Patrick,
the anti-squat geometry of the rear radius rods can
cause them to 'squat' a bit when backing up. Also
check your toe-in on the rear, this contributes to the
problem too.
As for fender scraping, I gained nearly 1/2" of
clearance by 'rolling' the fender lip under. This is
where the two panels are spot welded together inside
the curve of the wheel opening.
Take a good look at before you decide to do it. This
worked for me, solved the cleasrance problem with
racing tires.
I used a good heavy rubber mallet, a bodyman's dolly
and a hammer. Don't try to do it all at once, instead
bend at a little at a time, working your way around
the fender lip. After 3-4 passes, the lip will be
nicely rounded in, and out of the way. Also, since the
tire really only contacts at a few points, you can
concentrate on those. With a little care, you won't
even chip the paint, but a little touch-up paint to
prevent any rust would not hurt.
I would be very cautious about removing material from
the wheels. A broken wheel at speed will result in a
very bad day.
Good luck
Carter Shore
--- "Bowen, Patrick A RP2" <PABowen@sar.med.navy.mil>
wrote:
>
> On my spitfire I have a problem with the rear wheels
> scraping the fenders.
> I have 7 inch rims on the back running 205/60/R13's.
> The problem is when
> backing the car squats down several inches!. First
> is that normal? second
> is there a way to counteract it? I have the air
> shock conversion on the car
> and it helps but is not a cure. It only happens on
> the drivers side (for
> obvious reasons). While backing the very edge of
> the tires are catching
> the fender and digging in slicing them up. Just
> trashed one.
>
> I know that 7 inch rims are too big, however they
> are very nice rare
> Appliance Industries wheels and I would like to keep
> them, (unless someone
> can tell me where to get a smaller pair).
>
> My solution at this point is to keep the air shocks
> very well inflated. I
> am preparing to order new tires and am looking at
> 195/60/13's which are
> 1/2" shorter and 1/2" narrower. something else I am
> contemplating is have
> the machine shop shave the mounting face of the
> wheel down to bring the
> offset more into the wheel well. There is about an
> inch of aluminum at that
> point. Is there someone that knows how much I could
> get away with taking
> off? (Barry you out there?) .
>
> What other solutions are there?
>
> Patrick Bowen
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