89StangGTConvertible

Hi everyone!
The driver's side front tire rubs on GT trim when wheel is turned to the right. Current tire & wheel setup:
245/50/16 on 16 x 8 Cobra style rims (all the way around). 1/4" spacers added (all the way around for uniformity) to allow center caps to fit in front. Tire rubbed on front driver's side before and after spacer was installed. Mike (MJR46 on this forum) and I took a look at the situation last night... Seems there are a couple options; I don't really want to cut into the trim, so I'll rule that out right away... Less wide tires, as Mike suggested, seem to make the most sense...does anyone know, from first hand experience, if 225/50/16 tires will fit on my 16 x 8 rim, and if this will stop the rub on my 1989 Mustang GT Convertible?? Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks!

AdderMk2

A thinner tire might help. But 225/50/16 is the wrong size.

Is the wheel rubbing the front bumper, or sideskirt trim?

89StangGTConvertible

Hey Adder! Rubbing on front bumper trim. What size tires would you recommend, then? This is beyond annoying! I HATE that grinding/rubbing sound!

AdderMk2

The proper size would be 225/55/16.

I can't guarantee that it will help though. Can you post pictures of the problem?

89StangGTConvertible

Here's a pic, Adder. Why do you say 225/55/16? I am not doubting you, just wondering why the middle number wouldn't be 50 (same as rear tire height).

Pic removed

AdderMk2

Your car has some pretty severe suspension problems. If I were you I'd remove the spacers. You might want to bring your car to an alignment shop. Can you post a picture of your car from the side, with the wheels straight?
Also, you clearly know nothing about tire sizing. Please go do some reseach (google how to read tire sizes). A 225/55/16 is a 25.7" tire, which is stock (correct).

mjr46

Eric the middle number is the sidewall height, if you went with a 225/50/16, it may give it the dragster effect = higher in the back , lower in the front to balance it out addermk2 is right a 225/55/16 would be the first place to start, however, let me check my rack at the shop, I may have a 225/55/16 we could use as a test tire the next time you come up

AdderMk2

no, it is not... The middle number is the aspect ratio of the tread width which makes up the sidewall height. Example: 225/50/16 has a tread width of 225mm and a sidewall height of 112.5mm (which is 50% of 225mm)

mjr46

hey, go easy on him....and if you read, the spacers are there so he could get the center caps to go on, the grease fittings interfere with the caps with out the spacers, that is the only reason they are on there, and the wheel still hit before the spacer was installed just not as bad, Had we had time last night we'd of thrown it on the alignment rack to make sure all is set right, but from having "once" overed the car, there does not appear to be any suspension issues not does it looked like anyone has ever touched the settings as the factory rivits in the strut plates are still in place and his car has 60k on it, very well taken care of......the problem appears to be the "gumbo" donut wheels/tires he has.....awful lot of sidewall on them, my 245/50/16's I had were no where near like his, you can have 3 of the same size side by side and have large variances between different makes

mjr46

I know that..........I put it plain and simple so he could understand that, that is where you look in reference to sidewall to tread width ratio.........is that better to you??