Rear Tire to Leaf Spring: How Much Clearance?

[CliffsBlueCamaro]

How much clearance should I shoot for between my rear tire and the leaf spring? I'm assuming that it is possible for the leaf spring bushings and shackles to have some play in them, but any suggestions on how close I could get to the leaf? (Assume that the rear inner fenderwell has been pushed all the way to the frame, and the tire's first point of contact will be the leaf spring.)

And, I would like to ask a favor from someone with a stock length rear in their 1st Gen Camaro; Can you give me the measurement from the wheel mounting surface of your drum or disc to the leaf spring? I will be away from my car for a few more months, and I'm trying to see if my measurement theories are correct.

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer!

[Apogee]

That would depend on the profile of the tire. Lower profile requires less clearance since it won't move as much laterally relative to the wheel as a higher profile tire will. I've always aimed for 3/8 to 1/2 inch clearance myself with 35 to 45-series rubber without any issues...yet.

Tobin
KORE3

[Taman]

When I ran ET street bias ply tires, I had 1/2" clearance and only rubbed around corners. It wasn't bad. I just had to go like a little old lady.

[CliffsBlueCamaro]

Great info guys! I will be likely running 35 or 40 series tires.

I'm actually surprised that I could get as close as 3/8".

What I'm trying to do is push the fender well in to the frame, and use maximum front and rear spacing to fit the widest wheel/tire combo possible without using offset spring shackles. I really dont want to narrow my gas tank, use a fuel cell, or buy a $1K stainless tank.

So can anyone confirm that there is 7.5" from the wheel mounting surface to the leaf? (I also realize that clearance gets tighter towards the back of the leaf because it's angled in.)

Thanks again!

[DriverzInc]

Take the overall diameter of the tire you want to run, half it for the radius, and measure out from the center of your disc by that amount, and then from that point measure to your leaf. .375" to your leaf is plenty of room, I've gone as close a .250" with a 35 series tire, there is not a lot of tire flex.

[DCx]

hey cliff, ill look for you man. i have some 9.5" wide rims with 5.5" BS on my non-mini tubbed 69 with 3" lowing DSE springs and cal trac bars. also running 275/35/18 BFG drag radials.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

hey cliff, ill look for you man. i have some 9.5" wide rims with 5.5" BS on my non-mini tubbed 69 with 3" lowing DSE springs and cal trac bars. also running 275/35/18 BFG drag radials.

69 Camaro exact same wheel size/BS, 275 BFG KDW2s, GW Cat5s - it's close:



(my first pic and it worked!)