1972 trailing arm alignment?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 8
From: South of Chicago Illinois
1972 trailing arm alignment?
Sorting out a 72 I just bought, its a small block car with automatic and AC. The previous owners put 15x7 keystone klassic wheels on the car, they are 3 and 3/4 back space, this necessitated 1/4 in spacers to clear the brake calipers, but they also found that the drivers side emergency brake cable and mount hit the tire. So they cut it off! I have since welded on a new one and tied back the cable so it clears. For the near term I will add more spacer. Will be 1/2 inch spacer which would equal the correct backspacing of the stock wheel, at least I'll be able to safely drive the car a little.
Now to the real question. The passenger side is fine, has clearance with the 1/4 inch spacer. Drivers side is tight. Is there some type of trailing arm adjustment? Maybe the rearend is off center? The car seems to track straight, and "looks" centered under the car. Hopefully the correct 4 and 1/4 back space wheel will clear with no issue. That's my concern. Also the car has the larger fiberglass TRW spring and cover which makes me think the rear has been messed with. Poor car has had a tough life. Thanks any thoughts?
Now to the real question. The passenger side is fine, has clearance with the 1/4 inch spacer. Drivers side is tight. Is there some type of trailing arm adjustment? Maybe the rearend is off center? The car seems to track straight, and "looks" centered under the car. Hopefully the correct 4 and 1/4 back space wheel will clear with no issue. That's my concern. Also the car has the larger fiberglass TRW spring and cover which makes me think the rear has been messed with. Poor car has had a tough life. Thanks any thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 783
Likes: 415
From: Western NY
by saying "the correct 4 and 1/4 back space wheel" do you mean you are putting on factory ralleye wheels? if so they are 4" backspace and they should clear everything with no issue. also if you are putting a wider wheel/tire combo on you can weld the emergency cable bracket on the top of the trailing arm for more clearance.
Pat
Pat
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
Trailing arms can be bent from impacts. They are not super strong. Wheel spacers have been around for decades, Crager SS wheels required them back in the day. The problem with spacers is they loosen up the lug nuts over time, so you don't want your wheels passing by.
It is a very common mod to weld the cable bracket to the top of the arm.
It is a very common mod to weld the cable bracket to the top of the arm.
