Rear Suspension Question - Rubbing and Camber/Toe adjustments

[mshandor]

Hey Z Car Experts,

I have a few questions regarding my early 74 260Z suspension.

1. I am running 235/60R14's on 82 ZX 6-spoke wheels on my car. When I have a passenger inside, the passenger rear tire rubs on big dips in the road. This does not occur unless I have an extra 150lbs in the car. The driver side never rubs the fender driven solo or with passenger. I realize now (after buying the 235's) that I should have bought thinner tires. I replaced the tires with the same size that were on these 6 spoke wheels, but I think ZX's may have had more room for a wider tire than a standard Z.

The suspension is stock on my car, no lowering springs have been installed.

I have read articles on rolling the fender with a Eastman tool (http://www.eastwood.com/ew-fender-roller-w-instruction.html). Has anyone used a device like this? Better yet, does anyone know of another way of gaining a little more clearance for these wide 235mm tires? A local guy said install a spacer under the coil spring to push it up a little. Is that an viable solution?

2. Also, I just had an alignment performed on the car and this passenger rear location is off for camber and toe. This rear side of the car had been hit before I bought the car but not bad. The driver side rear location is good for camber and toe. The shop where I had the alignment done, said they were unaware of anyway to do camber and toe adjustments on the rear of my Z.

The passenger rear is -1.3deg camber and +0.80deg of toe. Is that bad? I have found a camber adjustment kit sold through Motorsport for $119.95 (#23-417) and a wrench to make adjustments. Has anyone purchased this item?

Finally, I had the alignment done because I am experiencing some wobble at 55 to 60mph. The alignment didn't seem to help this issue, it just moved the vibration from 65 to 70mph to a slower speed. I can accelerate through it and I wouldn't call it a "death wobble" like some have labeled it. However, could this rear camber/toe issue (not resolved yet) be causing this highway wobble?

Thoughts/suggestions?

[beermanpete]

The Z has no adjustments for the alignment other than toe for the front. The hit to your car must have bent something related to the rear wheel alignment. Perhaps whatever has been bent could be straightened. Ask the mechanic at your alignment shop.

I have seen eccentric bushings for the rear lower control arm. This might provide enough range of adjustment to solve your problem at a reasonable cost.