Thread: Tire & wheel clearances

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I had the opportunity to try some 7x14 GM rally wheels, with G60 R14 tires, on my Malibu (F60 r14 for the front, but on 7" wide rims).

The clearance on the rear, between the tire and frame was approx 3/8". The front fit was so tight that the inner wheel weight, (hammer on type) actually brushed some grease off the tie rod end boot. I could just slip a piece of cardboard between the wheel and the tie rod end. Naturally I figure the tolerences are too tight, to allow for any bushing movement, or tire/wheel flex. Too bad really as they were nice looking on the car, and the price was good.

So how much clearance should one safely allow?

Anybody know what the maximum wheel width on the 78-70 Malibu is? I could have sworn I have seen other Malibu's with the corvette style rally wheels on. How did they make them fit? Can you put a spacer behind the wheel to get more clearance?

Wheel offset is the key, and I don't know what it's supposed to be on the Malibu. But then, a 78-70 Malibu is an interesting concept. I'm guessing that's 68-70...

A friend's Dad had the 7x14 Rally wheels on his '70 years ago. You can run fairly close, as long as it doesn't actually hit, but I'd check a wheel maker's website or drop by your local tire store. America's Tire Store here in Chico has been really good, and they and they're sister company, Discount Tire Store, are all over. Year One might have some information.

The big thing about offset is the stresses/loads on the spindles. They're designed for so much weight, and if you shift things around as far as where the wheel sits, you change the stresses on the spindles.

I'm pretty sure the seven inch wheels will fit if you get the right offset.

oops - just saw the car. Must have been 78-80. You may have had wheels from an older car. Still the offset issue.

I guess I should proof read my posts better! Yeah, I did mean 78-80 Malibu.

Thanks for the reply Snakeherder. Wish I had one of the Shelbys, one of my all time favorites, along with the AC.

The rallys I tried on were in fact off a 71-72 Malibu. I see there are some rally type wheels that came stock on certain models of Malibu, as there is a picture of one with them on, on the cover of my Clymer manual. I also saw a Malibu wagon with a set on. I will have to do some more investigating. I was hoping that maybe someone who had done one up with rallys may respond with the correct info....

Still trying to get info on what width rims will work on my car, any ideas?

How about 15" but with lower profile tires??

Someone out there must have put fattys on a Malibu?

Originally posted by Chev malibu
I had the opportunity to try some 7x14 GM rally wheels, with G60 R14 tires, on my Malibu (F60 r14 for the front, but on 7" wide rims).

The clearance on the rear, between the tire and frame was approx 3/8". The front fit was so tight that the inner wheel weight, (hammer on type) actually brushed some grease off the tie rod end boot. I could just slip a piece of cardboard between the wheel and the tie rod end. Naturally I figure the tolerences are too tight, to allow for any bushing movement, or tire/wheel flex. Too bad really as they were nice looking on the car, and the price was good.

So how much clearance should one safely allow?

Anybody know what the maximum wheel width on the 78-70 Malibu is? I could have sworn I have seen other Malibu's with the corvette style rally wheels on. How did they make them fit? Can you put a spacer behind the wheel to get more clearance?

if my wheel bearing was adj. properly and i could get anything between them and the tir-rod ends then id put them on.