Tire/wheel clearance issue

[SCIV]

Hey everyone. I am the proud owner (well, my wife drives it!) of a new 2007 Dark metallic blue Tahoe. I am in the process of debadging, new grill, bowties & dropping. I will post pics when I get finished with it. Got the new 22's on there, but I am having a rubbing issue with the tires hitting the sway bar on lock-to-lock turns. All other clearances appear OK.

I am running the Eagle 026 wheels with 305/40 Grabber UHP's. The wheel isn't hitting, but rather the rubber of the sidewall/corner of the tread.

I haven't seen anyone else mention this, and was wondering if 1/4" spacers are needed on the front? Offset for the wheels is 40mm.

Thanks in advance!

 

[73shark]

Since the stock offset is +31mm, wouldn't a spacer make it worse? How wide are your 22s?

 

[SCIV]

Eagle Alloy 026
22 X 9.5
40mm offset

http://www.americaneaglewheel.com/images/categories/026.jpg

 

[Gambler]

Eagle Alloy 026
22 X 9.5
40mm offset

http://www.americaneaglewheel.com/images/categories/026.jpg

oo, I like those :yesnod:

 

[SCIV]

oo, I like those :yesnod:

Thanks, me too!

Anyone have comments on them rubbing the sway bar?

 

[Snomon]

Since the stock wheels are +31 and you have +40 that means the wheel is closer in the fenderwell. The 1/4" spacer yields (1/4")x(25.4mm/1 inch) = 6.35 mm. which effectively puts you back at +40-6.35= +33.65mm. I'm sure it will help you from banging on the sway bar but you still may have an issue.

Maybe you can adjust the steering bump stop outward after the spacer install?

 

[Gambler]

I think your problem is that the offset you have is 40 and stock is 31. The larger your offset number the closer your tire is going to be to the sway bar. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 9.5" is also wider than stock tires (7.5" if I remember correctly). Assuming that is correct, using this calculator, you can see that you have 34mm (~1.3") less clearance on the inside of the wheel well, and it now extends 16mm (~.6") further outside of the wheel well than it did before. I think a spacer will do the trick, but I've heard negative things on them. Maybe somebody who has used them can chime in.

 

[Gambler]

Snomon beat me to it...

 

[SCIV]

Thanks guys, I will look into it.
S.C.

 

[73shark]

The negative things I heard about spacers was the extra stress they put on the studs can lead to broken studs. :ack:

 

[johnebgoode]

^ +1.................spacers are a big no no

 

[raiderrick]

also with spacers the steering wheel tends to vibrate at speeds above 50m.p.h you should of got 35mm offset also the rim shop should have known better

 

[Tahoe07]

also with spacers the steering wheel tends to vibrate at speeds above 50m.p.h you should of got 35mm offset also the rim shop should have known better

+1

To give you a wider rim and an offset that pushes the rim IN was just asking for trouble. Have you tried going back to the rim shop to exchange the rims?

 

[SCIV]

+1

To give you a wider rim and an offset that pushes the rim IN was just asking for trouble. Have you tried going back to the rim shop to exchange the rims?

It was Discount Tire. I have already called them and they said they would make it right. Just have to find time now. They only hit on sharp turns, so I will just have to take it easy for now.

 

[SCIV]

Update...the tires don't hit when sitting, or when backing up; only driving forward! That doesn't make any sense to me, but that it what is going on. I am looking at another set of wheels with a 35mm offset, but I don't know if that will clear with the 305/40's. Another option is to change to a 285/45R22.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Gambler]

I think a 35 offset with those 9.5" tires would still be too close for comfort, for me at least. I'd say park it and turn the wheel all the way and try to measure how much room you have between the sway bar and the tire when it is parked. Then use this calculator to try and figure out what offset would make you comfortable.