Rear Wheel Clearance?

[EastCoast]

I've searched this and I think I know the answer, but I still need to ask before I pull the trigger on these wheels.

How much inside clearance is considered minimum for the rear wheels? I trying to fit 18x9.5 with just under 6" of BS (15mm offset). I expect to run a small spacer, but I will only have 3/4" clearance to the inner wheel house at best. Is that enough? That's keeping the same 275 tire width that I'm currently running....

How close do you dare go on the outside?

Here are the wheels:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-AD...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks
Robb

[MrQuick]

what kinda car robb? i'll take a stab since you didn't get a response. 1/2" with a phb equipt link suspension or 3/4"-1" with a leaf car.

[EastCoast]

Ya, I guess that would help!

It's a 68 Camaro with leafs. I have 17x8 with 4.5" BS right now with a 275/40 tire. I'm trying to see what clearance I will have with the same width tire on a different rim. It seems really tight to me, but I see lots of guys running 9.5" wheels on first gens with similar BS (5.5" - 6"). I was wondering how much clearance they had on the inside?

Thanks
Robb

I would really appreciate some responses, I may order the wheels tomorrow. Thanks

[buickfunnycar.com]

I am running 17x9.5 (5.5" b/s) on my leaf-spring '69 Z/28 and I have 5/8"-3/4" inner clearance on the tight side...no rubbing.

[EastCoast]

Thanks. The wheels were so cheap that bought them yesterday. I'll do whatever necessary to get them to fit. I think they have 1/4" - 3/8" too much BS so I should be able to dial them in with the right spacer.

Anywhere it may rub on the inside, can be adjusted with a BFG!

Robb

[rlplive]

make sure to post a pic when you get them on, I think they will look great I just hope they fit for ya.
Ryan

[EastCoast]

Ryan

Will do. They're taking forever to get across the country!!! I think they're on the back of a donkey somewhere in the mid-west by now.

Didn't help that the seller didn't even ship them for an entire week.

I hope they are worth the wait.

Here's the car they're going on:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2310023

Robb

[mone]

The price is cheap for a reason, but they are a good starter wheel until you decide you want some Boze or Budniks.I had some on my Accord for a few months.

[70nova]

Any chance you are selling your old wheels?
let me know if you are
[email protected]

[EastCoast]

Any chance you are selling your old wheels?
let me know if you are
[email protected]

Sorry. They're going on Dad's car...



I got the new wheels last night. They may be starter wheels, but I couldn't be happier. They came shipped with cloth covers over the face of the wheel and a plastic ring to protect the lip during shipping.

I will start to look at things harder tonight, but I still feel that the rears are going to be VERY tight. They are 5 7/8" BS but if I move them out 3/8" to the common 5.5, it seems that they will be too close to the fender lip.... Maybe not, I guess I'll see. Without a spacer at all, I'm have about 1/2 - 3/4" clearance to the inner fender which doesn't seem like enough. Can anyone provide any input on minimum clearance needed?

I ordered tires today anyway.... I will make everything fit!!

Robb

[Josh69]

Definitely keep us posted and post up some pics! I'm looking at a set like them, and have a '69 Firebird, so I have a longer rear axle and was wondering if they'd fit without the spacer. Let me know how much spacer you used for the camaro axle without rubbing the fenders, are they rolled?

What suspension do you have in the rear, lowered?

[EastCoast]

Well, just an update on this for anyone who's interested.

The wheels & tires are mounted and on the car. The fronts (18x8.5 w/5.25 BS) fit really well. The left tire will rub on the rear of the frame just as I hit full lock to the left. To the right is fine (I'm guessing that my steering box is not exactly in the center of its gear).

The rears (18x9.5 w/ 5 7/8 BS) are tight to the inner fender. I have 3/4" clearance, max. I've done some testing both in the shop and out in the driveway and if I back off the side of the driveway onto the lawn, I can get them to rub, but the rear is articulated quite aways. I have a 5/16" spacer comming from Summit.

I've driven the car approximately 50 miles with no issue. No shakes, rubs, shimmies, vibrations, etc.... I've checked the torque ever 20-25 miles and never an issue.

Here are some pics. I wasn't planning a photoshoot so I didn't have any cleaning supplies, etc. I will go back here later in the summer and take some good shots!!







Robb

[MrQuick]

cool, very nice. glad it worked out for you. Are you going to have to roll your outer lip? What is the clearence to the leaf spring?

Also what size tires?

[EastCoast]

The tires are 235/40/18 on the front and 275/35/18 on the rear.

I would have to go measure the clearance to the leaf spring, but I do know that the inner wheel well is much closer that the spring. I have not rolled the fender lip (too scared to do this on a painted car) nor do I think I will need to. I'm waiting for a 5/16" spacer to come, which will allow for additional clearance on the inside but I do not think it will get me out far enough to rub on the lip. If the wheels were 5.5" BS, I could see that being necessary (but that's just my car). This could be due to the rear disc brakes (12" vette).

Robb