8inch fat wheel on older de-dion

[TomB]

Hi,

Does anyone know if I will have a problem fitting 8 inch anthracites to the rear of a 1996 de-dion car?  My car has the overslung ARB with the drop links coming down to the de-dion tube.  Will they fit or are they likely to foul the ears or drop links?

Thanks
Tom

 

[Shaun_E]

Wheel will probably foul the de-dion - take an angle grinder to it (the de-dion not the wheel  )

Drop links will need to be reversed. i.e. moved to sit inboard of the ARB. Even then it can only be set on the 2nd softest setting and you may need to grind the end of the nut off. It's all a bit marginal but can be done.

 

[TomB]

Hmm sounds less than ideal. Do you mean the di-dion ear will need to be ground down or the tube?  I might not bother then - ideally Id like 7 inch anthracites but they dont exist. 

[Shaun_E]

It's actually the endplate of the de-dion that needs to be ground - it's obvious when you fit the wheel. I did it years ago when I fitted those wheels to my 1997 car which has the over slung ARB. Its the drop link that's the real issue and it's hard to ensure that it doesn't touch the wheel/tyre in extreme cornering. There is a newer version of the de-Dion which eliminates the issues. Alternatively look at some 3 piece rims such as Image where you can specify the back-depth you require or chat to Simon at Meteor about the wheels he supplies.

[Drumster]

I had the same issue when I fitted 8" anthracites and did exactly as Shaun has recommended. it's quite a common problem and from memory it's only 3-4mm that needs grinding off. My '93 car also had the over slung ARB and didn't have any issue with reversing the drop links, but I eventually ditched the rear ARB anyway.

[TomB]

I've bailed - I can't justify the cash at the moment!