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Trevor Jessie

Trevor Jessie

Yoda
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I purchased some vto 14x5.5 retro-4 wheels and some 185/60R14 tires. Upon fitting them on the sprite today I found that the front fits very well. And the back fits OK, but a little too close for comfort. It is nearly rubbing the head of the sock mounting bolt and the rim itself is close to the spring clamp. I knew it was going to be tight, but since I do not use a panhard bar at the moment I think I'll make up some 1/8" wheel spacers and give it a go.

Next, I'm going to try them on the Midget and see how they fit.

Pictures to follow...
 
No pictures yet, but I'm comparing finish to the Superlite wheels. The Superlite (Performance) wheels have a much rougher casting, and the clearcoat on the VTO's is much smoother and appears to have a higher solids content. I think I'm going to be happy with the wheels.
 
Trevor, glad you like the wheels and your feedback is always welcome, we learn from our customers. The 14x5.5 has about .200" positve offset than the 13x5.5".
 
I checked my tires after the HARD flogging this weekend and I had NO tire rub on the rear even at the spring wraps.
I even set up a 4 wheel drift with the rub issue in mind.
While my new panhard did it's job and kept the tub from rubbing I don't think the panhard would have much if any effect as far as the tire rub on the springs/spring wrap area.
I'm pleased too.
:driving:
 
I made some 1/8" spacers for the rear, and went to my favorite abandoned parking lot for testing. I'm totally impressed with those tires. No rubbing, but I think I'm going to fit a panhard so the spacers are not needed. I'm also digging out my old files to make up some offset trunnions (a project that was shelved while I was the local British Sports Car President.)
 
Refesh my memory on Spridgets, I don't have one at the shop right now. On the rear shock bolts, what is exposed on the side towards the wheel side stock, the bolt head or the nut and end of the bolt, I seem to remember we turned around the shocks bolts on the race cars to have the bolt head towards the wheel for clearence, of course we run 8" wide tires on the SCCA race cars.
 
On mine the bolt head is next to the tire.
 
Bolt heads next to tire, ie outside.
 
I'm using tube rear shocks and the attachment points are in-board of the springs.
 
Just to clarify:

On my car there are two potential contact points, the shock bolt (as mentioned) and a bolt on one of the spring clips. Without the wheel spacer, there is about 1/8" clearance (just by eyeball). I do not have a panhard bar installed, so I suspect there would be rubbing on hard corners. With the wheel spacer, I have 1/4" clearance that gives me enough clearance that there is no rubbing.

One other small problem. My muffler is occasionally touching the tire (has a nice polished edge from the other set of tires/rims). So, I'll need to stiffen my exhaust hanger a bit and nudge to the side. However, that is an easy fix.
 
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