1954 plymouth tire rubbing noise when turning

[olskulow]

I dont know if anyone has had this problem before. When I do sharp right turns, it sounds like the tires hit the fenders. Ive tried to pinpoint the problem, but the tires look ok. My car does sit a little lower on the driver side. Im thinking the springs are wearing out. I spoke to a guy with a 53 plymouth at a car show, he said he had the same problem and a friend told him it was the rear end. He said that my rear end need some new bushings. Any one ever have this same problems. Any help would be apprieciated.

[53_Suburban]

I never had a rubbing problem in front with my '53 but it sounds like maybe a front suspension problem, not the rear springs. I really need to get my rear springs rearched, they are really worn and sagging

Edited December 10, 2010 by 53_Suburban

[Plymouthy Adams]

IF....you are in a locked turn (reached the mechanical stops) then those stops may be in need of a bit of grerase to prevent the scrape noise of dry metal to dry metal..I have not heard that noise in my 54 but then again it is paked 99% of the time..where do you folks find the time to go waste gas...If I accelerated ahead two years labor in the next two weeks I would still be a year behind...

[Young Ed]

I would say you first need to verify which is rubbing. I had a rear tire rubbing in my p15 and it was because the fender was only attached by two bolts and the wrong rear tires. Most of the noise was the tire flapping. Now on my truck the LF tire was hitting the steering arm. No noise but there was a mark where all the paint wore off. I had to adjust the stop on that wheel to keep it from hitting.

[Don Coatney]

What size tires are you using?

[55 Fargo]

What size tires are you using?

Good question, Front tires that are too wide, can produce this result, rubbing when turning.

[Don Coatney]

Good question, Front tires that are too wide, can produce this result, rubbing when turning.

Also on the rear tires with body roll going around corners epically with radial tires.

[old stovebolt]

I dont know if anyone has had this problem before. When I do sharp right turns, it sounds like the tires hit the fenders. Ive tried to pinpoint the problem, but the tires look ok. My car does sit a little lower on the driver side. Im thinking the springs are wearing out. I spoke to a guy with a 53 plymouth at a car show, he said he had the same problem and a friend told him it was the rear end. He said that my rear end need some new bushings. Any one ever have this same problems. Any help would be apprieciated.

Sounds stupid, but check the tire air pressure(s). The lower the pressure, the

fatter the tire.......could be causing it to rub

[olskulow]

I might be the mechanical stops. I have checked the pressure and have looked at the inner and outer tire for scrapes. Both look fine. I am running larger tires 15 175, a 6 inch wide rim and firebird calipers in the front.

[old stovebolt]

Well, if the inner and outer sidewalls do not display evidence of scrapes,

maybe the tire face(s) is contacting something. The wheel opening lips

ok? No evidence of contact?

[Don Coatney]

I might be the mechanical stops. I have checked the pressure and have looked at the inner and outer tire for scrapes. Both look fine. I am running larger tires 15 175, a 6 inch wide rim and firebird calipers in the front.

Sounds to me like your tires (and rims) are too wide. Suggest you check your inner fenders for shinney spots. Or place a strip of masking tape on the lower ridge (most narrow spot) of the inner fenders both front and back. Take a drive and when you hear the rubbing inspect the tape.

[1941Rick]

I would say most likely the tire size is to wide...same problem with my 41....

I am running 205-75-15....

[old stovebolt]

Sounds to me like your tires (and rims) are too wide. Suggest you check your inner fenders for shinney spots. Or place a strip of masking tape on the lower ridge (most narrow spot) of the inner fenders both front and back. Take a drive and when you hear the rubbing inspect the tape.

The tape is a good idea.....

[Plymouthy Adams]

I might be the mechanical stops. I have checked the pressure and have looked at the inner and outer tire for scrapes. Both look fine. I am running larger tires 15 175, a 6 inch wide rim and firebird calipers in the front.

that info would have been nice to know up front with your original question...still look at the stops..but what is the offset of these rims compared to stock...

[olskulow]

Ill try the taping the wheels I was thinking about it last night. The original rims are 15X5. The rims will not fit over the ECI calipers, the previous owner installed.

[old stovebolt]

calipers contacting the inner rims?