ordered new wheels and tires

[jordan]

I got my new rims tonight!!  Finally!  I have been waiting for almost a month.  I got my TSW snettertons.  18 x 8 with 20mm offset on the front and they fit great as best as I can tell.  On the rear, I bought 18 x 9.5 with a 40mm offset and 20mm offset.  The 40mm offset definitely do not fit.  They are too close to the leaf spring.  The 20mm offset rim fits good, but I want the groups opinion on how much room to the spring is good. 
At the rear, on the drivers side, I have 1 1/8 inch from the rim to the spring.  I have 1 3/4 inch from the rim to the quarter lip.  It looks like it will be close with the vredestein 295 tire with a 12.1 in overall width.  I may have to use a 1/4in spacer if it doesnt fit.  Now here is the bigger issue.  On the passenger side, I have 1 1/4 inch from the rim to the spring.  And only 1/4 in  from the outer rim to the lip of the quarter panel!!  I may have to trim the quarter a bit to make it fit, but if I have to put a spacer on the hub, I will be in trouble at the quarter.  What to do? 
The car was it in the rear at some time, and I think both quarters have been replaced.  I dont think it was a high quality job, as the trunk gets water in it when it rains.  I am not sure where to go with this.  I cant have the tire rubbing  on the passenger side when I do hard cornering.  Should I even mount the tires on the rims?  Do I need to get a smaller tire size?  I have a stout stroker making 640 torque, so I want as much rubber back there as I can.  Any suggestions. 

[brads70]

or.... you could cut off the rear end to leaf spring brackets and weld them on to space the rear end evenly?   Addition benefit...You could then also set the pinion angle exactly where you want it

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=79257.0

[dodj]

From what I see, I would be using the 40mm offset wheels. 20mm closer to the leafs would present no problems. Or is your offset the other way and moving the wheels further out? My rear tires (315/35/17) are within 1/4" of the leafs.
Remember, the deflection of the sidewall will only be happening where it is contact with the road. A couple inches up and the sidewall is back to it's normal position.

[jordan]

Hey Brad, I already centered the rear to the springs.  Only a 1/8" off according to the rim to leaf space on both sides and set the pinion angle.

     My biggest problem is the rim to quarter space.  I put the 40mm offset on and it was very close to the spring.  I do NOT have tires mounted yet, so these measurements are at the rim, not tire.  I would suspect my tire will bulge from the rim more than 3/4" and rub the spring.  That is why I need to go with the 20mm offset to get the rim away from the spring.  My car was rear ended at some point in it life and looks like its quarters are pushed to the drivers side with an inch of difference between the two sides.  My tire fits in the pass wheel well, but it is hard to tell where it will fit when it is centered on the rim.  I may have to trim some of my quarter lip to make it fit.  Suggestions???

[jordan]

I took my chances after some measurements and had my tires mounted . I do have  some clearance issues on the passenger side rear.  Using a straight edge, my tire is even with my quarter lip.  I am going to trim a bit of it and see how it fits.  I am hoping my large sway bars keep the tire from rubbing.  My other wheels fit, but I have long studs on the front it seems.  So now I have to go back and get some deep lug nuts, or I will have to redo all my front hub studs.  I am having a hard time catching a break on anything lately.   

[brads70]

Hey Brad, I already centered the rear to the springs.  Only a 1/8" off according to the rim to leaf space on both sides and set the pinion angle.

Ah I missed that just looked at the fender dimensions .