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Rear tyre / leaf spring clearance
Posted: Mon Feb 03, 14 2:29 pm
by dustymopar
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

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 14 2:43 pm
by GJUK
interested in the responses

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 14 3:08 pm
by Adrian Worman
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

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 14 3:20 pm
by Dave-R
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.
Posted: Mon Feb 03, 14 5:56 pm
by Pete
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
Posted: Mon Feb 03, 14 6:22 pm
by dustymopar
Thanks everyone

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 14 11:41 am
by TW71
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
