Clearence problems.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

allthrtl · 01-29-2004, 09:01 PM

Ok, got the -2.5" spindles and the -2" srpings on the front, as well as a flip kit in the rear. I was running 255/60/15's on the front and 275/60/15's on the rear all on 8" wheels with about 3.5-4" back space......Problem is the lip on the front fender contacts the tire when going over a decent size bump. Since the tires are only about a month old, I went back to the tire store hoping to make some sort of trade for narrow front tire, happily they were more than happy to take those back and try a different size...Well, we ended up with 235/70/15's on the front after also trying 255/70/15's. I haven't hit any bumps yet, but I can tell that they will still contact, although I do have a little more room than before....... Has anyone ever tried cutting the fender lip back about .5" or bending it upward to increase clearence? I realize the fender relies on the lip for stability, but if someone else has done it successfully, I don't mind giving it a try...........

Any advice??

dacanuck · 01-29-2004, 09:13 PM

I haven't tried it, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to bend it, and cutting probably would be fine too. The fender IS held on at the bottom corners by a few bolts, not to mention the inner fender with it's ump-teen bolts to the fender. Or you could always cut off the lip and weld a thin plate of sheetmetal to the back of the fender if you're worried about strength. I read in Hot Rod years ago you can place a baseball bat against the tire while someone drives the car, and the bat will push your fender out to clear your tire!!!

*1FaastC10* · 01-29-2004, 10:02 PM

if im not mistaken, its a pretty common practice to roll the fender lips.

allthrtl · 01-30-2004, 12:15 AM

Cool, I knew I could (edit: couldn't)be the first person with this problem.... I'll get some before and after pics on here soon....Truck is starting to look alot better.....if ya squint you don't notice the faded blue paintjob.......

brad2 · 01-30-2004, 01:45 AM

I have had the same problem before and bought new tires just as you have. Have also rolled a fender lip with out any problems. Just go slow and work your way back and forth till you get it where you want it.

ocbaud · 01-30-2004, 01:54 AM

i run 275/60/15's all around.
i have 2.5" spindles and 1.5" coils.

the first few weeks after the drop, the tires would rub like that. i have little chunks that where tore off of the tire, from hitting the fender. what i did was roll the fender lip in so that it doesnt hit it

01-29-2004, 09:01 PM	#1
allthrtl Available for Adoption Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 177	Clearence problems.... Ok, got the -2.5" spindles and the -2" srpings on the front, as well as a flip kit in the rear. I was running 255/60/15's on the front and 275/60/15's on the rear all on 8" wheels with about 3.5-4" back space......Problem is the lip on the front fender contacts the tire when going over a decent size bump. Since the tires are only about a month old, I went back to the tire store hoping to make some sort of trade for narrow front tire, happily they were more than happy to take those back and try a different size...Well, we ended up with 235/70/15's on the front after also trying 255/70/15's. I haven't hit any bumps yet, but I can tell that they will still contact, although I do have a little more room than before....... Has anyone ever tried cutting the fender lip back about .5" or bending it upward to increase clearence? I realize the fender relies on the lip for stability, but if someone else has done it successfully, I don't mind giving it a try........... Any advice?? __________________ 1983 C10 SWB 2001 Silverado SWB 1995 Corvette

01-29-2004, 09:13 PM	#2
dacanuck Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 85	I haven't tried it, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to bend it, and cutting probably would be fine too. The fender IS held on at the bottom corners by a few bolts, not to mention the inner fender with it's ump-teen bolts to the fender. Or you could always cut off the lip and weld a thin plate of sheetmetal to the back of the fender if you're worried about strength. I read in Hot Rod years ago you can place a baseball bat against the tire while someone drives the car, and the bat will push your fender out to clear your tire!!! __________________ 86 GMC C15 swb. 350/TH350, fully loaded, but wish I had overdrive!

01-30-2004, 12:15 AM	#4
allthrtl Available for Adoption Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 177	Cool, I knew I could (edit: couldn't)be the first person with this problem.... I'll get some before and after pics on here soon....Truck is starting to look alot better.....if ya squint you don't notice the faded blue paintjob....... __________________ 1983 C10 SWB 2001 Silverado SWB 1995 Corvette Last edited by allthrtl; 01-30-2004 at 04:26 AM.

01-30-2004, 01:45 AM	#5
brad2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: edmond, ok Posts: 1,058	I have had the same problem before and bought new tires just as you have. Have also rolled a fender lip with out any problems. Just go slow and work your way back and forth till you get it where you want it. __________________ 74 swb 71 2wd Jimmy 82 2wd Blazer

01-29-2004, 10:02 PM	#3
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	if im not mistaken, its a pretty common practice to roll the fender lips.

01-30-2004, 01:54 AM	#6
ocbaud Garage Queen Material Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,129	i run 275/60/15's all around. i have 2.5" spindles and 1.5" coils. the first few weeks after the drop, the tires would rub like that. i have little chunks that where tore off of the tire, from hitting the fender. what i did was roll the fender lip in so that it doesnt hit it



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