165/15s scrubbing

[71VDUB]

Lowered my 71 2 outer clicks in the rear and have 2.5 drop spindles coming. I'm running chrome smoothies(they came on the car). The local tire shop recommended 175/55/15 or 195/55/15s on the rear. They seem a little wide. What do you guys think? I'm afraid that on the front I will need a different size also. Any help is appreciated.

[A1steaksauce]

drop spindles and 2 clicks on the rear probably isn't gonna sit level. i'm 2 clicks out back with drop spindles and adjusters up front.

personally, i'd raise the rear back up to stock, install the drop spindles up front when they arrive, then re-do the rear to match the amount of drop you obtained in the front, then go tire shopping.

here's a great tool:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

this allows you to compare different tire sizes and will also give you the overall height of a tire to also aid in dialing in your ride height/tire space/etc.

and a local tire store isn't going to be too much help to you i'm afraid. they want to sell what they have in stock or what they can get thru their supplier and most of the time they won't be able to get you common aircooled sizes like 135's or 165's (for a decent price that is).

[71VDUB]

I thought the same amount. 2 clicks dropped it a significant amount. Thank you for the info!

[Schell R32]

like A1 said...i've lowered several and when saying "2 clicks" it doesnt always flow...

sometimes it takes a 2 out and 1 in or sinply 1 click out....the suspension settles differently on every car as the way it's settled,driven and maintained....you'll def have to change the front sneakers....155's,145's or even 135's...switch to 50-60's there are alot of options.

[71VDUB]

Correct me if I'm wrong but dont both the front and back have torsion bars and with adjusters all they do is twist the torsion. Why couldn't I twist the torsion bars in the front like I did in the back to level the car. Without adjusters.

[JDII]

Correct me if I'm wrong but dont both the front and back have torsion bars and with adjusters all they do is twist the torsion. Why couldn't I twist the torsion bars in the front like I did in the back to level the car. Without adjusters.

the front are flat torsion bars and they are center located with an alignment block in the center of the tubes and a dimple and set screw on the arms. the adjust make the alignment block twist either way to raise or lower the car. Back before adjusters folks would cut the center section of the beam twist it to desired height and reweld. Adjusters are easier.

the rear has round torsion bars with teeth on each end, hence lowering by removing and adjusting the rear spring plates two outer teeth in your case. You can alsopull the rear torsion bars out slightly and adj inner teeth wiitch adjusts it in smaller increments I belive.

[71VDUB]

Oh ok that clarifys things. Thank you. So when I get the spindles I'll adjust the rear to the front. Thanks everyone!

[SidVicious]

You can also pull the rear torsion bars out slightly and adj inner teeth wiitch adjusts it in smaller increments I belive.

Yup. There's a chart floating that someone will post. The outters have fewer, bigger teeth. The inners have more, smaller teeth. People will often adjust clicks outter and one back the other way inner to get a desired level. There are tons of different combinations to get the back at just the right level for you.

There are other ways of dropping the back as well, like drop plates or raising the transmission itself, but re-indexing the torsions is free and relatively easy. Just don't lose track of how many 'clicks' you've moved it.

I also suggest getting the front where you want it, then noodling with the rear to match.

I have a 5.5" narrowed beam & drop spindles in the front with 195/50/15 tires on 5" wide rims, with wheel adapters. I don't rub on anything anywhere unless I have my fat-ass buddy in the car with me, then the right front tire rubs on the fender lip.

My car is down just one click in the rear with 195/65/15 tires on 7" wide wheels. Nothing rubs back there, either.

[LooseNuts]

Lowered my 71 2 outer clicks in the rear and have 2.5 drop spindles coming. I'm running chrome smoothies(they came on the car). The local tire shop recommended 175/55/15 or 195/55/15s on the rear. They seem a little wide. What do you guys think? I'm afraid that on the front I will need a different size also. Any help is appreciated.

Everyone has already said the adjust the back. That said you will end up with just 1 click out back with only D/S up front

So to the tire size.

Stock 165/15 in back and if only doing drop spindles up front go with 145/15..

[71VDUB]

If I wanted to go lower in front what would my best option. Buying a narrowed beam or doing it my self. The only thing I'm not sure about would be Cutting the torsion bars to length and drilling the ends. If I bought an already narrowed front beam would I have the option of buying narrowed bars or would I have to cut my old ones?

Also could I run wide five drums on my 71 or would it have be wheels adapters?

[SidVicious]

I would buy one if you haven't done it before. Most will come with narrowed torsion leaves and you can usually get narrowed tie rods from the same guy you get the beam from. The drums fit differently, so if you want wide 5 wheels, you'll have to find out how to make them fit. I don't know off the top of my head... sorry...

[LooseNuts]

71.

I would buy a narrowed beam in lieu of doing it yourself for the first time.

All my narrowed beams come with narrowed spring pack and narrowed tierods. $225 + shipping + your core
This it what your $225 gets. Minuses tierod ends. Customer paid extra for them.



As for changing to wide five.

For the front since your a 72 bug you need 63 drums and 63 prack pads and possibly the spring retainer clip that hold the brake pads in plase.

For the back you need same thing with the axle nut spacer.

http://www.socalautoparts.com/afterm...r-p-13039.html

[SidVicious]

That's a REALLY good deal. I didn't know you sold them, LooseNuts.

[LooseNuts]

That's a REALLY good deal. I didn't know you sold them, LooseNuts.

I do at times yes.


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