Wheel Clearance
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 88
From: New Orleans, LA
Wheel Clearance
The '71 S convertible that I'm restoring came with a set of 14" wheels that are the factory 5-spoke that are painted silver and black with the interchangeable logo center cap and chrome trim rings. We pulled the front clip this weekend and noticed that the spindle arm and tie-rod end only have about 1/4" of clearance from the lip of the wheel. This doesn't seem normal and a I'm assuming that these wheels came off another GM (the caps are the Chevy SS variety).
What would the original factory wheel be for this model? Would it have been 15" or maybe had a lesser backspace from the inside wheel flange to the lug face?
Many thanks in advance!
What would the original factory wheel be for this model? Would it have been 15" or maybe had a lesser backspace from the inside wheel flange to the lug face?
Many thanks in advance!
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,431
From: Phoenix, AZ
14" wheels were factory original on a '71. Could be SSI, SSII, or steelies with hub caps. The SSII wheels would have bolt-on center caps. I'm not sure about the SSI wheels.
Last edited by Fun71; Mar 10, 2014 at 11:30 PM.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,815
From: Northern VA
It's normal. There's no relative motion between those parts. 1/4" clearance is fine. The wheels you describe sound like SuperStock I wheels, which are the same ones used on Chevys.
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