I upgraded my tires from the stock 16's to 17's. As soon as I drove out of the tire place and got onto the highway I noticed my back tires rubbing the wheel wells. They rubbed so bad that I lost a good deal of rubber on the top/sides of both back tires. I took the car back and they rolled my fenders. This helped a little but did not correct the issue 100%, anytine I hit a dip in the road or have any extra weight in the car the tires still rub. I have seen mention of a spacer that may be usable to help. Can anyone confirm that this helps or have used the spacers before? Could my rear shocks be the issue? Any input would be helpful.

Tires:
Front: 245/40 17
Rear: 275/40 17

 

If your wheels and tires are the correct size 17's (meaning the same diamter as your 16's were), you'd probably have no problem. My guess is you went to a little larger diameter, am I right? If the tops of the tires are rubbing, I don't think spacers would really help, as they'd only move the tires out some. I think you probably need to do something with your springs. They're probably worn out from years of use. On one on my cars, I had the same problem with my rears. I fixed mine by just installing spacers in the springs. It will give you around an inch or more of lift, depending on what spacers you use, and will help keep the rear from bottoming out when you hit a dip. By the way, I used the metal adjustable spring lifters, 2 on each spring. Same place on the spring, one on the inside and one on the outside. Hope this helps.

 

What year, make, and model do you have?

 

Thanks GMDCAMARO and you are right, I did go a little larger for the tire size because the sales guy siad they would work =). My springs are the original as far as I know so I will focus on either replacing those or tweaking them with the spacers. An extra inch would surely keep me from bottoming out. As far as those springs go, is that something I could possibly install myself?

 

96 RS 3800 II. Pretty much all stock with the exceptions of a few after market mods...Cold Air Kit and the 3.5 Flowmasters

 

whats the backspacing on the wheels. i think u need at least 5.5. lets see pictures

 

if both wheels are rubbing on the outside then the rim offset pushes them out too far, are wheel aftermarket then? I have heard of people fitting 315 wide rears with no issues.

 

^^^If the sides are rubbing and the wheel shop rolled your fenders in an attempt to remedy it, the problem is offset. adding spacers will only make the problem worse. I think a wheel salesman is due for a good reaming. Rolling your fenders to fix a problem caused by wheels that they said would fit is total B.S.!

 

275/40 17's fit perfectly fine if the wheels have the correct offset...trust me

You can fit 275/40 17's all the way around the car and up to a 315 in the rear without rubbing providing your wheels are correct.

 

my BMW M3 alloys just scrape on the outer edge, so i cut arches down. But they are 9J wheels with +22 offset and 255 wide tyres. I think standard wheels are +50 offset and sit in the arch more.

Do you know what size wheels you have? If you are fitting 275 i believe they are likely 9.5J wide, thus you could probably have an offset as low as +30? with no problems. If it is less you have been sold the wrong wheels