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BaseBall BAT?

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Pythias

Pythias

Jedi Knight
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I'm about to receive 5 /1/2" rims for my Square Body Sprite. Rumor has it that they will accommodate tires without rubbing. WHAT SIZE? .. and if they do rub the rear fenders, i've heard that rolling the fender inners with a baseball bat will gently flare them enough to not rub.. .. is anyone familiar with this procedure? Will they inform me as to the proper steps so as not to actually do any DAMAGE? ..

TIA
 
I would hope that the tires are not going to rub. If they do, find a set-up that doesn't. If you are dead set on using a set that will rub, a flare job and spacers are in order. Don't use a baseball bat!! Geesh!
 
No, actually, I've done it several times to relieve the lip of the wheelwell.....works great!
 
tony barnhill said:
No, actually, I've done it several times to relieve the lip of the wheelwell.....works great!
Click to expand...

Tell me more!...
 
I'll tell you as soon as we get back from the snipe hunt. Now go get your bag. :devilgrin:
 
Put a baseball bat at about 9 oclock on a front tire, leaning the bat at about a 45 degree angle.
Have someone push the car forward while continuing to hold the bat against the tire.
Eventually, the bat will hit the fender lip.
Keep rolling the car forward as the bat "nudges" the fender lip up.
By the time you're at about 3 oclock, the bat will have moved away freom the fender.
Repeat this, holding the bat at a slightly different angle so it "nudges" more of the fender.....keep repeating until you get the required clearance (not always possible, depending on tires/wheels).

This really doesn't work on the square-type fenders on a box-Spridget. It can work OK on the more rounded front fenders though. I've used a 2X4 to do this too.

To get good clearance on square fenders usually involves real body work. By the way, there is precious little clearance between the leaf springs and "inside" of the tire, so sometimes you need wheel spacers, making the fender clearance even worse. You can see why many folks "convert" to RWA (1972-73) round-style Spridget fenders (as I have done, as seen in the picture below).
 
Yep, Nial has the technique down....&, believe me, it works - at least on MGB's!
 
This really doesn't work on the square-type fenders on a box-Spridget. It can work OK on the more rounded front fenders though. I've used a 2X4 to do this too.

Thanx.. That is the information I needed!.. .that and the technique. Much more helpful than than others.
 
SO let us know what size tires you were able to fit under a SWA with a 5 1/2" wheel. Bugsy my '68 wants to know.
 
Jim_Gruber said:
SO let us know what size tires you were able to fit under a SWA with a 5 1/2" wheel. Bugsy my '68 wants to know.
Click to expand...

I have claims of 175/70 13s working, but the consensus is that 165/80s WILL fit... I'll let ya know. .. ..

are YOU on "the list" at autox.team.net?
 
Sure am. Let us all know what you end up with under there. It's the 5 1/2" wheel thing that has me going. Since I'm putting on a Bugeye Bonnet I was tempted to convert to RWA but wasn't brave enough to do over the winter.
 
165/80's are sort of tall. I'd go 165/70, or 155/80.
 
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