strut rub

[iamdiceman]

I've been considering getting a GTO, but this strut rub problem I've been reading about is really discouraging :( .

Does every GTO have this problem? or do we just have a sizeable share of unlucky people on this Message board?

Is the problem more-so with the stock 17's ? do the 18's have this problem?

Since a wheel alignment fixes it, why are these cars getting out of alignment so bad, or so often?

I like a fast car like anyone else.. But I've owned old chevy trucks and never had an alignment done and never had the bad tire wear or any indications that i Should've gotten one.

So Basically WTF is wrong, and WTF is up with GM, why cant they just find a Fix. "spirited Driving could get quite dangerous with this kind of problem.

I really want a GTO bad too, but i wouldn't want a 30k car thats in the shop all the time, the headaches arent worth the fun.

Thanks, for any input.
Diceman.

[gtoN8]

I've been considering getting a GTO, but this strut rub problem I've been reading about is really discouraging :( .

Does every GTO have this problem? or do we just have a sizeable share of unlucky people on this Message board?

Is the problem more-so with the stock 17's ? do the 18's have this problem?

Since a wheel alignment fixes it, why are these cars getting out of alignment so bad, or so often?

I like a fast car like anyone else.. But I've owned old chevy trucks and never had an alignment done and never had the bad tire wear or any indications that i Should've gotten one.

So Basically WTF is wrong, and WTF is up with GM, why cant they just find a Fix. "spirited Driving could get quite dangerous with this kind of problem.

I really want a GTO bad too, but i wouldn't want a 30k car thats in the shop all the time, the headaches arent worth the fun.

Thanks, for any input.
Diceman.

I don't know man, my goat has about 3,500 miles on it with the stock 17s and tires with no strut rub. I don't abuse mine, but I do drive spirited and I've had her to the track a couple times. If everyone had this problem, GM would be forced to do something about it, but not everyone does. One thing to keep in mind, tire pressure is crucial, and keeping all 4 tires at 35psi cold is a neccessity. I check mine once a week, but I recommend checking at least twice a month. A lot of people ignore tire pressure, and with clearances tight with the 245 fronts, you don't want saggy side walls.

Don't let this discourage you from buying a GTO, these cars are an absolute blast for 30K. There are lots of people that are not experiencing this problem, and I have yet to hear of someone with 18's having the rub. Remember, not everyone that owns a GTO posts on this forum, and not everyone on this forum has strut rub.
So get a GTO and start your SEG :gears:

[HORTENSE]

the GTO is such an awesome ride! you have to join the club... despite the strut rub. i have 5600 miles on my 06, and it has the 18's... too young to find out if it'll get a rubbin' or not. but the past few months have been GRRREEAAATT!!! get yourself a GTO... an 06 at that...yea. :mullet:

[MidwestPd]

I've been considering getting a GTO, but this strut rub problem I've been reading about is really discouraging :( .

Does every GTO have this problem? or do we just have a sizeable share of unlucky people on this Message board?

Is the problem more-so with the stock 17's ? do the 18's have this problem?

Since a wheel alignment fixes it, why are these cars getting out of alignment so bad, or so often?

I like a fast car like anyone else.. But I've owned old chevy trucks and never had an alignment done and never had the bad tire wear or any indications that i Should've gotten one.

So Basically WTF is wrong, and WTF is up with GM, why cant they just find a Fix. "spirited Driving could get quite dangerous with this kind of problem.

I really want a GTO bad too, but i wouldn't want a 30k car thats in the shop all the time, the headaches arent worth the fun.

Thanks, for any input.
Diceman.

I would say that the true issue of strut rub is solely in the wheel offset as there is plenty of room to come out from the well to clear your strut, you can also go with a smaller tire or offset strut mounts if need be. Do not be mistaken as the fix to strut rub is not to straighten your wheel to clear the strut. Inner tire wear due to negative camber is an inherent issue in sports cars and is something that is always dealt with.

The overall package of the GTO for the money is second to none. There is no car on the market for the money that can compete with the overall fit and finish as well as the powerplant. Do not get me wrong, there are plenty of things to bitch about the ol' GTO but I must say that this comes with any new production car it seems. This car in my opinion is undervalued, overlooked, and low in production numbers, if you are in the market for a sports car that with a solid overall package with plenty of room to grow than the choice is simple.

[Fast GTO]

Like above said, if you do get the rub just get 235 tires up front.

[smyla]

Not all have the problem. I don't and I have stock 17's on right now. Some cars have the problem right from the factory since the factory spec for alignment is so broad. So its not necessarily an issue of the car "getting out of" alignment.

If you do have the issue, the first stop would be to the dealer. You should get an alignment covered under warranty.

[lanceygto]

I did an alignment and all is well. Some people suspect that it was all an alignment error at Holden that sent these casrs with -1.1 front right camber. On top of that the wheel offset is very close. I had the strut rub and honestly that would not discourage me from getting a GTO. What kills me is GM's reponse or lack of while attending this issue. That you would get from all car dealers anyway.

Right now there is no other car that will give you more bang for the buck than the GTO. it is a fast car and well built. Only drawback is its weight.

[SunsetHawkSelena]

my 05 just turned 7,000 miles. i have no strut rub, no water leaks, and no pinched fuel lines. the problems that are posted on this board do not affect every GTO. they may appear that way because we are a close-knit community of GTO owners, but i know of more people wihtout these problems, than i know of people that do have thse problems.

[smyla]

my 05 just turned 7,000 miles. i have no strut rub, no water leaks, and no pinched fuel lines. the problems that are posted on this board do not affect every GTO. they may appear that way because we are a close-knit community of GTO owners, but i know of more people wihtout these problems, than i know of people that do have thse problems.


You can go to any car specific forum and you will hear the horror stories of that particular car. People who have problems are much more eager to post. You don't see a lot of posts saying "Hey, everything is OK with my car today. I'll check back tomorrow and post again"

[QwkRed05GTO]

I had stock 17 inch wheel/tire combo for 8,000 miles with no problems and now have 18" Thruxtons w/ 245/40/18 tires and no prob with strut or fender rub. Besides a bad battery at 120 miles, my car has been trouble free for 10,000 miles.

[Tails]

25,000 miles and no strut rub.


:drink::drink:

[Fulton 1]

I think you'll find that most of the folks having problems are using the OEM 17" wheels and 245's. Mine with the OEM 18's and 235's has ~ 0.25" clearance even with ~ -0.5 degrees of camber.

I've stated this before - there is an easy fix for those having the rub problem. Simply pick up a set of thin hubcentric wheel spacers. This will solve your problem.

[RDGGTO]

I just replaced the stock 17" wheels/tires today with new 18" wheels/tires, and I noticed a little strut rub on both sides. My alignment seems fine. The 18s with the 235 size tire have plenty of clearance. I think Pontiac just tried to put too large a tire on the GTO. The 18" wheel and 235 size tires are standard on the Monaros.

[BlueVaGTO]

The OEM tires aren't great. But, outside of 1 total flat at 60 mph, and 2 nails in the tires, it's been 22,000 of near perfection.
It's been as good as the wife's Honda....

My tires are at the end of their life. I'll probably buy them through the dealer, so that the dealer is responsible if they don't fit. I won't buy BFG KDWS's.

I'm considering the General Exclaim UHP's and BFG KDW's or perhaps the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport's. I've ruled out the Goodyear F1 G3-D3's which seem to have balance problems. Still looking...

It's a great car. Fantastic. Fun & reliable.

Wayne