Just put on a set of 8" Snowflakes and they rub on the tie rods.

[Pontiacdaver]

Hello all,

I just put a set of 8" Pontiac Snowflakes on my 79 Grand Am with 235/60-15 tires. The tires aren't the problem, the inner edge of the rims (which I just had powder-coated) rub on the outer tie rods and the spindle arm the tie rods attach to. I've seen at least a half dozen of these cars with these wheels on them (even the 1978 Grand Am CA concept car had them) so I never anticipated a problem.

Anyone else had this issue? If so, how did you fix it? My thought is to round off the edge of the wheel (it is right where the bead lip is) and possibly a little off the spindle arm but I'm not shot on grinding on the tie rods. I would guess (put them on last night and was tired, so when they rubbed, I just parked it.) 1/16-1/8" should make them clear.

Thanks in advance for any input, Dave

 

[Texas82GP]

Would a wheel spacer help? Maybe its a backspacing issue?

 

[Injectedcutty]

As Jared suggested....double check the backspacing because if they are F body pontiac wheels they will have more backspace than others.
Someone correct me if wrong, but somewhere i remember seeing the 15x8" had near 5" of backspace which is too much for our cars without mods....people run the rear wheels on the front to help curb the rub issue.
I would also suggest a small spacer if tge clearance issue is 1/8" or less.

 

[Pontiacdaver]

Thanks for the input. I'm sure it's a backspacing issue but I didn't expect it on these wheels because I've seen several on GAs. Unlike the later wheels used on the 3rd Gen F bodies, these don't have a specific front and rear orientation. I am looking into spacers and whether I could/should grind the contact areas.

-Dave

 

[Jason Elrick]

I am going through the same problem at the moment. I have gone the spacer route and put in longer wheel studs.

 

[lilbowtie]

Have to agree with others - wouldn't recommend grinding.

 

[TURNA]

If possible why not use the 15x7's up front

 

[Pontiacdaver]

If possible why not use the 15x7's up front

That is probably the easiest way to fix the problem, BUT I only have the 4 8", I've already paid for powder-coating, and put 4 235/60-15 tires on, plus I love the look.
I have decided, in part based on opinions here, that spacers are the smarter way to go.

Thanks, Dave

 

[TURNA]

Two 15x8's would be an very easy sell for almost double what 15x7's sell for.

You could possibly even have some $$ left over after selling them,buying 2 15x7's and powdered coating them.

I'm just not a fan of spacers.

 

[UNGN]

The B-body spindle/1LE 12" brake conversion would space the wheel out about 3/8" naturally and should fit with just shaving the sharp corners off the tie rods, if at all - shouldn't affect their strength by very much.

The LS1 brakes also space the wheels out 3/8" naturally, but won't fit a 15" wheel.

As others had said, spacer with longer wheel studs is the cheapest easiest fix.