Leaf Spring Clearance

[82firebird]

I just swapped out a set of 14" magnum 500 wheels for these 15" rallye wheels. These wheels are 6.5" wide and the tires are 255/60/15. I have only driven the car about 20 miles with this combination when I noticed today how close the leaf spring was to the tire wall. I looked at cheating the rear end over to the passenger side a bit but the clearance would not be that much improved and would only make the driver's side that much closer. These are "super stock" springs. Clearance is less than 3/8". Any ideas for me?



I just went out and looked at things again and I have a good 3" of clearance on the outside of the wheel well.. this shows the clearance.

[jimynick]

Looks like 3 choices- 1- buy and install spacers- make sure you've got a good amount of stud/nut connection or 2 - buy some wheels with less back space or 3- re-locate the springs (DR Diff kit). 

[Road_Runner]

Can you tell if the tires are rubbing? That close they probably will if you corner hard.  That said, those wheels must have major negative offset to be so close to the springs and that far off the fender.  I don't think I've ever seen that myself.  Any chance those wheels belong on a A Body or some other car needing that kind of offset?  Did your 14" wheels & tires fit that close to the springs?  Curious.

Later, Jim

[82firebird]

Thanks for the responses. No, the tires are not rubbing, I was just surprised they were that close when I heard others are running 275's with no problem. I did not pay much attention to the 14" tire size as we switched the wheels/tires the day we bought the car. I assumed A body wheels would not fit due to different bolt pattern but if they will swap, that is a possibility. Before I do anything I will pull the wheels off and measure the offset and report back to you guys.

[Chryco Psycho]

the tires should not deflect that high up the sidewall & I doubt would ever rub even being that close , but the tire is too far under the body , , I wonder if you have a narrower diff under the car , you could get some custom rims made with the right offset

[82firebird]

Thanks guys, the car has a Dana 60 that appears to have been cut down for this car. I will have to measure and compare to the stock flange-to-flange lengh to see if they narrowed it a few inches or not, anyone know what that measurement would be? For now I will put a set of 5/16" spacers on for some peace of mind and will look into the custom offset option. I appreciate all the input! 

[HP2]

Looks liek it was narrowed for high negative offset rims. Stock measurement for an E body drum face to drum face is 61.625, seat width for the springs is 46.