This is topic Is it time for new shocks/struts? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .
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Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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Here's my question...I have a 93 GT with cobra rims...the rear tires are 275/45/17 nitto drag radials.
When I have people in the backseat, you can hear and feel the tires making contact with the wheelwells. Like the car is bottoming out onto the tires.
What is the problem? My car is not lowered and I think it might be time to replace my shocks/struts/springs, etc?
Posted by Curt (Member # 6254) on
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your wheels/tires are too big
Posted by cummins (Member # 5931) on
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How many miles on your car? I don't know if the tires are too big, they could be, I just don't know anything about that combo with your car. But why not just put a few peeps in the back of your car and look at how it sits? If its squatting too much then your suspension need to be replaced. Just a simple visual will give you an idea if its tires, suspension or both.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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Car shows the mileage at 17,500 with the odometer rolled once (so 117,500).
I have no rubbing issues with no one in the back seat as far as the rears and I'm pretty sure there are others running this tire size in the rear.
With someone in the backseat, the car rides real low and you can feel the tire making contact with the wheelwells.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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wheels are 17x9 by the way
Posted by EASTBAY5_0 (Member # 3292) on
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have the rear shocks ever been replaced? it might be time for some new ones.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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I really doubt they have...I'm looking into some KYBs...are these worth it?
Also if I get new shocks...I'm leaning towards doing the struts also...if I do the struts I might as well lower the car.
Damn this one problem is gonna lead to lots of mods!
Posted by SF Coupe (Member # 1810) on
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Stay away from KYBs, they suck. I know from personal experience.
Posted by cummins (Member # 5931) on
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Sounds like you need to shocks/struts. Those old ones sound like they are worn out. KYB's aren't too bad the agx's aren't bad they offer adjustability and the price is decent.
Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on
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your tires are too big, you need to roll your rear fenders to make it so the tires do nut rub when the suspension compresses.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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I'm getting different answers on if my tires are too big or its time to change the suspension.
Can anyone settle this? I could have sworn there were Fox people running 275s in the rear w/o rolling the fenders.
Someone set me straight ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Rob
Posted by SmokinLX (Member # 1684) on
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quote:
Originally posted by 93StockRedGT:
I'm getting different answers on if my tires are too big or its time to change the suspension.
Can anyone settle this? I could have sworn there were Fox people running 275s in the rear w/o rolling the fenders.
Someone set me straight
Rob
It depend's on Your rim size and backspacing. I am running a 15X10 inch rim with 6.5 inch backspacing with a M/T 275 60 15's "which is a 26 inch tall tire" and the only thing I had to do was get rid of My tail pipes. Now with a 8X15 inch rim You are going to need a 5.5 inch backspacing. Also if You went with a 275 50 16 "which is the 28 inch tall tire" You are going to have problem's. Also I think it could be a ittle different from car to car?
Posted by 91Trunkster (Member # 6598) on
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With a 275 tire in the back you need to run a 40 series tire not a 45.
An easy way to test your shocks is to push the back of the trunk/hatch up and down a few times, once you let go the movemnet should stop right away, if it doesn't that will indicate that your shocks are bad.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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What is the effect that the 45 series would have as opposed to the 40 series?
Posted by bottled02GT?? (Member # 1772) on
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40 series as compared to 45 will be a slightly lower side wall/height of tire...
ie: 295/35/18 (my set up..... the 35 means the sidewall/tire height from rim up is 35% of the width of my tire. In english cuz this confused me, or how i was expained it, if ur tire is 10" wide, and u have a.. 40 series tire ur tire would have a 4" side wall, 35 would be a 3 1/2" side wall,
this is how i was explained, if im wrong my apologies.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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Hey I checked my rear tires and they are 275/40R17. So it appears I'm running the right size tire.
So what gives?
Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on
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does the outside edge of your tire have chunks of rubber missing?
Is the inside lip at the top of your rear fenders bent a bit from the tires hitting it?
with 275's you need to roll your fender lips or they will hit at full suspension compression.
the rear spring rate on a stock 5.0 is very low, and the car will ride low and bottom out with 2 people in the backseat, brand new shocks or not.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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Would a new set of springs (i.e. Eibach) fix this problem?
Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on
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quote:
Originally posted by 93StockRedGT:
Would a new set of springs (i.e. Eibach) fix this problem?
eibach's are lower than stock and not a very high spring rate either, they would just make the problem worse.
my solution would be to take the back seat and seatbelts out and tell your friends to walk.
Posted by 93StockRedGT (Member # 6211) on
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Thats a cute little answer ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Would changing to a 255/40 or 245/40 fix the problem so I can lower the car and not have this problem?
Rob
Posted by Luke87GT (Member # 21) on
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Rob, for fucks sake, we are giving you ideas but only YOU can tell us what is wrong. Get under the car, weigh it down with a couple of friends, have a couple more push down on the hatch, inspect the tires, go around the inside edge of the tire with your hand and see where your wheels come close to contacting other parts of your suspension/body, etc.
Posted by exchp6400 (Member # 4803) on
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quote:
Originally posted by Blind:
does the outside edge of your tire have chunks of rubber missing?
Is the inside lip at the top of your rear fenders bent a bit from the tires hitting it?
with 275's you need to roll your fender lips or they will hit at full suspension compression.
the rear spring rate on a stock 5.0 is very low, and the car will ride low and bottom out with 2 people in the backseat, brand new shocks or not.
Sorry for disrupting this post but,when i bought my rims and tires from a friend i noticed that the outside the edge of my back tire and front on drivers side had chunks missing and peeling. what does this mean?
[ September 05, 2006, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: exchp6400 ]
Posted by bottled02GT?? (Member # 1772) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by exchp6400:
quote:
Originally posted by Blind:
does the outside edge of your tire have chunks of rubber missing?
Is the inside lip at the top of your rear fenders bent a bit from the tires hitting it?
with 275's you need to roll your fender lips or they will hit at full suspension compression.
the rear spring rate on a stock 5.0 is very low, and the car will ride low and bottom out with 2 people in the backseat, brand new shocks or not.
Sorry for disrupting this post but,when i bought my rims and tires from a friend i noticed that the outside the edge of my back tire and front on drivers side had chunks missing and peeling. what does this mean?
could mean those were the rears on his car and had clearence issues not rolling fenders where needed, or that you yourself have clearence issues and need to check your back spacings, or roll fenders, etc etc. Just options
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