Tire clearance issues!!! Please help!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MONROE NC
Tire clearance issues!!! Please help!
I have a '69 convertible with standard 15x8 rallys. I installed longer bolts between the trailing arms and leaf spring to avoid the 4 wheel- drive look, now unless I set the camber way out the leaf spring digs into the tires. This is the case with a mono leaf spring and a new 7 leaf traditional spring that I just purchased. I know one answer is to install tires that are not as wide but that brings me to my next issue; I just purchased a new set of Coy's wheels and since they are having production problems with 18x8's, they sent me 18x9.5's for the rear. The problem now is that the leaf spring will accually rub the rim instead of the tire. Any ideas???
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
I ground about 1/2 inch off the ends of my TRW fiberglass spring. You should be able to grind off some of the ends of a steel srping. I'm not sure how much, you need to be careful that it isn't too thin.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
with both.Quick fix is to shorten the spring.
There are a few threads on here showing how members have shortened their own spring but I would rather purchase a new one and sell the old ones.
I beleive you can go 1/2 shorter or 1 full inch shorter on each side. You don't want the bolt angle too drastic so choose wisely.
If the bolt just hits the rims on the coys then go maybe a 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch shorter. Talk to Van Steel or VBP and they'll help ya out.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,672
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Mine fit no problemo 18 x 9.5 with 5 inch backspace. The spring goes inside the rim and even the long spring bolts are an inch away from the tire.
One more thing, the parking brake cable tab on the trailing arm seems to fit inside the rim too
What is the backspacing on your 19 x 9.5 rims ?
One more thing, the parking brake cable tab on the trailing arm seems to fit inside the rim too
What is the backspacing on your 19 x 9.5 rims ?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MONROE NC
Your spring in the picture has much less arch than my mono leaf or my new 7 leaf. My rims have 5" backspacing as well, if the ends of my spring were even 1" higher I think they would clear. There is about 3/4" that I can cut off each side but that isn't going to give me the clearance I need to set the camber where it should be. I know it's probably a very bad idea but my lack of patience makes me want to heat the ends of the spring and bend them ever so slightly. When you guys are saying shorten the spring I assume that you mean to drill additional holes to move the bolts further in. Correct?
Last edited by EDDIE DEXX; Aug 3, 2007 at 08:39 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Shortened Springs
Our rear fiberglass springs are made 1" shorter than stock. Typically this is enough for the basic wheel and tire upgrade. However, if you really want to go larger, we can shorten the spring an additional 1". We do not recommend you go any shorter.
We manufacture many different arch styles and spring rates for all Corvette generations. Depending on any mods you have done, the weight of your car and what you hope to accomplish, we can fit you in just the right style and rate. Please just give us a call and we can discuss your project. You can email me directly at pattie@VBandP.com or call me toll free at 1-800-237-9991.
It is best to have the spring shortened when it is made. When you shorten them later, it changes the rate and the spring looses it's integrity. Also, heating it or grinding it, will void your warranty. Our fiberglass springs come with a 5 year warranty. I agree with one of the above posts, put your springs for sale on the forum or ebay and purchase some new ones. We offer Corvette Forum members a 10% discount off of our products.
Pattie
VBP
We manufacture many different arch styles and spring rates for all Corvette generations. Depending on any mods you have done, the weight of your car and what you hope to accomplish, we can fit you in just the right style and rate. Please just give us a call and we can discuss your project. You can email me directly at pattie@VBandP.com or call me toll free at 1-800-237-9991.
It is best to have the spring shortened when it is made. When you shorten them later, it changes the rate and the spring looses it's integrity. Also, heating it or grinding it, will void your warranty. Our fiberglass springs come with a 5 year warranty. I agree with one of the above posts, put your springs for sale on the forum or ebay and purchase some new ones. We offer Corvette Forum members a 10% discount off of our products.
Pattie
VBP
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
