbing noise. It is only when i am pulling in the drive way with the wheel turned all the way. Does anyone else have this problem with 225 tires. Thanks Eric
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Re: Tire rubbing when turning
The '78 and later Shark cars used P225/70R15 tires while earlier cars were equipped with F-70/G-70 polyglass tread. Clearance in the wheel wells is tight and not all tires with in the same size category have IDENTICAL geometry (size rating is a 'generic' issue). Last, IF the car was hit and repaired in its prior life, body work could have changed dimensions in the wheel well. So, the two issues (specific geometry of the particular P225/70R15 tires you have, and wheel well dimensional integrity) CAN be related.
The '70-72 NCRS JG book sheds a little light. It calls out P215/70R15 tires as the 'correct' service replacement size for the application and adds:
"Original equipment Goodyear tires have an overall diameter of 26.92 inches, sectin width of 8.35 inches and a tread width, estimated by Goodyear, as 6.26 inches. Radial replacement tires fo brands and/or sizes other than Goodyear or Firestone P215/70R15 require a specification sheet to show that they are approximately equal to the OEM dimensions to receive credit."
How much beyond the above dimensions you can go before you eat up the design safety margin in the stock wheel wells is something I can't tell you. I know I run P215/70R15 tires from Goodrich on my stock '71 without a hitch. It might be that with P225/70R15 tread, you're tickling the dragon's tail depending on the specific dimensions from a given manufacturer in combination with your car's current wheel well geometry.
Since these tires are NOT expensive, you might want to visit a tire retailer who sells the brand you have and compare geometry specifics based on the data above. Plus, at $50-70 each, it surely won't cost the GNP to scale DOWN your front tires to P215/70R15 to see if that solves ye olde problema! -
Re: Tire rubbing when turning
Jack, I got underneath there today and saw that it is rubbing the frame a little. Sould i get 215 on the front and leave 225 on the back or 215 all around. That is if the tire demensions of the 225's at the tire place does'nt go with the specs it is supposed to. EricComment
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