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Thread: Rear wheel clearance

  1. #1
    Boydster's Avatar
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    Rear wheel clearance

    Posting this outside of my build thread to get more responses...

    Installed the wheels & tires for the first time today.
    IMG_20170502_192457.jpg
    Yay!!


    But... the rear wheels barely clear the lower shock brackets. Rear wheel is 17x10.5, 6.875 BS

    wheel clearance.jpg

    Think that'll be OK? It's about 3/16"

    Edit: 3 link solid rear axle.
    Last edited by Boydster; 05-03-2017 at 09:01 AM.
    ---Boyd---
    MkIV #9042 build thread
    www.boss427.us
    427W, TKO600, Moser 3.55 rear.
    Delivered Feb 2017, Graduated Nov 4, 2019

  2. #2
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    I will have a quick look at mine right now. what rear suspension are you running

  3. #3
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    i have 3 link and about a half inch of clearance. Running FF wheels

  4. #4
    Senior Member CraigS's Avatar
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    It may be OK but would make me nervous. I would add a 1/8 to 1/4 inch spacer.
    FFR MkII, 408W, Tremec TKO 500, 2015 IRS, DA QA1s, Forte front bar, APE hardtop.

  5. #5

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    RoadRacer's Avatar
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    Fwiw I've run like that on cars for many miles without problem. Obviously they are not going to move relative to each other and the thoughts of stones etc getting in there have never happened over 60000 miles on GT40 even after gravel trap excursions. My 2c; it's fine
    James

    FFR33 #997 (Gen1 chassis, Gen2 body), license plate DRIVE IT says it all! build thread
    My build: 350SBC, TKO600, hardtop, no fenders/hood, 32 grill, 3 link, sway bars, 355/30r19
    Previous cars: GTD40, Cobra, tubeframe 55 Chevy, 66 Nova, 56 F100

  6. #6
    Out Drivin' Gumball's Avatar
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    If the wheel and that lower bracket move together, then that amount is fine - clearance is clearance in those cases. If they move independently - or if one is fixed and the other moves - then I'd be concerned.
    Later,
    Chris

    "There are no more monsters to fear, and so, we have to build our own."
    Mk3.1 #7074

  7. #7
    Boydster's Avatar
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    They do move together... It's a 3 link solid axle rear. After thinking for a bit, yeah, it's most likely ok, but like Craig, just makes me nervous. Still might add a 1/8" spacer.
    ---Boyd---
    MkIV #9042 build thread
    www.boss427.us
    427W, TKO600, Moser 3.55 rear.
    Delivered Feb 2017, Graduated Nov 4, 2019

  8. #8
    Senior Member Avalanche325's Avatar
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    One thing you guys are not accounting for is wheel flex. If you do more than cruise, that wheel is going to rub!

    Mine looked just like that and was fine.......until I started autocrossing. It rubbed right on the rollover to the rim. I clearanced the bracket with a grinder.

  9. #9

    Steve >> aka: GoDadGo
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    Quote Originally Posted by Avalanche325 View Post
    One thing you guys are not accounting for is wheel flex. If you do more than cruise, that wheel is going to rub!

    Mine looked just like that and was fine.......until I started autocrossing. It rubbed right on the rollover to the rim. I clearanced the bracket with a grinder.

    Avalanche,

    I've got about 3/4" of clearance, because my rears are only 10" wide with a 6.10"" back spacing.
    Do you think that is enough room or should I start grinding too?

    Steve

  10. #10
    mcwho's Avatar
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    I had a similar issue with 15 inch wheels. First time rolling out of garage I heard a scraping, the frame/brake brackets were rubbing against the inside of the wheels.

    In my responses I got eberything to the over engineered ans to get different btakes to grind off the offending frame piece. I solved it by simply adding 1/4 " spacers on each side.

    This wont be the last thing that does not fit right!

    My biggest Uh Oohhh! was the parking brake cables would not fit cause there as a buttonhead bolt that had to be countersunk to make those cables work.

    This is not a click into place kit, some engineering retrofitting will have to be done occasionally!

    see pics
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by mcwho; 05-03-2017 at 09:52 PM.
    Baghdad Bob

    Complete Kit Delivered July 2010, serial @ 7287, Whitby Power Brakes, Whitby Tonneau, Power Steering w HEIDTS PS Valve, Hydralic clutch, 15" Wheels, BFG Tires, 331 stroker w Quick Fuel 650, RPM Heads, Air Gap Intake. IRS w 3.27, TKO-600. FFMETAL Firewall Forward, FFMETAL Dropped Battery Box in Trunk, Enlarged Passenger footbox, Breeze Cubby storage, Breeze Seat Brackets, Herbs Door Panels. Ford ruby red 12 coats.

  11. #11
    Boydster's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mcwho View Post
    [snip]
    I solved it by simply adding 1/4 " spacers on each side. This wont be the last thing that does not fit right!
    [snip]
    This is not a click into place kit, some engineering retrofitting will have to be done occasionally!
    Oh, I absolutely agree! That's a huge part of the fun & challenge of building one of these. I knew something like this could happen once I went outside of F5 to order my own choice of wheels.

    I think I'll get some 1/8 and 1/4" spacers, install the 1/8 just for peace of mind. I'll have the 1/4" in case they are ever needed.

    Thanks everyone for the input!
    ---Boyd---
    MkIV #9042 build thread
    www.boss427.us
    427W, TKO600, Moser 3.55 rear.
    Delivered Feb 2017, Graduated Nov 4, 2019

  12. #12
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    I really like that wheel and tire combo. I assume the back are 315/35/17. What size are you using up front?

  13. #13
    Boydster's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kcorn View Post
    I really like that wheel and tire combo. I assume the back are 315/35/17. What size are you using up front?

    Thanks!
    Front is a 17x9 wheel with a 255/40-17 Nitto NT05

    Yes, the rear is 315/35-17 on a 17x10.5

    American Racing AR105's. They come in several different finishes. I chose the anthracite because the car is going metallic grey.
    ---Boyd---
    MkIV #9042 build thread
    www.boss427.us
    427W, TKO600, Moser 3.55 rear.
    Delivered Feb 2017, Graduated Nov 4, 2019

  14. #14
    Senior Member Avalanche325's Avatar
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    I would think that 3/4" would be OK. I guess it all depends on how much the wheels flex under max load. I have the FFR Halibrands - 10.5". I would guess that the clearance was less than 1/2".

    There is plenty of metal on that bracket if you do need to clearance it.

  15. #15

    Steve >> aka: GoDadGo
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    Quote Originally Posted by Avalanche325 View Post
    I would think that 3/4" would be OK. I guess it all depends on how much the wheels flex under max load. I have the FFR Halibrands - 10.5". I would guess that the clearance was less than 1/2".

    There is plenty of metal on that bracket if you do need to clearance it.
    Thanks!

  16. #16
    Senior Member CraigS's Avatar
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    I hope this works. video of axle flex. this is just swerving at 35-40 mph on the street.
    https://youtu.be/eNDjVobCnGk
    FFR MkII, 408W, Tremec TKO 500, 2015 IRS, DA QA1s, Forte front bar, APE hardtop.

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