I NEED HELP WITH MAJOR TIRE RUB.

[LIVE4RDO]

Hello everyone. Once again, I need to fall back on your knowledge and experience.

Here is what I have: 1978 Malibu 2 door. Previous owner upgraded the suspension with the following:

B body (1978-1987 Caprice-Impala) spindles
F body rotors (199x 9C1 Camaro)

he istalled the 15x8 Aero wheels with 4" backspacing all around with 235-60-15 in the front and 255-60-15 in the rear.

Front tires hit front part of the fenderwell. I was told to switch to 15x7 wheels with 3.75" bs, but Aero has these wheels only with 3.5" backspacing. I don't want to spend a ton of money on new wheels right now, so I got the two wheels with 3.5" backspacing. Same problem!!!

I'm attaching three pictures: both front wheels with 15x8, 4"bs rims and passenger side wheel with 15x7, 3.5" bs.


PLEASE HELP!! WHAT SHOULD I DO?

DRIVER SIDE WITH 15X8, 4" BS

PASSENGER SIDE WITH 15X8, 4" BS

PASSENGER SIDE WITH 15X7, 3.5" BS

THANK YOU.

 

[Longroof79]

Have you looked into having an alignment done? Your caster could be off a bit. Perhaps when the previous owner installed the B-body spindles and new rotors he never had it properly aligned.
The 15 x 8 wheels with 4" backspace should work fine. The 3.5" backspace would push the wheels slightly outward and could cause more of a tendency to rub the fenders. But honestly, I'm leaning towards the alignment issue.

Years ago when I was running 70 series tires. The fronts would rub on turning the wheels. It would hit the inner part of my airdam. So I ended up cutting away a small portion for clearance. That was with a taller tire.

 

[LIVE4RDO]

The alignmnet was just done. That was what I thought, but it did not help.

 

[breeaad]

I have the same size tires on 15x7 SIII's and they don't come close to rubbing where yours do. Seems like something is off, even with the spindle swap.

 

[Longroof79]

Yeah, I'm also thinking that something isn't kosher with the spindle swap. There's no reason why 235/60-15's should come that close to the fender edges...with either 15 x 7's or 8's.

Maybe some guys who had done a B-body spindle swap will chime in. You might also want to post the question over at Maliburacing. I think there's several guys over there that have done the swap. Also, look at the Monte Carlo SS forum. Check the tech info threads at either forum.

 

[81Regal]

Does it still have the stock A (control) arms or aftermarket ones?

 

[oldtinsmith]

LS6Tommy over at Malibu Racing has a lot of knowledge on the B-body spindle swap and some of the issues!

Doug

Seems to me that the B-body spindle swap adds a slight amount to the track width (1/2" each side maybe?).

 

[megaladon6]

i'd pull a rim and measure the backspacing, make sure what you were told you have is actually what you have.

 

[LIVE4RDO]

Control arms are Global West.

The backspacing is right, I checked the part number with Summit.

I did post the question on MalibuRacing, but so far the case is still open.

 

[megaladon6]

no, i mean measure it. part numbers get screwed up all the time.