Thread: After lowering....

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...has anyone had difficulty removing their rear wheels?

I just lowered the rear end of my car ('54 Ford Customline) with 3" blocks. I like the end result, but when I tried to pull my rear wheels off, I found that the tires won't squeeze out between the brake drum and the fender. Has anyone else encountered the same problem? If so, how did you resolve it? I was wondering if I lowered it with lowering springs, would it make a difference? I figure with the lowering springs, it might allow for more "drop" when I lift the car to remove the wheel....

As always, I appreciate all the help you guys can give!

Fred

Try a set of air shocks.

A lot of ProStreet cars that are tubbed have to drop the entire rear axle assembly down to get the big Mickeys off.

Never thought about 3 inch lowering causing this problem, but can see how that would happen. I guess hambiskit is right, air shocks to force the axle further than gravity would push it. Airbagging it would work too, as you can overextend it beyond normal ride height.


Don

Well this may sound like a dumb question but you are jacking it up from the frame right? Don't ask how I know
I have that same problem if I jack my Rambler up under the rear end...... First time I went to take them off it was oh s*#@

MM64

www.rgkustoms.com

I agree with Mr. Mopar, i bet you you jack it from the frame then it will allow the rear axle assembly to droop, giving you enough clearance to remove the tires....

Actually, I still had the car up on jackstands, so the springs were at full droop--the wheels weren't touching the ground. I tried moving my floor jack and lifting up either side of the axle to see if I could squeeze the wheel out. I figured putting the axle at different angles might give me the additional room I needed. Actually, I ended up pulling off a lot of the Bondo that was already packed onto the fender...So, now I have to fix that....AND, I still couldn't get the wheel off! I guess I'll try the air shock suggestion. Can anybody suggest a good vendor for these? Kanter?

Thanks guys!!

I own a pro street car that i have to let the air out of the tires to get them off I don't know if this will work in your case and sometimes taking the shock off at one end helps

Have you tried letting the air out of the tire so you can squish it past the drum/fender?

Now you know why radiussed wheel wells were invented!
If it's "low and slow", go to skinnier tires, or open up the wells and add fender skirts to get the "look" back. You can use a small hydraulic jack between the spring and the frame to push the rear end down. Block the car up, and go easy with the pressure, the shock can be pulled apart doing this.

I've had a number of cars that you have to drop the coilovers to get the rear tires off... Just remeber to use a long brake hose from the frame to the rear end housing....Yup, I learned that lesson, too!!!!