I have a '68 bird that I got from the prior owner with P215/70R14 tires. I have noticed that the front tires are rubbing when the car turns tight or on a slope.

Wondering if this is a common issue that I should just be careful with in such situations, or if I need to get different tires.

Thanks!

Nice looking car.

Where are they rubbing? Lots of factors that can contribute to rubbing, so knowing where the contact is can help. I think a lot of people run that size (that's what mine were before I upgraded) and even wider, so would not expect an issue, but again, depends on many factors.

One thing I would do straight away is take off a front and rear wheel and check to see if they have different widths/backspacing.

How old are the front springs, shocks, ball joints etc. Has the front end suspension ever been rebuilt or when was it done?

Good questions. I just got he car last year. I can try to ask the previous owner if the suspension was rebuilt, etc.

Where they rub is hard to put into words. Forward end of the top of the inner wheel well is the best I can describe/recall. Again, only if you turn the wheels all the way to one side, the front of the tires hits that area of the well. If I can, I will try to get a picture.

I did get a chance to see the car next to another bird, and the front end appeared slightly lower. I suspect the previous ownder may have lowered the car, or at least the front end, a little, which may be the cause of the issue.

Right off the bat I would guess front springs. Even if they were recently changed, the person could have used lowered springs, wrong spring rate etc. I would guess a new set of stock/correct springs would likely solve your problem...

I'll check the springs out....thanks for the lead...

Let's not get to hasty on blaming the springs. There's a couple other things that could be going on. That's why it would be great if you were to take a picture.

Again, definitely check to see if you have the same or different wheel widths and/or backspacing. Get under the car and look at the body mounts (hockey puck looking things between the body and subframe up front two rear two middle and two at the radiator core). See if they look worn or original.

If you do talk to the previous owner, in addition to the other questions, be sure to ask if he's replaced the body mounts. And if you have disc brakes now, ask if he upgraded the brakes from drum to disc, or were they always disc.

Get a copy of the 1968 Pontiac service manual to find all the measurements of the all Pontiac's, do you have a PHS documentation on your car? Well worth the money. You can measure the car to see if it is correct.

Steve

Sorry, late getting back from business trip...the car always had disc brakes up front, but they were recently replaced with a set from a corvette.

Will check the body mounts. In addition, the tires are getting old, so I may replace them with smaller tires.

Mine is a 68 with 235/60R15 tires on 7"RallyIIs. When I bought the car I had the same prob. I replaced the front springs [3X] and it improved but still rubbed. I then replaced the non-existant control arm bushings and have had no broblems since.

Sorry to leave all in suspense. My back gave out bigtime the weekend before last (first ambulance ride...I think they could use some springs and shocks as well, bounced around like being in a tin can), so no amatuer mechanics for me for a bit. I did have a mechanic take a look at it on Monday, and the springs were indeed shot. He has a set on order and will install next week.

Thanks to all for their insights and suggestions, and again, my apologies for not being a good host...

Hey, thought I'd bump this up as I'm having a similar issue...
My '68 400 had 215/70R14s on all around with 14x6 Rally II.
I changed out to 215/65R15 which are the same diameter, on American Racing Outlaw I wheels... unfortunately, the Outlaws only have 3.5" backspacing, where the 14x6 Rally II are 4" backspacing...

and only the right side rubbed at the very bottom of the rear of the front wheel well. left side was fine...

now about 30 or so years ago, my bird had been hit in the front, and there is a frame patch, but it was checked and deemed okay...

anyway, I have a set of 15x7 Rally IIs which look to have 4.25" backspacing. I'm gonna have one tire mounted up to see if it will be enough to clear....


Should also note that I believe the springs to be original to the car, and each front spring has a twist block spacer installed.

Car has 75k original miles on it....

The mechanic who fixed mine said that the springs usually are ready to go around 100,000 miles (my bird is well beyond that). The new springs eliminated the rubbing and bottoming out issues, as well as made the car ride better.

Just coincidentally, my car was also hit in the front decades ago...

I just changed my front springs on my bird, only has 49,xxx original miles, but the springs were original to the car (40 plus years old).... Dont have the car on the ground yet, but eager to see how high it sits now compared to before.... Great news that you got your issue resolved!!

If those are the ones that go in between the coils I would get rid of them (by replacing with new springs).

well, it was definitely a backspacing issue with the wheels...
I put the same tire on a 15x7 Rally II and there were zero issues... where it was rubbing, it would have still rubbed with new springs...

though new springs are definitely on my list...

Consumer Reports review for 1967 showed the front tires, Wide Oval 70s, rubbed on the frame when the cars were new. I'd say there was not much clearance in the design.

I am a new member. I do have a 68 red firebird 400 red convertible. My tires are 215/70/14. In the front, my tires are rubbing the chassis/ frame when turning (driver side tire rubs the chassis / turn right; passenger tire rubs when turn left). In addition, the wheels rub the sway bar. It seems like the previous owner installed "bigger" sway bar for better handling (is it correct?)

I went to replace the new coil springs and all shocks around and my tires still rub the chassis when turning. Are my tires too big?
Any answers/ suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks

tires arent too big...must be some other issue

Sounds like a wheel backset issue. You don't mention what kind of wheels you have. If original steel wheels or correct Rally's, I'd say there should be no issue whatsoever with 215's.

I was thinking the same thing. Probably aftermarket wheels where the proper backspacing was not taken into consideration.

It seems like the original stock wheels.
Thanks

My wheel code is KS. It seems like I have 14" x 7" with 4.75" back space. I believe 68 firebird wheel code is JC. Is it correct?
Thanks

Not sure if that's the correct wheel code for a '68, but with those Rally II's and tires, you should not be having a problem.

I have 15x7 Rally II's with 235/60/15's and have no issues.

Yes. I think I have 69 Rally wheels, 14 x 7 with 4.5" backspace. Based on 68 Firebird manual, I need 15 x 7 wheel (400 convertible with front disc brake). I believe The Rally wheel 14 x 6 with JC wheel code will also do the job.
Thanks