56 Buick Wheel Tire/Lowering Question

[Metty]

hey, i have 28inch tall WWW tires, but how low can i lower the suspension without rubbing, cuz its a pretty tall tire...


Also, what bolt pattern will fit on the rotor for these bad boys, i need to get some steel rims for it, and i jsut dont know what the pattern is...

5 x 5 1/2?


you tell me

[WQ59B]

28" is not a 'tall' tire for a '56, tho it may be if you 'slam' your car. How much lower than factory do you want to go? More importantly; how much lower than it is right now do you want to go?
There are specific methods of measuring the wheelwell capacity which will tell you what you can fit tire-wise and how much more room you have.
Not personally familiar with kingpin suspension lowering: what's your plan of attack for lowering it- isn't the common method centered around the springs only?

You wrote "rotor" (as opposed to drum)- have you been messing around with Buick Engineering product? ;)
There is also a specific (and easy) method to measure bolt circle- you can find diagrams online and answer that one for yourself.

[Metty]

hahah i meant drum....i had a brain fart and couldnt think of the right word. i was thinking of lowering jsut enough so i woudlnt scrape, cuz i do enough of that in the 65, so im thinking 3-4 inches should be descent. i was jsut going to cut the springs cuz im low budget, but i kind of want to keep the original springs, and then if there is an after market set i can buy, great. or even an extra pair. so many questions. thanks for your help

[yonausti]

Metty,
your bolt pattern should be a 5 on 5 for that year

DW

[Metty]

Metty,
your bolt pattern should be a 5 on 5 for that year

DW


thanks brother. junk yard here i come

[ihaveten]

I have a 54' and the bolt pattern is 5 on 5. Also, Jamco has alot of aftermarket spring lowering set-ups. Not sure if they have anythig for your year. Fatman Fabrication has a lowered spindle taht will take it down 2 1/2 to 3 inches.

The old skoolers I have talked to say they used to just put weight on the car and heat the springs with a heating torch. This changes the spring rate and I'm not sure how safe it is compared to the technologies available nowadays.

Good luck!

I'm putting air ride on mine! If your interested in that check webrodder.com and type buick into the search. A 51' is modified for air ride. Similar set up to your car.


:beer

[DualQuad55]

The bolt pattern is 5 on 5" but the center hole is much bigger than most other cars and trucks. You can have them opened up to fit (which I did with my chrome reversed wheels) but only Buick wheels will clear from the factory.
If your '56 has bolts instead of lugnuts, the drums will have 'locating pins' which require a hole in the wheel between two lug nut/bolt holes.
I had two sets of wheels that I literally could not give away for years, don't ask about thier fate...

As far as lowering the car, the rear is pretty easy-order springs with a lowered installed height but the same rate and coil shape. You may have to 'work' with the rear shocks if they are knee action style.
You need to be a little careful with the front, when you lower a car that much bu cutting the springs, the camber changes drastically and can cause severe tire wear, pulling etc...
I think lowering spindles are availible through FatMan or someone.
I don't think the tires will rub if you use a stock offset wheel. If you run a reversed style wheel you may have trouble. How often do you really turn lock to lock?
I lowered my wifes 54 Chevy about 2" in the front with 28" tires and reversed wheels, not even close to rubbing.

[Metty]

ya i see what you are saying. im going to try and do a budget car, and spidles get pricy, so i was jsut gonan cut. everyone says that heating coils, they'll snap over time where they are heated, which makes sense. getting rid of the ware on the tire, wouldnt i jsut get it aligned??? or is it different. i didnt even check the A arms or control arms on it...