Mesh Wheel Rub

[midman]

Hi Guys,
I hope someone can help me here.
I finally got my 88 running, cleaned up and on the road, took it down to get inspected and they failed it for "tire rubbing" on the passenger side when turning right. I took it home and pulled the wheel and found that it was not the tire but the Mclaren mesh wheel rubbing on the lower A arm when turning hard right. There is a metal rub pad welded on the arm but it is still chewing up the wheel.
Is there an adjustable steeringstop or something that I can do to fix this. Obviously it has not been an issue tha last 20 years on this car and they are the original wheels (I think).
Thanks for any help
Chuck

[RARE-ASC]

Not sure is there a chance it could have a bent tie rod? To make the wheel travel in to far.

[negusm]

These wheels on this car, right?

http://www.ascmclaren.org/phpBB/album_p ... pic_id=984

Boy, I have never heard them rubbing. They are too narrow to rub. I'm thinking you need somebody to take a look at it.

Have any other suspension parts been replaced?

-Mike

[asc709]

Was the car in an accident? Maybe the K-member is off whack and causing the A-arm to be a bit off center?

Either way, a quick way to remedy the situation is with steering rack limiters. They are plastic C-clips that go on the inner tie rod (under the boot) that stop the wheels from turning so far. I needed to install some on mine after I put the 9" wide Cobra R's.

[tfs2121]

sounds like you have some thing bent under there

have any parts been replaced on the suspention? did you replace your steering knuckle?

[plumkrazy]

Ok, take a step back and slow down. Ford put plastic C-clips on the rack and pinions in 1985 and up on the GT's/ Cars with 225-60-15 tires because of that problem. I bought some from Ford last year they are a couple of bucks.

Slid under car and find the bellows that cover the inner tie rods and remove clamps. Slid boot towards the outer tie rod and install plastic C-clips over the shiney bar. thats it and reinstall clamps. You dont need to get a alignment or even remove the tires.

I will try and find the part number again.

And if this is not it just add a couple till it dosnt hit then uninstall later

[85GPIV]

Mark hit this one on the head. They make simple little clips you put on the inner tie rod ends to limit the travel of the raack and pinion. I had to do this on my 79 RS because the Cobra R rims have about 6" of backspacing. I also have a bag of these clips somewhere in my garage. I will look for mine too, so either Mark or I should have it for you soon...

[negusm]

I thought the C clips didn't come out until later and it was meant for the larger wheels. The small asc ones shouldn't rub even without the clips?

The C clips might "fix" the rubbing but I would not be 100% sure if that is the real cause.

LTDScott who sells suspension components wrote over at FEP:

The 91+ (I think) racks also had rack limiter clips installed to keep the bigger 16" tires on those cars from rubbing the suspension. They are approximately 2.25 turns LTL, but the ratio is the SAME! The rack limiter clips just take about 1/4 turn off for tire clearance.

Your mileage may vary I guess.

-Mike

[plumkrazy]

I found a 1988 Ford Motorsport Catalog and the part # was M 3500 A said it was used on All Mustangs/capris that came from the factory with 225-60-15

Still looking for current number

[asc709]

I still have a few clips (Ford sold them in sets of 4) and some that I removed from a previous rack. I'll look for them to see if the part number is printed on the bag.

[midman]

I got into the steering rack as was suggested, and what did I find on the opposite side of the rubbing tire-----a plastic C clip, but none was to be found on the other side. Hopefully I'll find a couple tomorrow and be back in business.
Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!