Hey everybody, first time poster here.

I have a 2005 zr2 blazer that I just put new wheels on, I went from stock rims and 265/75r15 mall crawler tires to 15x8 pro comp rock crawler 51 rims with a 4.5 backspacing and 31x10.5 r15 a/t tires (yokohama geolander g015's) now I am having some rubbing issues.

Took off the flarettes and front valance and it helped the rubbing a bit but still having a bit of rubbing on the rear part of the front fender flares. Mainly when turning while reversing, also rubbing a bit on inner wheel well covers when wheels spinning while turning/reversing. Considering cutting my fender flares with a grinder and hammering the wheel well covers but weighing out my options.

Anyone have a similar experience with similar wheels?
Anyone have experience cutting flares? what did you use how did it go etc?
Do i have any other options that aren't too priey to get a little more clearance on my zr2? thanks!

 

Body lift. Couple hundred, but you'll be good. But other wise, your looking at cutting/hammering.

 

Not nearly enough backspacing on the wheels. I had the same problem about 15 years ago and did the trimming. This was before I knew the importance of have 6" of backspacing. Ended up selling the wheels and buying the correct wheels.

 

Did the trimming fix the problem? or did u get the proper wheels cause u were still having issues? Thanks for your input and thanks to the other commenter as well. Id rather not body lift.

 

It didn't "solve" the problem per say. If the suspension was never flexed, all was good. If I went over more than a mild speed bump or I turned the steering wheel to the lock the tires rubbed. I was running m/t's at time when I ripped off one of the flarelettes backing up in a level parking lot. That is when I knew to get rid of the rims, not the tires.

You can cut and pound away so they will clear. Won't look too pretty when you are done but you won't be rubbing.

 

Backspacing is not only an issue for clearance. It is also an issue for proper geometry of the pivot point for the tire on the ground when the steering wheel is turned.

Check out this calculator and look at if the "scrub radius" has been changed by the installation of your new wheels and tires.

https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/

 

I thought my new tires were rubbing on wheel wells for a while but turns out they were rubbing on the sway bar.