Rear tyre / leaf spring clearance

dustymopar · Post by **dustymopar** » Mon Feb 03, 14 2:29 pm

I have read that 1/2" clearance between the rear tyre inner sidewall and spring is a safe minimum......

Would anyone agree or disagree with this?

TIA

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Mon Feb 03, 14 2:43 pm

interested in the responses

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Mon Feb 03, 14 3:08 pm

I've always worked on that theory Dusty.
The spring clearance is fine at that but carefully check the tyre against the inner and outer wheelhouse.
If I can't get a finger between the sidewall and wheelhouse I consider it too tight.
It's not that the tyre clearance is an issue, tyre growth, sidewall flex and under inflation won't usually exceed that amount but if you get debris off the road between the two it will likely damage the tyre

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Feb 03, 14 3:20 pm

I would agree that a half inch is a MINIMUM for a 50 or 60 series tyre. I have seen cars with as little as a quarter inch but high sidewall tyres WILL flex from side to side.

A really BIG sidewall tyre I would say more like an inch clearance.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Feb 03, 14 5:56 pm

I think TYPE of tyre may also have a bearing.

The big old M/T Crossplys I have on the Coronet flex an awful amount in corners, I bet Radials are far more stable from a sidewall perspective.

Pete

dustymopar · Post by **dustymopar** » Mon Feb 03, 14 6:22 pm

Thanks everyone

TW71 · Post by **TW71** » Tue Feb 04, 14 11:41 am

If you intend ever to run slicks beware of tight clearances, I have run into problems where the temperature increase over the day has resulted in the tyre wall expanding to the point of rubbing the springs or wheel arch