I know there are a few of you that have run into the same problem I am having. I need to gain about half an inch in front end height to prevent tire rub on fenders. I don't want to go to stiffer springs if possible, unless all else fails. Anyone have any suggestions, any and all would be appreciated. I've attached acouple of pic's so you can see what I am dealing with. Thanks for any and all help.
Well this probably isn't the answer for you but you could just ad a little arch to the spring. If you are running a IFS front end on it you can put a spacer on the top of the springs. Like the rubbers that te NASCAR guys use.
Of course the other option is to run a narrower wheel (say, 15" X 4"), but you already knew that-how much offset do you currently have?
I had a buddy who actually just widened his fenders about an inch per side and it looked excellent and still rode just the way he liked. Seemed like a pretty simple fix and since you haven't gotten to the paint stage yet... may be a way to go?
try narrower tires/wheels...what size do you have now? they look kinda wide what is the front suspension? it appears you have disc brakes...early ford drums are not as wide as discs
You didn't say what front suspension you are using. If it's a transverse spring...add a spacer on top of the spring. I put a lot of miles on a '36 Roadster that was LOW. Tire rub is not totally caused by being to low...it's that your front wheels don't have enough offset. Narrower wheel or wider wheels all work. Your problem is the offset.
And watch out how much offset you have-I have a '35 with a Heidt's Superide II on it, and the Wheels I bought acutally hit the Frame on the inside (not enough offset), so watch out (btw, anybody need a nice set of American Torque Thrusts on a 5 X 4 1/2"?
You might need to gain more height with the additional weight that will be added when it is all ***embled.
Again, what front end? If its mustang II go with bigs and littles 15 & 14 and 185 75/14 on the front. Those are some big *** tires on the front in that pic Larry
Until we know what suspension cant suggest much. But I agree when you put on rest of the front end bumpers doors its gonna drop some more with the added weight.
Sorry for the lack of info, it's a mustang II front end with P215/60/R16's for tires. I figured I'd loose another 1/2 to 3/4" with the rest of it put together. I guess I am leaning towards stiffer springs, if I take the time to pull the front end apart again to install spacers, I might as well do it right and replace the springs.
I think Heidt's sells narrowed control arms and depending on rotors used, brakes can make a difference too. Stock rotors are probably the narrowest.
that's a big tire you have up front , just go with a narrower tire/wheel . i don't think you want it to sit any higher i have 165R15 on a 6" X 15" rim on the car in my avatar , but has dropped i-beam axle
I have the same problem with my '36 coupe. Last fall I installed adjustable coil-overs but it didn't help. My next step is to install aluminum spacers in the coil-overs. Have to wait until it's warmer since my garage isn't heated.
My '35 has Fat Man narrowed control arms on a Nova sub, 15x7 wheels and 205/65-15 Silvertowns. My wheels sit noticably further in than yours show to in the photo, and I've got no rubbing issues that I can see. Alignment and steering all seem fine with the narrowed arms - I've been able set caster, camber and toe all correctly.
Hey guys, thanks for all the info, I apprediate it. What would be your thoughts on going with 215/45R16's, I think the tire would put me below the fender enough to solve my proplem. Anyone out there ever went with a low profile tire??
i don't think the problem is the tires are too tall , you want the tire up in the wheel well and the car low. look at the tires on the car in my avatar....tucked up where they should be your tires/wheels are too wide and/or your suspension is too wide
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