I recently installed centerline 15 x 8.5 in. rims with 4.875 bs on 275/60 15 tires on the rear of my 1970 challenger. I have about an inch space between the drivers side fender and the tire. On the passenger side, with the fender lip rolled, the tire hits the fender. How can I tell if my rearend is not centered and if this is the case, can it be centered? There is also about 1/2 inch space between the leaf springs and the tire on both sides. If the rear end is centered, what else can it be? Could it be that the torsion bars need to be adjusted, or will a better set of leaf springs solve the problem? Any suggestions would be appreciated. The only other thing i can think of is to go to a 255/60 15. Thanks,
Calvin
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Tire fitment
by turbocal » 31 Mar 2007 17:35
- turbocal
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by dave-r » 31 Mar 2007 19:25
Two things.
First of all. The bearing adjuster on the passenger side of the axle tends to make the axle seem off centre. But just by a small bit.
The second thing is that Chrysler were crap at centering the axle on the leaf springs.
They were more concerned about getting each end on the axle the same distance from the front wheels so the car drove straight. Even then they sometimes didn't even get that right.
Remember these cars were made by DODGE.
However they are usually only a quarter to a half inch out. So yours must be a bad case.
Lucky for you I can tell you how to put it that (and a couple of other things) right.
First of all. Adjust the end play on the axle with that passenger side adjuster. Your manual will show you how but a dial gauge with a magnetic base will be very handy for this.
Once that is right, remove the axle completely.
Then cut off each spring perch from the axle. If the U-bolts are damaged while removing you will need to replace them.
Next you need two new spring perches. Easy to find and do not cost much.
Re-assemble the axle completely with the new perches clamped in place between the spring and axle with the U-bolts holding it all together.
Now you can move the axle side-to-side to centre it.
Also, with a jack under the pinion nose, raise or lower the pinion until it is the same angle to the road as the engine and trans. Then drop the nose about one or two degrees down from there.
Once everything is set right, put a few spot welds to fix the perches to the axle.
Then take it all apart again and weld the perches fully.
When you put it all back together on the car again you are basically done. But it would be wise to check the wheelbase exactly on each side of the car. You can shim the front mounts of the leaf springs to get it perfect.
Your car will now drive better and with fewer vibrations.
Easy isn't it?
If you have all the gear you could do it over a weekend. That is how long it took me and I had never done it before. You just have to be brave and get stuck in.
First of all. The bearing adjuster on the passenger side of the axle tends to make the axle seem off centre. But just by a small bit.
The second thing is that Chrysler were crap at centering the axle on the leaf springs.
They were more concerned about getting each end on the axle the same distance from the front wheels so the car drove straight. Even then they sometimes didn't even get that right.
Remember these cars were made by DODGE.
However they are usually only a quarter to a half inch out. So yours must be a bad case.
Lucky for you I can tell you how to put it that (and a couple of other things) right.
First of all. Adjust the end play on the axle with that passenger side adjuster. Your manual will show you how but a dial gauge with a magnetic base will be very handy for this.
Once that is right, remove the axle completely.
Then cut off each spring perch from the axle. If the U-bolts are damaged while removing you will need to replace them.
Next you need two new spring perches. Easy to find and do not cost much.
Re-assemble the axle completely with the new perches clamped in place between the spring and axle with the U-bolts holding it all together.
Now you can move the axle side-to-side to centre it.
Also, with a jack under the pinion nose, raise or lower the pinion until it is the same angle to the road as the engine and trans. Then drop the nose about one or two degrees down from there.
Once everything is set right, put a few spot welds to fix the perches to the axle.
Then take it all apart again and weld the perches fully.
When you put it all back together on the car again you are basically done. But it would be wise to check the wheelbase exactly on each side of the car. You can shim the front mounts of the leaf springs to get it perfect.
Your car will now drive better and with fewer vibrations.
Easy isn't it?
If you have all the gear you could do it over a weekend. That is how long it took me and I had never done it before. You just have to be brave and get stuck in.
-
dave-r - Grumpy Old Man
- Posts: 9842
- Joined: 12 Oct 2003 21:45
- Location: North of the Tyne, England
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1