VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Rear whel not centered in wheel opening.

A gent in South Africa has a 1948 Fleetline. His rear end is not centered in the rear wheel opening.
Vehicle has the original driveline, so he believes. 216, 3 speed, with torque tube rear end.
Is it characteristic for the rear end to be forward of the centerline, in the wheel opening?
Looks to be 2 plus inches forward of dead center in wheel opening.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/img_3710-jpg.2743233/

The wheel location shown in the picture doesn't actually look bad.

Here's a link to the GM Resto-Pak specs for the '48.....plenty of dimensions for him to check. Scroll down to about page 15 thru 17.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...mation-kits/Chevrolet/1948-Chevrolet.pdf

Thanks Ken.

It has been said that ALL Chevys from '47 and '48 have the rear wheels in that forward position.

Just appears odd, but my concentration has been in the '49 to '54 area.

Thanks again.

It looks like the car is sitting lower than stock but looks pretty good if a stock rear end. If he changed to an open drive rear end and used conventional spring pads/perches then the spring pads would have to have holes drilled 1-5/8 to 1-3/4 inches farther forward of the axle center line to move the rear end back and center the rear wheels in the opening.

You and Ken are indicating that the positioning looks OK, but do you agree it is not centered in the wheel opening?

If this is the way Chevy manufactured them, so be it.

2 guys are saying OK, I trust your opinions, since I'm not dialed in on the ways of a '48.

That is correct. The rear wheels are forward of the center line.
The rear wheels in the picture looks like it should.

Thank you.

That's the way mine is...Never gave it much thought as it's pretty much stock...They did change out the rear end for a lower gear ratio, but that wouldn't make any difference as the torque tube is still in place...

ruscar said it very well.

That's the way it is. Weird, but true.

Owing to the fact that the torque tube may slide along the forward collar (drive shaft through rear yoke, etc), isn't it possible to get the differential housing forward of the spring holes and dowels?

Surely, it would be up where there would be a gap between the spring and the housing, but still possible.

I do, however, think the subject rear end looks about right as far as centered goes.

Charlie

Looked at my coupe today and the front is about even with the tire and the rear has about an inch gap. Never looked at it this close before.

Keith,

Do you have a good "side view" of your car ?

In your scenario, with the spring perch holes NOT aligned with the spring locator pins, what's going to prevent the rear end housing from "walking" ?

There are 2 side view pics in the Fleetline Gallery posts( Page 4) dated 9/29 & 9/30

They can be found here:
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/318390/4

I'll try to get one tomorrow as it is time to give her an excersise.

OK, thanks.

All back together, after the earthquake?

Good point.

Just the tightness of the u-bolts and nothing else. It probably will ""dog-wallk" after it hits the first pothole.

Charlie

Thanks, Ken did not understand the meaning of the Fleetline Gallery posts. Still curious as to the thinking to move the axle forward.

The house is back in shape. I have only done about a quarter in the garage. Got it where I can get about anything I need. Still have nuts, bolts nails and screws all over the floor. Plan on using a good magnet to pick them up and then they go into the recycling bin. It isn't worth the time to sort them. This will be my winter project unless my 48 needs something.

Good to hear YOU are ok.
The rest will take care of itself. Hang tight!!