Author Topic: Axle problem?  (Read 1437 times)

Offline ajantics

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Axle problem?
« on: September 04, 2009 - 03:36:19 PM »
Hi everyone! I am a newbie so please forgive me for my amateur explanation ;)

So yesterday I put on my new wheel & tire combo and now my rear drivers side tire is rubbing.  :banghead: I went with a combo that other members have had no problems with. The tire side wall is rubbing on the inner fender lip where the chrome trim wraps around.

The rim size is 15x8 with 4-1/2 BS in the rear with 275/60-15 rubber. I have plenty of clearance on the passenger side but no clearance on the driver side. It seems as if the axle is not centered leaving more then a quarter inch of room on the passenger side then the drivers side  :dunno:

From what I know the car has a stock 8-3/4 dana axle with stock leaf springs? The leaf springs ubolts are snug and look to be in the right location.

I guess I wanted to know what you guys and gals recommend for the solution. Should I take the car to an alignment shop?

I've attached two photos if that helps? 1st picture is the drivers side wheel well, and the 2nd pic is the passenger side!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

A.J. :wave:

70 Barracuda
73 'Cuda
2003 Dodge Ram 3/4ton
2009 G37s




Offline dodj

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2009 - 03:45:21 PM »
I went with a combo that other members have had no problems with.
How much clearance do the others have?  How much clearance do you have on the other side if the tire? Maybe a different offset is needed, or the tire is just too big.
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline ajantics

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2009 - 04:03:51 PM »
The passenger side rear has 3/4" clearance and the drivers side has 1/2" clearance. I may just have to go with smaller tires in the rear, but i would like to keep this combo cuz i love the way it looks :thumbsup:

The front wheels I am running 15x7 with 245/60-15 tires with no problems what so ever.
70 Barracuda
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2003 Dodge Ram 3/4ton
2009 G37s

Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2009 - 04:09:11 PM »
It's normal for the driver's side to be tighter then the Passenger side. I would make the clearance  on the lip by some minor filing and call it done.  It could be alot worse like rubbing on the springs for example.

Maybe a little grinder work finished off with sand paper to round it off..

Offline ajantics

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2009 - 04:19:06 PM »
It's normal for the driver's side to be tighter then the Passenger side. I would make the clearance  on the lip by some minor filing and call it done.  It could be alot worse like rubbing on the springs for example.

Maybe a little grinder work finished off with sand paper to round it off..

I was thinking about grinding down the extra metal that rolls under there cuz that takes no time at all.  :thumbsup:

So it is normal for the axle to be tighter on the drivers side? If thats the case then It looks like I am grinding baby! :working:
70 Barracuda
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2003 Dodge Ram 3/4ton
2009 G37s

Offline 6packCuda

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2009 - 04:46:12 PM »
I think that's pretty normal. Mine is pretty damn tight on the drivers side too but it doesn't rub.
Dave

Offline dodj

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2009 - 09:15:09 AM »
I think that's pretty normal. Mine is pretty damn tight on the drivers side too but it doesn't rub.
What size are your rear tires?
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline 6packCuda

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2009 - 09:39:48 AM »
275/60/15s on an 8" rim with 4.5" BS. I've got about 1/4" clearance on the driver's side and about 1/2" on the passenger's side.

Driver's side



Passenger's side

« Last Edit: September 05, 2009 - 09:49:43 AM by 6packCuda »
Dave

Offline dodj

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2009 - 09:52:42 AM »
275/60/15s on an 8" rim with 4.5" BS. I've got about 1/4" clearance on the driver's side and about 1/2" on the passenger's side.
Now that's a full wheel well! :2thumbs:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2009 - 11:27:17 AM »
the diffs were never perfectly centered , virtually every car I have looked at was tighter on one side but I did the same swap on a 70 Cuda , same tire & rim & it clears easily  :clueless:

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Offline vinb

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2009 - 03:31:27 PM »
I have the same set-up on my Cuda, I have approx, 1 1/2" clearance..

My car sits 26 3/4" from center of wheelwell down to ground..

Like CP said measure it out and see if the rear is a little over ??

Offline ajantics

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2009 - 05:18:09 PM »
When I get back from tahoe I will measure for you guys! Thanks for all the responses!
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2009 G37s

Offline 71chally416

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #12 on: September 05, 2009 - 05:41:05 PM »

I guess I wanted to know what you guys and gals recommend for the solution. Should I take the car to an alignment shop?

I've attached two photos if that helps? 1st picture is the drivers side wheel well, and the 2nd pic is the passenger side!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

A.J. :wave:

Sell it and get a Challenger   :poopoke:
Once we had Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope & Johnny Cash. Now we have Obama, No Hope and No Cash!

Offline ajantics

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2009 - 05:14:13 PM »
275/60/15s on an 8" rim with 4.5" BS. I've got about 1/4" clearance on the driver's side and about 1/2" on the passenger's side.

Driver's side



Passenger's side







-6packCuda -Thanks alot for posting the pics :thumbsup:, I am going to hop under there tomorrow and grind a little off of the inner wheel well and I think i will have enough clearance after that!

-71chally416- :rofl: :roflsmiley: I think that will be the next project car I get. 
:stomp: :swear: :villagers: <I think this is what my girl will be like if I bring home another car though ;)
« Last Edit: September 08, 2009 - 05:16:02 PM by ajantics »
70 Barracuda
73 'Cuda
2003 Dodge Ram 3/4ton
2009 G37s

Offline ajantics

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Re: Axle problem?
« Reply #14 on: September 08, 2009 - 05:58:20 PM »
I have the same set-up on my Cuda, I have approx, 1 1/2" clearance..

My car sits 26 3/4" from center of wheelwell down to ground..

Like CP said measure it out and see if the rear is a little over ??

I measured out at 25 7/16 on the passenger side and 25 15/16 on the driver side.

Do you think Is should swap on the old leaf springs for some new ones?
70 Barracuda
73 'Cuda
2003 Dodge Ram 3/4ton
2009 G37s