Tanya Brennan

Hi All,

Hope everyone is well. So I just put some winter studded tires on my 2006 HHR. This is the first year that I have had winter tires on the HHR, typically run all seasons. I believe I'm having an issue with the rear tires rubbing the wheels wells or inner fenders, whatever you want to call that area, lol. When I turn to back up there is this sound that I hear from the back of the car. I believe it's because the tires are rubbing in the back. I have attached a picture so that you could kind of see that there really isn't much space between the tire and the wheel well. Does anyone have any advice on how I can fix this? Don't really have an option to get different tires at the moment as I just got these ones. They are the same size as my all seasons, just may be a little bulkier because they are winter tires and they are studded.

Thanks All:)

firemangeorge

What size are those ? Kind of hard to comment without that info.

whopper

There isn't that much of a clearance back there for sure, but I've run cable chains on stock size winter tires without any problem. What is the size of the winter tires you currently are using?

Tanya Brennan

I believe the size should be 215/55r16 Gen Altimax Artic. Got these tires in the salvage yard off of another HHR.

lasater

Do a search on a post I did in July of 2010. In it I detailed how to fix this problem. It's a fair amount of work but it gives you the room for larger tires. There is nothing inside those square bumps your tires are hitting. Here are the photos.

Tanya Brennan

Thanks Lasater. I'll get the hubby to check it out:)

Oldblue

Have the hubby also look around the wheel well for other rub marks, both on the tire and the plastic liner! Also the shock bolts , gonna have to jack it up and remove the wheel! Place a stand under the frame for safety please!!