clearance issues

[50foxbody]

whats the widest wheel and tire that can go on the fron of a 86 fox with stock suspension im having an issue with my 18" cobra r's 255 35 18 im guessing they are a little too wide cuz they are rubbing my front shocks back is clear of everything thanks for any1 help

 

[Mustang5L5]

What spindles and a-arms are you using?

 

[50foxbody]

as far as i know they are stock and look original

 

[Mustang5L5]

4-lug 18" R's??

 

[50foxbody]

yea sorry i should have put that but they are 18 knock off cobra r's

 

[JustaMustangguy]

I need all the specs on the rims and tires to help you. I need the exact size and offset/back spacing. Also would help if you new if you had the stock suspsension or not. Is the car 4 or 5 lug?

 

[NIKwoaC]

I have rubbing problems with my 245/45-17, but my car is lowered with 94-95 spindles. Also, mine rub at full turning lock on the wheel well liner, not the strut. If you are rubbing on the strut then you probably need a wheel with less backspacing or a wheel spacer.

 

[50foxbody]

I have rubbing problems with my 245/45-17, but my car is lowered with 94-95 spindles. Also, mine rub at full turning lock on the wheel well liner, not the strut. If you are rubbing on the strut then you probably need a wheel with less backspacing or a wheel spacer.

yea thats what i was affraid of guess im SOL

 

[25thmustang]

I believe the 86 cars had the narrower front track, similar to the 4cyl later cars?

Maybe an 87+ 5.0 spindle set up would help. An 18x9 should not hit the strut.

 

[50foxbody]

wish i would of known they were on a 90 so thats probably it know any1 on some spindles?

 

[NIKwoaC]

You'll have to replace more than just the spindles. The brake caliper, rotor and strut are all '86 specific. Maximum Motorsports sells some quality wheel spacers, you should look into that option if you don't want to spend a lot of money.

 

[stykthyn]

if you get wheel spacers go with longer hardened studs and have them pressed in.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I believe the 86 cars had the narrower front track, similar to the 4cyl later cars?

Maybe an 87+ 5.0 spindle set up would help. An 18x9 should not hit the strut.

BINGO!

Interchange with 86 Mustang spindles is as follows:

:Capri '82-86
:Cougar '81 XR-7, from VIN 612449
:Cougar '81 exc. XR-7; green stripe
:Cougar '82-88
:Fairmont '81-83
:Granada '81 green stripe
:Granada '82
:LTD '83-86
:Marquis '83-86
:Mustang '82-83
:Mustang '84-86 4 lug whl
:Mustang '87-93 4 cyl
:Thunderbird '81 from 12/5/80
:Thunderbird '82-86
:Thunderbird '87-88 6 cyl and 8 cyl
:Zephyr '81-83

then 87 Mustang V8 interchanges only with:

:Mustang '87-93 8 cyl
:Thunderbird '87-88 4 cyl (Turbo Coupe)

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I believe the 86 cars had the narrower front track, similar to the 4cyl later cars?

Maybe an 87+ 5.0 spindle set up would help. An 18x9 should not hit the strut.

I'm pretty sure you're right...but they also have the smaller wheel openings (as in pre-Pony rim size) so a wider track might get him into the fender if the difference is too much.

 

[25thmustang]

I'm pretty sure you're right...but they also have the smaller wheel openings (as in pre-Pony rim size) so a wider track might get him into the fender if the difference is too much.

I was under the impression the fenders were the same, it was the lower apron that changed?

I believe even with the aprons, the 87-90 cars would have the same size wheel opening. You do have some issues (different for all cars) in the apron area with wider tires though.

I think doing an 87-93 spindle swap wouldn't be hard or expensive.

 

[50foxbody]

im picking up wheel spacers from my buddy this weekend just to see if it helps if so than im gonna buy them thanks guys

 

[50foxbody]

got 1/4 inch spacers they worked perferct thanks for every1s help

 

[Mustang5L5]

slip on spacers?? Upgrade your studs at a minimum. Slip ons are the most unsafe design

 

[50foxbody]

guess i just cant win

 

[Repostyle]

guess i just cant win

Just don't race it or drive it hard in the corners. You should be fine driving normally until you can upgrade your studs. Just make sure your lug nuts are as tight as you can get them, any movement at all will degrade their integrity very quickly.