my draglites wont fit, HELP!!!

D347643 · Mar 14, 2004

i think ive really done it this time.... i got some 15x10 draglites with some 295/50/15's on them and i switched to side exit exhaust and took out my quad shocks hopoing they would fit. I asked numerous numerous times on here about wheel size and what would fit and everyone told me 6.5" backspacing would work, so thats what i got, and now they are rubbing on the inner sheetmetal! I tried a 1/2 inch spacer and they still rub, barely. I'm so mad and confused about what i should do! can someone give me any ideas? My dad said that i shouldnt touch the inner sheetmetal either since it's support for the shock, and structural support since its a unibody. also, are wheel spacers a bad idea cause id need like a 3/4 inch spacer to get them to fit.

thanks,

Drew

hllon4whls · Mar 14, 2004

D347643 said:
i think ive really done it this time.... i got some 15x10 draglites with some 295/50/15's on them and i switched to side exit exhaust and took out my quad shocks hopoing they would fit. I asked numerous numerous times on here about wheel size and what would fit and everyone told me 6.5" backspacing would work, so thats what i got, and now they are rubbing on the inner sheetmetal! I tried a 1/2 inch spacer and they still rub, barely. I'm so mad and confused about what i should do! can someone give me any ideas? My dad said that i shouldnt touch the inner sheetmetal either since it's support for the shock, and structural support since its a unibody. also, are wheel spacers a bad idea cause id need like a 3/4 inch spacer to get them to fit.

thanks,

Drew

Beat the crap out of the inner fender. Dont rip it. Try to make it look decent. If you have spacers, make sure you have enough threads holding the wheel on to be safe.

D347643 · Mar 14, 2004

but isnt the inner fender well part of structural support since its welded to the spring housings?

D347643 · Mar 14, 2004

Idwitheld-1` · Mar 14, 2004

D347643 said:
but isnt the inner fender well part of structural support since its welded to the spring housings?

I think the spring perch is welded to the frame...at least it should be

I installed gears and removed the rear axel....the perch was right on the curved upturn of the frame rails.

Lots of guys adjust their sheet metal, especially the autocrossers and drag guys looking to but giant rollers in the fenders. Just jack up the car and take a peek...

Spacers make me nervous. If you run them I would use longer studs. Can you return the wheels?

hllon4whls · Mar 14, 2004

D347643 said:
but isnt the inner fender well part of structural support since its welded to the spring housings?

It does offer support, but there is a bracket that is welded to the frame. Take a look under there.

cevtv · Mar 14, 2004

Idwitheld-1` said:
Can you return the wheels?

No one is going to take them back after they have had tires mounted.

Idwitheld-1` · Mar 14, 2004

cevtv said:
No one is going to take them back after they have had tires mounted.

Good point. Do you think a test fit of the rims would have revealed anything?

D347643 · Mar 14, 2004

yeah they arent going anywhere, but i mocked up the wheels with a 1/2 inch spacer and i pounded the fender well and they will fit with just the 1/2. hooray!

BADPONYsc · Mar 14, 2004

I've had to do some inner fender "massaging" before and believe me, the frame can take a beating. If you know the tires rub, then you've obviously driven it and heard it. So now, put it on jack stands, remove the wheels, and you should see marks where it was scraping. Commence to beating the rub spots with a hammer. The inner fenderwells are just sheet metal covering the frame, spring perch, etc. There is a little bit of gap between the sheetmetal part and the structural part. If you beat the rub spots with a hammer, the sheetmetal will give a little and provide a little extra clearance. You'll know when there's no more to gain because the frame and spring perch ain't goin' NOwhere and you'll notice that the hammering isn't gaining you any more clearance. Stop at that point because no amount of beating is going to move that frame or spring perch.
Spacers are fine as long as you get longer studs, like Moroso's for example. You don't want the lug nuts to be attached to only a little of the stud's thread at the tip. They are prone to break off like that and you could lose a wheel.
And no, noone will take wheels back after tires have been installed.
Hope this helps!

BADPONYsc · Mar 14, 2004

Ooops, posted to late.

Glad you worked it out! Now...... pics please?

89MustangGX · Mar 14, 2004

I assume it was the tires -- not the wheels rubbing...that's a wide tire, but you should be able to make it fit. I'm pretty sure alot of the Drag Radial guys run 325's out back!

BADPONYsc · Mar 14, 2004

Mmmmmm.... 325's.....

TheGTkid · Mar 15, 2004

haha yeah big tires rule!!!! now get some pics up!!!

hllon4whls · Mar 15, 2004

TheGTkid said:
haha yeah big tires rule!!!! now get some pics up!!!

Yeah, either post some pics or PM me with some. To heck with the other guys!

ironmedic · Mar 15, 2004

i have 295/50/15's on my car right now. i beat the crap out of my inner fender well lip but there will be one thing. since the axle floats a bit, your tires will ride on the inner walls a little bit and scorch them some. i have scorch marks inside my fender well from it. my car is on a boat for the states so i will take care of it when i get there.

hllon4whls · Mar 18, 2004

D347643 said:
yeah they arent going anywhere, but i mocked up the wheels with a 1/2 inch spacer and i pounded the fender well and they will fit with just the 1/2. hooray!

Are we ever going to get any pics of this? I am interested in how a 10 inch rim fits. I may start looking for a set.

Did I do that math right? Is that an 11.6 inch wide tire?

5.0fox · Mar 18, 2004

i just put 275's on and needed to beat the fenderwell and make a 1/4 inch spacer im interested how a 325 would fit so post some wide tire pics if you have them

D347643 · Mar 19, 2004

haha dude i will get pics but i have to get them on therre first! im waiting on spacers and longer studs. chillllllll

Drew

Hissing Cobra · Mar 19, 2004

I'm glad that everything has worked out. I have the same size tires on 15x8 inch Weld Draglites with 4.5 inch backspacing. Mine do not rub at all, and not a single hammer was needed to massage the metal. However, I did install rear airbags to prevent the rear quarter panels from "squatting" on takeoffs, thus preventing the inner wheelwell lips from slicing into the sidewalls. The car still rides at "Normal" height, and you can't tell that there's even any airbags in there, unless you look.

According to Summit Racing's newest catalog, these tires are 9-1/2 inches wide.

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