Wheels hitting ball joints?
 

I just acquired an '81 El Camino :D It had some aftermarket IROC style rims on it which the previous owner removed and put on what appeared to be the factory rally wheels (14 x 6, 5 x 4.75 w/ 5" backspacing). the problem is that on the passenger side ONLY, the wheel is rubbing the steering components. this isn't happening on the driver side. I think that these wheels are likely off of a Camaro rather than an El Camino or Monte Carlo and therefore would have the wrong backspacing, however I can't figure out why they only rub on the passenger side. I compared the driver and passenger wheels, and they have the identical backspacing. I'm stumped.

A couple quick googles say 4-4.5" backspacing.

Linkage clearance often varies between sides. Wheel depth doesn't.

Does the one side only rub at full lock? You may be able to adjust the steering stops.

Check the wheel bearings. Jack it up, and give the wheels a good rock in and out/up and down/to and fro....?????


as posted above maybe the offset is wrong, but only one wheel.

Maybe swap left to right, just to see?

It may also badly need an alignment.

Also, if the hub has been replaced due to some reason, maybe the incorrect part was fitted....

B.O.L.

Wheel bearings are good, I checked both sides and the offset is the same, I'm going to try picking up a set of wheels w/ 4" backspacing and hopefully that solves the problem, I found a set of factory wheels off of a Buick that should be the same wheels, I'm gonna check them out probably monday of next week.

I was wrong, it's not the ball joints, it's the tie rod that the wheels are hitting.

Ok, then forget everything I said.... Its da wheels, laddy... (backspacing that is)

Try this simple test, swap the two front wheels, left to right. Did the contact move to the other side, or stay on the same side? If it MOVED, then that particular wheel is at fault. If not, double check the backspacing. How bad is the contact? Those vehicles had steering limiting bolts I believe, maybe the one on the affected side is out of adjustment?

ok, I took a little closer look at the car last night, and the wheels are hitting the tie rods on both sides, I think I've found some wheels that will work. Apparently 4" backspacing was what it came with from the factory. I talked to a guy at a local tire shop and he says he has some wheels that will fit it.

I bought the wheels, they are similar to the factory rally wheels, but they have been powder coated black :D They are 14", 5 lug on 4-3/4" centers, w/ 3-1/2" of backspacing. $15.00 each. The good folks at my local Les Shwab hooked me up w/ 4 new 205/75R/14 tires (the factory specified size) for a really good price. I drove her around, and brought her home tonight and no rubbing issues, the car runs and drives like a dream.