Help...installed 17x9 rims (tires are 245/45/17) today and have a couple problems:

1. Inside of front rims rub on control arm (rear side of front control arm).

this pic is through the rim:
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this pic is from under the car / A-arm


2. Rear wheel rubs on something -might be the parking brake cables but the small shocks (dampers) are really close also.

What have you done to remedy these problems with 17x9 rims on fox bodies?

Also washed the car today after it hibernated for 5 months:
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Looks like the backspacing is off. You may need some shims. BRAND NEW rims?

If so take back to where you bought them and explain the issue.

Cheers

 

Thanks. They're used and came off another fox but don't think the last owner had any problems. What are shims?

 

In this case a metal disk that goes in between the rim and the rotor, looks like a 1/4 inch thick one would be enough but you should check with a tire shop to make sure.

 

OK...I guess it's buys me a little extra space when I turn the front wheels right? Thought I may have a tire rub with the 17x9 but didn't expect the rims to rub the A-arm up front.

 

In the rear you can remove your quads(dampers) if need be. That's what I had to do. By the way nice looking Stang.

 

So what was the outcome. I am interested in this because I too have ordered
17 x 9 cobra replicas withe the same size tires for my 89 gt vert. I was told by the manufacturer that there should be no probs with them. I'm starting to wonder....

Bill

 

I have FMS UCAs and Max Motorsport LCAs to install on the rear so i should be able to remove the quads afterwards. I'll tie back the parking brake cables and get them checked to see if they're installed/routed properly.

Billpo, I was advised to use rack limiters to stop the front end problem. Someone else suggested grinding off the plate that's welded to the arm that's causing the problem but that's a last resort for me.

Is your car lowered? I heard the pre-1990 foxes don't have as much fender clearance as the early-1990 models so not sure if you need 17x8 up front or 235 tires, etc.

Maybe someone with a similar year/rim size can pipe in here.

I ordered a set of rack limiters from Fast Ed at Fines Ford .

This info came from "Hawk":
"To fix the rubbing up front you need to install some Rack Limiter's. These install on the rack shaft itself. All you have to do is loosen the clamp that holds the black accordian boot that keeps dirt out of the rack, pull it clear of the rack housing, turn the wheel opposite of the side you are working on to expose the actual rack and then snap these in place (You'll probably see a couple on there already from the factory). Add a couple and test your steering until the wheel no longer rubs. Repeat for the other side.

You can get these from any Ford dealer under part# N804842S.

 

Thanks for the reply.
No, my car isn't lowered. I have gone to 3 shops and no one said it would be a problem, but I have heard of some people experiencing probs.

 

the 17's on a lowered vert looks amazing.