New wheels = exhaust and center cap problem

dec322 · Nov 23, 2007

I just put on some 4 lug 03 cobra (looking) wheels. The problem is that the back tire (passenger side) rubs on the tailpipe. I can push the pipe over but it just comes back against the tire. Any way to move it and keep it over or should I just pull it off and put some dumps on it?

Also, the front tires are having issues with the center caps being pushed off (due to the hub thing?). There is room on the wheels for a deeper center cap but where can I buy them from? I can add pics if needed.

95cobraguy · Nov 23, 2007

wheel spacers to bring the wheel out further would keep the tire from hitting the exhaust.

SVT32VDOHC · Nov 23, 2007

Just take a BFH (Big F***ing Hammer) and beat in the tail pipe where it is rubbing on the wheel. No need to spend money on spacers or new exhaust.

Darkwriter77 · Nov 23, 2007

Depending on whether your exhaust is welded or clamped, you may be able to get the tailpipe to adjust a bit farther inward by loosening the clamps on both ends of the muffler and rotating it down slightly, and then re-adjusting the tailpipe. I would try that first before taking a hammer to your tailpipe, personally, but either way would work, I suppose.

Also, I don't think the tire rubbing the exhaust is so much an issue of your wheels as it might be your tire width and/or the design of the exhaust, itself. Frankenstang had problems with her Flowmaster cat-back's driver's side tailpipe rubbing the tire because of the way the thing came welded (they weld the muffs to the flow tubes before they send 'em, which is stupid because it doesn't allow for much adjustment). Had to crank things around a bit and beat on some stuff to make them fit better before it ceased to be a problem.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Nov 23, 2007

I wouldn't run spacers just to eliminate the rubbing thing...you'll probably just end up rubbing somewhere else. If your pipes aren't the bolt on flange type and you can't loosen them and move them over, take it to a muffler shop and have them cut/weld and massage them over as needed for some clearance.

dec322 · Nov 23, 2007

Yeah, wheel spacers aren't really an option for me b/c I don't like the idea of spacers on the rear tires.

The hammer thing could work but then I lose all the power from my "mandrel bent pipes"

They have been clamped in so I'll try to make some adjustments if I can. If I go to dumps will it make the car even louder on the inside? I want to avoid more noise on the inside of the car...it already has flowmasters on it and the noise is already too loud.

Any ideas on center caps?

Mustang5L5 · Nov 23, 2007

Just take the car to an exhaust shop and have them modify the piping to run slightly closer to the inside of the car.

Darkwriter77 · Nov 23, 2007

FWIW, yes, dumps will make it louder inside of your car. It will also make it more smelly ... unless you like the smell of exhaust and/or the cheap (and potentially lethal) buzz you'd get from carbon monoxide poisoning.

PJC Racing · Nov 23, 2007

Are these rims from a front wheel drive car? Sounds like it. Back spacing is much greater on front wheel drive. Unless you have some real poorly made rims, the rims designed to fit 4 lug fox should not need wheel spacers and should not have center cap problems. Take them back to where ever you got them.

dec322 · Dec 8, 2007

PJC Racing said:
Take them back to where ever you got them.

If only that were an option. I bought them from a guy while I was in TN (I live in AL) and he had them on his 92. I never asked about backspacing b/c I assumed they would fit...that is, if they were on his Fox then they should fit on mine.

Anyway, I got the exhaust taken care of at the shop (easy $25) but still haven't done anything about the centers on the front wheels. I'm worried about spacers b/c the wheels are already sticking out more than my pony rims. I'm not sure if I'll like the look of them sticking out another 1/4 of an inch. We'll see.

bretamo · Dec 9, 2007

In regards to the centers, it is most likely the hub's axle nut cap and bearing cap that is protruding too far into the wheel.

That cap is a pretty soft metal, so just hammer it down until you get the clearance you need. That's what I did, and the center caps stay on fine.

2000xp8 · Dec 9, 2007

For your rear tires to hit the pipes, you must of A: Had way too big of a tire on the car B:rim offset is pretty far off C: your exhaust must of been a mess.

I've had my car half a dozen ways, never has the tailpipes hit the tires.
You should take some pics, sounds like your rims may be sitting too far inboard and might look funny.

You sure all the rims you have are the same offset? Sometimes they look the same, but they are not. You wouldn't be the first person to mess that up.

Repostyle · Dec 9, 2007

2000xp8 said:
You sure all the rims you have are the same offset? Sometimes they look the same, but they are not. You wouldn't be the first person to mess that up.

This is my vote, if they fit on his, either your tail pipes need to be moved, or the wheels may be front and rear spacific and have different offsets. I don't think that would cure the dust cover/center cap issue, but it might solve the rubbing.

Repostyle · Dec 9, 2007

Another thought just popped in my head. Maybe the guy you bought them from had the same problems which is why he sold them.

dec322 · Dec 9, 2007

Repostyle said:
Another thought just popped in my head. Maybe the guy you bought them from had the same problems which is why he sold them.

This could be the case. His story is that he sold his car right after he bought the wheels and didn't want to sell the wheels with the car. The only rubbing issues he had were the fenders rubbing the outside of the wheel. He had to roll the fenders and remove the quad shocks. I have neither of these problems.
I emailed the guy to ask about the center cap/rubbing the a-arm problems and he never emailed me back. I have a problem trusting people when I shouldn't....I guess.
I think the exhaust problem has more to do with the shop that just fixed my clutch. Long story short: I noticed that the exhaust was sorta rubbing my tires on the pony rims.

dec322 · Dec 9, 2007

2000xp8 said:
You should take some pics, sounds like your rims may be sitting too far inboard and might look funny.

You sure all the rims you have are the same offset? Sometimes they look the same, but they are not. You wouldn't be the first person to mess that up.

I guess I'm not sure if they have the same offset. Here are a few pics:

This picture shows you how much the front wheels stick out:

The back tires are 285/40R17 and the fronts are 255/40R17

2000xp8 · Dec 9, 2007

Those tires are pretty wide, without the perfect offset, probably too wide.

I bet if the rears were 265's, there probably wouldn't be an issue.
But for your own sake, i'd measure all the offsets.

JamesB88 · Dec 9, 2007

Yea i would say those tires are probly to wide, I would go to a exhuast shop and have them "massage" the tail pipes to fit, the wide tires look good IMO.

dec322 · Dec 9, 2007

JamesB88 said:
Yea i would say those tires are probly to wide, I would go to a exhuast shop and have them "massage" the tail pipes to fit, the wide tires look good IMO.

Yeah, I like the wide tires on the back. The tail pipes are no longer an issue since I did take it to the exhaust shop. They took care of that problem.

New wheels = exhaust and center cap problem

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