Hey guys. Lowered my car from a 4x4 height and the rear leaf springs rub on the CCWs I have. Are there shorter leaf springs available? I will eventually get coilovers but not anytime soon.

Also has anyone grinded away at the metal brackets? Seems like it touches the corner of them.

Thanks

 

There is no way I am the only that has this problem.

 

Seems like you have a combo that is not real popular. The offset on your wheels must be more than the 65mm stock, along with the car lowered (maybe too much). My leaf is 1/2" away from the back of the rim, car lowered 1", but the wheel/tire is also below the spring. I've never heard of anyone cutting anything on the spring, being composite, it may splinter. Only thing I could recommend is raise it up a bit until you get coils, since changing wheels would probably not be the answer.

 

Mine too.. I got a 1/4 spacer to move the wheels out ust a bit more... CCW's BTW... hmmmm whats up with that

 

Yeah I was surprised too that they did this. They are 18x11 and stick out just a tad. Maybee an eight of an inch. No complaints there. I think it looks awesome. But the Metal bracket on the leaf spring rubs right on the curve of the lip on the inside. And its just the corner of the bracket. It was shaving the rim like a lathe so I raised it a bit. Its not even that low. There is pprobably more than an inch gap between the tire and fender. I thaught maybee there was a vendor that sold shortened leaf springs.

Hey Driver, did you get your spacers from anywhere in particular? Or will the ones at PepBoys do just fine? Also are the bolts need to be replaced or are they long enough?

 

I have my '02Z lowered on stock bolts and cut bushings, somewhere around 1" to 1-1/2" lower than stock. With the stock wheels there's no problem since the bracket on the leaf spring is inside the rear wheel (i.e. inside means towards the middle of the car).

I had a set of stock 18x10.5 Z wheels widened to 11.5" (1" toward the middle of the car) and they just touched the spring brackets. I used a Dremel tool to cut a little chunk off the leading edge of the spring bracket and it helped, but the wheel would still touch when the suspension is compressed.

Hacking a larger chunk of that bracket off is probabl no big deal as long as you don't cut off the large center "hook" that wraps around the bottom part of the bracket. Trimming the hook off the front of the spring bracket is what I did, but may need to go a bit farther.

I sold the 11.5" wheels so I never bothered trimming the bracket back farther. Hopefully someday I will get some 12" wheels, then I'll have to go trimming that spring bracket for sure.

If you can't stomach cutting into the spring bracket, I believe VB&P sells shorter springs that are designed to clear wide wheels:

http://www.vbandp.com/C5-Corvettes/S...s/Springs.html

I don't see one listed there that actually claims to be shorter, maybe they don't sell them anymore... I thought they did? Maybe give them a call, they can probably steer you in the right direction.

 

Got them from CCW.... 40 bucks if I remember right... Id look around.. Im sure you can find them for cheaper... their not anything special and its only 1/4 inch... I didnt think I needed longer bolts

 

I had this problem. I have CCWs with 335 tires. My car is lowered about 1.5". My spring rubbed on the inner wheel barrel. I trimmed the metal bracket off. When I ran spacers the tires would hit the fenders on bumps, so I removed them. If you ordered the wheels from John at CCW, call him and he will send you some spacers.

 

would love to see pics of this issue...just can't picture what you are talking about...

 

how about a drawing

 

LOVE the artwork!

 

I think the spacer idea would not be good considering they stick out a bit already. Im gonna grind the metal bracket and see if I get enough clearance.

 

I get it now...nice rendering...you missed your calling! Ok, here is my take on it. That is an area of the fiberglass that is not subject to any bending stresses, so in theory you could shave some off of it. But that area of the rim is subject to very high loading when encountering a pothole, railroad crossing, or curb at high speed...which usually leads to a bent rim...don't ask me how I know. Perhaps you could go 50/50 and minimize each shave....best of luck and keep us posted.