monmon47

Hi all. I'm driving a 2008 base model. I bought a set of Ford Performance Wheels 18"x9.5" GT500 with sumitomo htr z II tires on them from his 2007 gt500. I'm using them as my summer tires and they're great. When I crank the steering wheel all the way the tires are rubbing inside the wheel well. I was wondering if spacers alone would help or If I need something else? The original tires are 215's and the summer ones are 255's. Thanks

laserred38

American Muscle sells the Roush steering stops for like $10. That should get rid of the rub. How low is your car though? Those shouldn't be rubbing, unless the tires are taller than the normal size?

houtex

I'm running those wheels (the 2010 'vert versions) on my 2006 GT, lowered one inch, no spacers, standard offset, and *absolutely* no rubbing whatsoever. Now, mine's the GT, and came with 17s, but I want to say the steering rack travel end to end is the same on the 16s and 17s. It's when you get 18s and 19s that they put different stops in the rack to prevent the rubbing (and increase your turning radius, but we'll not talk about that now.)

Even still, what I suspect is that the inner fender shields have come down. Pull the front wheels and ensure *ALL* the pushpins that hold the two shields in each fender in are in place. I had some body work done, and they didn't put all those back in. I had rubbing then, I replaced the pins, all rubbing went away.

Hope that helps, good luck!

monmon47

Thanks. Maybe because they stock wheels are 16 inch and the other ones are 18 inch. I'll check the fender shields.

Bert

Some cars do need a different steering stop when you go from the stock wheels to bigger/wider wheels and tires. Could be your car is one of those.

I'd check the fender liners first then look into the steering stop. I remember seeing reference to it in some wheel listings but don't remember exactly where that was right now.