New rear struts? Or tires too wide. Rubbing issues

**Yarbeau** · 05-20-2013

I have an 02 anniversary coupe gtp. Stock suspension. Picked up a set of rims and tires on kijiji 17" 245/50r17. Had no issues with rubbing until Thursday.

My 300 pound friend got in the back seat and we headed off. A slight bump caused the rear passenger fender to rub on the tire. I pulled over and the fender was pretty well on the tire.

Turned home and got his ass out of my car. I can't tell if the car has always been this low or not but I believe my rear strut to be gone?

Any opinions? I have no problem replacing parts just want to know if it's an issue with the rims and tire setup or if his body was enough to kill the 177000km strut.

What rear end parts so you recommend? I'm not set on these rims. I'd like to get a set of torque stars and powder them black. Would that solve my issue.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 05-20-2013

The offset of the rims is more than likely the cause for the rubbing. Roll your fenders and it should stop.

But I would also say that your springs are sagging and allowing for more travel than normal and making the car sit lower with weight in the back seat.

**Yarbeau** · 05-20-2013

I figured as much. Ill toss the factory rims back on and see if that was the issue.

What are the best rear struts to put into these w body's?

**addzradd** · 05-20-2013

kyb agx's are the best, but for a price, GR-2's are the best stock type replacement.

**Yarbeau** · 05-20-2013

Originally Posted by addzradd

kyb agx's are the best, but for a price, GR-2's are the best stock type replacement.

Are the kyb agx that much greater? I don't plan on ever adjusting anything. Might just go with the grs

**00grandprixgtp** · 05-20-2013

is the strut towers rusted i had the same problem one day car was fine next it was rubbing looked and the strut tower finaly let go had to welded em back up all good now

**Yarbeau** · 05-20-2013

Originally Posted by 00grandprixgtp

is the strut towers rusted i had the same problem one day car was fine next it was rubbing looked and the strut tower finaly let go had to welded em back up all good now

No rust at all on the towers. That was my first guess. Peeled the carpet out of the trunk and nothing!

**matt5112** · 05-20-2013

Originally Posted by addzradd

kyb agx's are the best, but for a price, GR-2's are the best stock type replacement.

Bilstein are the best. AGX I'm not sure I'd suggest ever. I'd suggest GR-2's first. Just due to the odd rapid wear issues some people run into with them.

Get GR-2 unless you plan on lowering.

**Yarbeau** · 05-20-2013

Originally Posted by matt5112

Bilstein are the best. AGX I'm not sure I'd suggest ever. I'd suggest GR-2's first. Just due to the odd rapid wear issues some people run into with them.

Get GR-2 unless you plan on lowering.

Gr2s it is. I'm also contemplating front and rear sway bars. I've read reviews of them making a huge difference stabilizing the car. Good mod while I'm here?

**matt5112** · 05-20-2013

Yes sir.

Best value is the GMPP kit from GMpartsdirect.

**Yarbeau** · 05-21-2013

So I don't understand how some people ride an 18"-20" rim and don't have rubbing issues. What am I missing here?

**REDCRAPGP** · 05-21-2013

Offset of the rims plays a huge part

Also I would check your suspension and replace any worn components.

Did u find out what offset your running?

**Yarbeau** · 05-21-2013

Originally Posted by REDCOMPG

Offset of the rims plays a huge part

Also I would check your suspension and replace any worn components.

Did u find out what offset your running?

Honesty a newb to the whole suspension scene. How does one calculate the offset? I saw these rims for sale for a good price and they were my bolt pattern so I picked them up.

**REDCRAPGP** · 05-21-2013

Quick link

https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html#backspace

You could always take a good picture of your rims as well as the car and post it here and we can try to find out the offset that way to by looking up the rim through the manuf.

**Yarbeau** · 05-21-2013

Originally Posted by REDCOMPG

Quick link

https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html#backspace

You could always take a good picture of your rims as well as the car and post it here and we can try to find out the offset that way to by looking up the rim through the manuf.

There's a link in my sig for pics of the car with rims. If you wouldn't mind

Ill take a better look and measure mine out when I'm home.
Honestly not set on the rim. I just want some factory 16" torque stars powder costed and let this issue disappear.

**REDCRAPGP** · 05-21-2013

Ill check it out more when I get access to my computer. Just looking quickly they look like eagle 077. Most manuf stamp their company name in the inside of the rim..you could always pop one of the rims off and check for any indication of the manuf

**REDCRAPGP** · 05-21-2013

Also with that kind of miles it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace your struts (kyb gr2) and take a look at the condition of your springs as well. Could also roll the fenders a bit also.

**barnettimpala** · 05-21-2013

Replacing struts with that many miles wouldnt be a bad thing but not sure why nobody has said this yet: Your car sitting lower has nothing to do with the strut wearing out. All the strut does is dampen the ride. The spring is what determines ride height

**Yarbeau** · 05-21-2013

So I took the rims off. Went back to the factory anniversaries and I don't have an issue with weight in the back seat. No rubbing.

Springs look fine. Struts seem fine to me but I don't know what I'm looking for?

Looks like offset was the issue. I'm going to pick up a set of torque stars and powder them black this week. Maybe leave the lip silver for a bit of a break in color.