Ok well I FINALLY finished the install of the multileaf hotchkis spring kit I got last week. First off I am less then pleased with the quality of their product. The ubolts were not bent right so I had to rebend them. The spring pads were not cut to the right size and some of the bushings I had to machine to fit.

Well now I took the car for a ride last night and I have another problem. The car rides MUCH better and I found one of my old springs was sagged the other was broken at the front mount. BUT the main reason I did this in the first place was I had a problem with a tire that would scrape if I put passengers in the car on the right side only. I took 2 friends for a ride and now both of the tires will rub on the fender in the rear a little if I try and push a corner hard. I have corvette rally rims 15*8 in the rear with 255-60-15 tires. Is it a problem with tires that are too big? What can I do to fix this? My front end is still worn out could that be adding to the problem?

Thanks for any help
Zack
67 RS/SS

Zack - I'm really sorry to hear this hasn't been a good experience for you. IMO triming a pad or bending a u-bolt is a minor thing. The u-bolt most likely didn't just drop right in due to the drilling needed in the spring perch and shock plate. The pad needing trimmed was in the instructions and makes for use in more than one application. I recall your post about having bushing fitment problems and will agree that they took some work it install them on mine but it too wasn't that bad. If indeed you had mis-sized bushings you should have contacted Hitchkis as from what others have posted the problem was resolved in a heartbeat.

I think modifying the bushings was not such a good idea and may actually be causing the springs to roll some which wouldn't help your tire rubbing problem. Before I went to 17's I tried 255's on the back of my 69 on 15x8's with 5" of back spacing and had the problem you describe. What back spacing do you have?

Yes front suspension and body bushing condition can also have a play in all this too.

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...Dennis
"The '69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ww.jpg), the '96 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg) our local club (http://camaroslimited.com/)"
and the "daily driver" (http://chevelles.com/showroom/DjD/dsc00016.jpg)

The mods I had to do to the kit really were not that big of a deal but it was just one thing after another after another that kinda got to me. That and my experiences with doing PLENTY of mods on imports and other work while being a mechanic I never had to do so much work to make a aftermarket part work. I just expected after paying for what I thought was the best of the best it would be ready to go not have to be modified to work. I am just blowing off steam with the frustration, and then to still have the tires rubbing a little. Dont get me wrong the car is a new car as far as the improvement but I expected there to be no problems.

On the shackle bushings I only modified the ones that went into the body not the ones in the springs and that was after I talked to someone at hotchkis. They said go ahead and just take some material off the bushings to get them to fit if they wouldnt. They said it wouldnt make a difference with the performance.

Does anyone know how to check what backspacing my wheels have? That has been suggested to be a problem??

Thanks
Zack

Take the wheel off, lay it down on it's face, run a straight edge across rim where it meets the tires, then measure distance between the straight edge and the hub mounting face.

Take the wheel off, lay it down on it's face, run a straight edge across rim where it meets the tires, then measure distance between the straight edge and the hub mounting face.

probaly got 4 inch back space which is why you are having problem, where is the tire rubbing?? inside of wheel well, out side of well??
jake

Its rubbing on the outside of the wheel well, right along the trim piece on the fender

Zack

Zack, I think Jake is on it. My 15x8 5" back spacing wheels had tons of room on the outside but the inside was real close.

IMO, If your car has a stock stance to it, 255/60/15 is pushing the limit on clearance.
I have the same size tires and I had to have my springs "rebent".

What is the fender lip to ground distance? I have 255/60/15's on the rear of my '67 with a 4.25" BS and don't have a rubbing issue.



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-Funk
My '67 RS (http://www.funkconsulting.com/67camaro)

Funk - I'm guessing but at least 1 1/2" lower than yours if the pic on your site is current.

You probably have 4" or less of back spacing on the 15X8's. If you remove one or both of the spring pads, you'll gain additional clearance in the wheelwell. removing the pads will raise the rear of the car body

good luck
joe c

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69 X-44 base coupe, ZZ4, 16lb nodular flywheel, Center force DF clutch + PP, Holley 750V/S, Hooker super comp 1 3/4 ceramics, 2.5" dual exhaust w/ X-pipe, flowmaster 40 series mufflers, Aluminum radiator, spal 16" electric fan, Tremec TKO, 8.2 10 bolt 3:55 posi rear. front and rear Hotchkis suspension

hey original vette rims are 15x8 with 4 inch backspace, i have a set, also i was going to use 2 on my rear until i asked on here, and was told 4.5 backspace, so i ordered 2 wheel vintique rally vette rally wheels 15x8 with 4.5 backspace, i got them and put 275/50/15's on them and they fit in my 68's wheel well perfect, no rubbing 1/2 inch on either side for clearence, this is with stock multi leafs but i am lowering the car 1 inch in rear, and i have measured and should be no problems when i do, goodluckoh ya tire tucks up into wheel well, none of it is outside 1/4 lip.
goodluck
jake