17's rubbing???

[HWFSTRU]

So I just swapped my factory 18's and stock tires with a local guy for his factory 17's and stock tires (swaped so I can run DR's). My 18's fit fine, but the 17's are setting just under a 1/4 inch away from the struts. The distance is equal on both sides, but I am concerned they are going to rub! How much room do you guys have between the tire and the strut. I have heard horror stories of people blowing out tires from strut rub...:eek: HELP!


EDIT: I can't imagine it, but do they align the cars with 18's different than the 17's at the factory. I would think the car would have the same factory specs regardless of factory wheel choice 17's or 18's.

[J.E.T.]

So I just swapped my factory 18's and stock tires with a local guy for his factory 17's and stock tires (swaped so I can run DR's). My 18's fit fine, but the 17's are setting just under a 1/4 inch away from the struts. The distance is equal on both sides, but I am concerned they are going to rub! How much room do you guys have between the tire and the strut. I have heard horror stories of people blowing out tires from strut rub...:eek: HELP!


EDIT: I can't imagine it, but do they align the cars with 18's different than the 17's at the factory. I would think the car would have the same factory specs regardless of factory wheel choice 17's or 18's.

I'm having the same concern now, in reverse. I had to go to 18" rims/tires due to my 17" rim mfg. not making my rims anymore and I had one bad one. Went with Beyern 5's and Nitto Invo 245x18. Running a Pedders Street II so the rear is no problem, front does concern me a little though. Taking it to my shop tomorrow for a look see to make sure nothing's going to go bump in the night.

JET

[RobertHammen]

So I just swapped my factory 18's and stock tires with a local guy for his factory 17's and stock tires (swaped so I can run DR's). My 18's fit fine, but the 17's are setting just under a 1/4 inch away from the struts. The distance is equal on both sides, but I am concerned they are going to rub! How much room do you guys have between the tire and the strut. I have heard horror stories of people blowing out tires from strut rub...:eek: HELP!


EDIT: I can't imagine it, but do they align the cars with 18's different than the 17's at the factory. I would think the car would have the same factory specs regardless of factory wheel choice 17's or 18's.

Search this forum for the revised GTO alignment specs (may also be on the PeddersUSA web site). The stock 17's are a 245 width, versus the 235 of the stock 18's, so there is less tolerance. If you have under 7500 miles you might get your dealer to pay for an alignment, otherwise spend the $60 for peace of mind (what I did - and I don't have much, if any, rub at 14,300 miles). I dont' think they are aligned differently from the factory, I just think the factory alignment is... "sloppy" and there's less tolerance with the 17's.

--Robert

[HWFSTRU]

OK, so I went to both Pontiac Dealerships in my area this morning as was less than satisfied with the results. Niether one of the dealerships had any Goats on the lot so I couldn't look under one myself, but the personnel in the shop suggested that the distance I have between the strut and the insided of the tire normal and told me to basically get over it. I asked for a warranty allignment to be sure everything is OK, but was told it would make no difference and to come back if I can prove something is actually a problem. After that BS, I headed over to my local Jensen's Auto and had them put it on the rack. The technition took a look at the spacing between the strut and the wheel and said it would make him unconfortable with the tolerances being so slim, but an alignment would not help open the gap since when you add or subtract camber it is at the strut and the wheel will follow the strut movement either out or in. I guess that is logical.

I was wondering if one of you fine folks on this board with factory 17's and factory rubber wouldn't mind taking a pic under your car of the gap between the strut and tire (and posting it) so I can see if mine is standard or rediculously close. I want to know if I have a leg to stand on before I go pissing in Pontiac's Wheaties.

Thanks
Chris

[HWFSTRU]

Well, it looks like I am going back to my factory 18's... seems like the best idea since there is no good answer as to how to fix this strut rub issue. Thanks to TAZ GTO for helping me out during this swap and research on a fix action.

[Southern Goat]

I had strut rub with my 17's. A good alignment and keeping the tire pressure at 35lbs will fix it. I have put about 3500 miles since the alignment and I check the tire pressure every weekend....no issues and yes the wheel is close to the strut. SG