Well, I anxiously attempted to put a set of rewinds (15 x 7, 20mm offset) with 205/50/15 tires on my 79 GS. Needless to say, they rub the front spring bad - almost to the point that the one coil was resting on the edge of the tire. I am first wondering what could be causing this. I assume a worn out spring or blown shock (although the car does not appear to be sagging). Seeing as how I have to do something, I need feedback on whether to go with a spacer, new shock/spring, or an aftermarket coilover setup.

It just sucks to be stopped in my tracks by fitment issues after seeing so many other 7's running these with no problems. Let me know what you guys would do.

Thanks,
Rick

 

I have seen this issue before on SA's. A couple freinds have SA models, and when they use the stock FB + wheels, with a 205/60-13, the tire rubs the spring. This only seems to occur on the left front, though.
I can fit the exact same tire/wheel combo on my (very) low FB, and have no clearance issues.
I'm guessing the strut housing (which is different for the SA) has a lower hieght at the spring perch.
You can try getting some spacers, but watch out for fender lip rub.

 

swap out the front strut assemblely w/ a later model 7... (ie 81-85)

 

Bringing this one back from the dead, its the closest to my problem I have a newly aquired SE with need of lots of love I was trying to fit a set of American Racing wheels that I have from my first GSL-SE they used to fit no problems be it with a slightly smaller set of tires at the time the current tires on it are 205/55-16 I have no issues anywhere but in the front left right up against the spring and strud housing. I do have paperwork for the car dating back quite a while and it had some body work done on that left side at a profesional body shop the body looks nice and straight, so far I have replaced the Struds and Strud Mounts the tube looks straight and everything is in good shape the Ball Joints will be next and all stearing components but since the struds and mounts were in such bad shape I decided to not wait for the Ball joints and joust do the double work the tires were joust installed on the rims so they have proper air presure and I have checked the wheel bearings to make sure they were tight so my big question is this.

1. is there any meassurements that might let me know if the left strud housing was replaced with an earlier SA unit pre 81 wich sounds like could be the reason for the rubing.

2. is there something else I might not be considering that could cause it to sag and contact the spring and Housing? (its rubbing on the outher edge of the support to the spring and the spring both not joust the spring).

 

Well, this in not really an answer to your questions, but I resolved my problem by going with a coil-over spring setup from re-speed. They are narrow and allow for an adjustable ride height.

Good luck

 

1. if you have the 4x114 wheels, then it can't be anything other than an 84-85 strut. however it could be bent. i think an alignment race can spot it, the steering axis inclination and camber will be off if its bent.

2. if there is a loose/bad wheel bearing, the top of the tire will be closer to the spring than it should be.

 

thank's for the info, I had not thought about the possibility of it joust being bent I will have to look into it if thats the case maybe even consider the coil overs if finding a replacement becomes a problem.

 

i have a set of 83 spindles i could sell, I can even sell them with the rotors if need be. pm me.