legacycentral bbs

I picked up a set of GC RS six spokes. Had Falken RT615Ks in 225/50R16 mounted.

They fit fine in the front but in the back the tire contacts the bottom of the spring perch on the shocks. On the back of my car are silver KYBs (fronts are black).

So how do I solve this problem?

1. I am already tempted to get coilovers, will any reasonable set give me the clearance I need?

2. The shop suggested spacers. I see this causing more problems because extended lug studs are going to necessitate a new set of lugs. I'm not sure if I need 10mm or 15mm to clear. If it doesn't clear I'm screwed, if 15mm puts it out too far I'll need to roll my fenders, equaling even more $$.

So wise forum, what are your thoughts?

I would pawn off the tires and get a set of 205/55-16. Or 215/50-16.

The 225/50/16 are only .79 wider than 205/55/16, what is the offset on the wheels? And what year is the car? 90-91 have lower spring perches than 92-94.

rallyak wrote:The 225/50/16 are only .79 wider than 205/55/16, what is the offset on the wheels? And what year is the car? 90-91 have lower spring perches than 92-94.

The wheels are 16x7 53 offset.

The car is a 91 SS.

I did not know that the 91s had lower spring perches. So maybe if I fit KYBs for a GC I will get close, and 10mm (0.40 inch) spacers will give me the rest?

My suspension is done so I have no issues with replacing it.

I only put 215/45/17's because thats the limit without issues, and this is on a 93.
Guessing here: you would have to get the newer rear shocks/springs AND probably a 15mm spacer ( as the 10 might still be off)

Where are you at? You might post that as forum members close to you might have a set of wheels/tires to assist your spacing questions.

Yeah in hindsight I should have done more homework.

I am located in the SF bay area, If somebody can help me out they will be getting some beer

I know it's probably not the best option, but I know others have used a hammer to bang in the lower strut perch mount a little bit so the tire fits. That may work if it's close, but if it doesn't fit by a lot, that probably wouldn't be the best solution.

Hammer was going to be my suggestion.

The problem with spacers is that there is not enough wheel stud for more than like 3-5mm. There are wider spacers that bolt to the lugs and then have their own studs in them.

I had those wheels and that size tire on my 1st gen but it was with different struts.

After considering everything I am probably going to get a set of H&R street coilovers to resolve this.

Hell yeah! Let us know how they fit. I think i'm gonna do Raceland's pretty soon.

I ended up selling the Falkens to a friend. Today I had Bridgestone S04s in 205/50/R16 mounted up.

And they rub.

Rears just barely rub on the sping perches, just enough for me to drive away, and get half way home before I smelled something a little funky. I just got done driving around really slowly to let the little bit of tire rub off. Rather do it that way than bash the spring perches in.

The rears also rub on the fenders over bumps.

All in all these things are not bolt on for 91s.

I'm not accusing, but something's not right (Thanks, Mr. Obvious) w/your rear suspension or the wheels.

The stock tires are 195/50R-16 (24.21 diameter), which are about 1/2" shorter than the 205/55R-16 (24.88"), which are ~ same height as 225/50R-16 (24.86"), and the 205/50R-16 are only 24.07". 1010tires calc......What did you have on their previously?

I read above where the '90-91 perches are lower, but this is the 1st post I've read that someone had trouble w/a simple "+1" tire/wheel combo.

I'm wondering if your rear silver KYB's are not correct? They should have a part number on them, if it's not worn off.

Td

I had the stock wheels and tire fitment on before. No rubbing at all.

I'll take a look at the KYBs.

In the front fitment is fine, I can easily get my finger between the tire and the spring perch.

Font is never the problem only the rear. only problem with the rear spacer is then you'll run into issue with the fender

That is crazy. I have RS 6-spokes running 205/50/16 on my '91 and haven't had any issues.

Change that to rubbing pretty bad on the rear fenders when going around corners.

I just can not win with this one. Hopefully I can roll/pull the fenders next weekend. It will be a week of gingerly driving to work...

I'm confused why you would want a thinner tire width wise if it isn't clearing tall wise, he could keep the 225 and for for a 225/45 or 225/40 to get rid of some sidewall to get the clearence.

Getting spacers are absolutely contradicting because they put more strain on your wheel bearings..

I'm guessing that you would get a thinner tire width wise so you can stretch it a tiny bit and concave the sidewall away from the perch, instead of straight up and down it's stretched and pulled a bit over.

Rolling fenders isn't hard and you can do a mild pull with a heat gun, that will help a ton.

I also had a set of 205/55/16 tires mounted on 2.5RS wheels on a '91 Turbo Legacy with OEM struts and absolutely no interference problems, not even close to the perch in the rear and no rubbing on the fenders even under very hard cornering. Had the same setup on a '94 with no issues there either.

I second that there is something not right.

I have seen it rub an my friends 91 wagon with RS 6 spokes and 205/50/16 tires. It did not rub on my 91SS and does not rub on my 93TW.

My guess is that there is variation in the spring perch size/location within the strut product mix available.

Hammer the perch or get the H&R/Bielstein coilovers. I loved those on my 91SS.