GW CAT5 rear leafs got em and have a Q.

[mario65]

I bought my 67 Bird with GW Cat 5's with no rear sway bar and no tires and wheels that have any respectable grip. I am filling my wheel well with large tires and now have a rear bar. I am curious about the spherical bearings in the leaf eyes needing more lateral space in the wheel well. Is anyone using them and can say definitively that they require more room in the wheel well over other bushings?

[David Pozzi]

Are you asking if they have lateral deflection? They don't move laterally.

[mario65]

Thanks for the response. Just making sure that because they can pivot as they do that they would not create more lateral movement in the wheel well than other bushings. I guess thats the technical term for lateral deflection?

[neki67]

You're afraid of the 'swing' but since the leafs are nearly flat there's also hardly any swing/lateral movement. I myself use composite springs with spherical bushings but since the composite springs are not the best when it comes to lateral deflection I decided to add a (Fays) Watts Link. Rear is now incredibly stable. Even with steel leafs and Poly bushings under certain conditions tires could still rub. Now no more rubbing and such a better ride quality, feel and grip.

So, if you want to be absolute sure, add a Watts Link. Second best option would be a Panhard Bar.

[MCB Matt]

Just keep in mind as the suspension articulates (in and out of driveways mostly) it will push the upper side of the tire closer to the inner wheel well, this usually won't cause damage to the tires but will be noisy and will rub the paint off in there...you can use a floor jack or your own driveway to simulate this movement to better gauge how much wider you can go.

Matt