1957 president classic tire size

[StudeDave57]

I can't believe I didn't post more then I did on this.
Unfortunatly, I can help very little at this point for two reasons~

• My cars, paperwork, and parts are currently over 1300 miles away from me.
• Lately, every time I try to help- I somehow end up being the bad guy.

What I can tell you is this- in the pictures above- 'Baby' is sitting on 215/70R15s that are mounted on wheels that I *think* are six inches wide. 'Betsy' is sitting on 205/75R15s mounted on stock StudeWheels. They may or may not be 5 inchers from a Golden Hawk. You are on your own as to the research you need to do to figure out the backspacing, but Jim gives you a good place to start. I don't know if his numbers are for his C/K bodies, but they sound about right. One odd thing about the wheel/tire combos I mentioned above is that the set on Baby rub one of the rear quarter panels when installed on Betsy. I believe this may be due to some long ago accident damage, but I also know that the right rear quarter seems to be a problem on other Studes as well.

Once again I HIGHLY recommend that you start by replacing the front springs. The folks Dad mentioned above sold me the set I put on Baby, and they were EXACTLY what I ordered. BTW- now might be a good time to mention that what I ordered dropped her nose about 3/4 of an inch from stock height. When the rest of what I plan for her comes together- she'll be just about one inch lower.




StudeDave '57

[conrad01]

I hope the springs do the main portion of the fix.. I just wish there was a place in Canada to get the springs made . The shipping will probably be the more than the springs them selves and the dollar has fallen a bit... But on the bright side my 25x34 garage is done and all I have to do now is bolt my new hoist to the concrete . Once spring comes the hot rod 53 gmc pickup goes to the farm for storage and the 57 prezz comes back.

[conrad01]

I cant get springs in Canada.. I ordered new ones from Studebaker parts .com. luckily I have a father in law that has a house in Yuma and is there .. So I should have the springs , king pin bushing kit, and the center steering bearing kit in the next 2 weeks.

[conrad01]

OK I now have the car back in my garage. I put the new tires on the OEM rims to find they rub on the grease nip for the camber adjuster on the passenger side. I have to find some different rims with different back spacing.. I tries to adjust the camber but cant move it enough . I have springs, center link rebuild kit and king pin kit in a box. I will put them in and see how it goes. There is a lot of mopar cars in this town so I should find some different rims.

[StudeRich]

The extreme Negative Camber is caused by badly worn Upper, Inner "A" Arm Bushings. The Lowers will be due also. These are Rubber and Steel and do not have a long Life.

Are you sure those original OEM wheels actually WERE the 5 on 4 1/2", 5 Inch X15 Wheels?
A '57 Wheel would have the Three rectangular slots for the small Hub Cap clips for mounting same.

Also be aware that the LEFT Drums all SHOULD have Left Hand Thread Wheel Studs, if you do not stand over the Tire Store Tech. and remind Him or Her, you will get some broken Studs.

I think one Member here had the order writer write left Hand Studs on the work order and or marked the wheel with same, and STILL got broken Studs!

UPDATE: corrected "Outer" to "Inner" and Positive to Negative. I don't know, maybe I was standing on my head when I wrote that!

[conrad01]

Do you mean the inner a arm bushings. Like the ones closest to the frame?

The wheels are original.. The tire caliper I used said 5 to just under 5.5 wide

I know about the studs. I think i'm going to change them all so they are the same.. The nuts screwed a lot of the threads lately ..

[fargoguy]

Conrad- Just saw this thread- where in Saskatchewan are you? I'm in Prince Albert, have recently acquired a 56 President Sedan- I know where there are a couple of parts cars as well. Good to know your car is on the road! Evan

[Buzzard]

Hey there Conrad, I'm in BC. I have a '57 Clipper SW and I run 225/75R15 on it and they fit very well.
Cheers, Bill

[StudeRich]

Do you mean the inner a arm bushings. Like the ones closest to the frame?

The wheels are original.. The tire caliper I used said 5 to just under 5.5 wide

I know about the studs. I think i'm going to change them all so they are the same.. The nuts screwed a lot of the threads lately ..

Yes the INNER "A" Arm Bushings and collapsed Springs will cause the excess (Positive) Negative Camber, thanks I corrected that.

Be very careful removing those stripped Left Hand Studs, if you "Drive" them or Press them out, you will ruin the Drums by flaring and fatiguing the metal around the holes. You have to CUT the swages off on 3 sides of each Stud before removing them with a Swage removal Tool.

You might try running a Die over the threads and just dealing with the unusual today, Left Hand Threads rather than going through all the work and risk required to do this right.

The reason I asked that you be SURE those are original Wheels is that P215's on stock wheels should NOT hit anything if the Car is "Right".

UPDATE: Of course that is correct Frank, I can't seem to get anything right today, always backwards, is my head on backwards or what?

[41 Frank]

The worn inner suspension bushing problem discussed above causes excessive NEGATIVE camber..... Negative camber, top of wheel leans inward........ Positive camber, top of wheel leans outward.

[57pack]

I had the same issue with both of my cars. Just finished replacing the coil springs, and all the bushings on in the Packard wagon. Now need to do the same on my Wagonaire. Good winter project. Do it once, do it right.

[conrad01]

I am positive the rims are original.. They have a 4'' back spacing. the 215 75 15 tires touch.. There is no way I can go lock to lock without destroying a tire..A newer 14'' rim I found had 3.5'' back space and I hope the 15'' rim is the same.. The studs will be fine for now but they keep tearing burs off the threads and they get bunged up in the nuts.. I have found all 4 shocks and all new front bushings.. I figured if im taking it apart it all gets replaced.. The last thing will be to tighten the steering box and get the play out of the steering wheel. Then she will be tight

[conrad01]

hey Fargoguy im in macklin sask.. I just went to my parents farm north of nipawin to pick up my car this last weekend and parked the truck for a while..

[conrad01]

Spent the weekend working on the car. The front end got ripped apart with the suspension bushings , king pins, springs and shocks got replaced. Then put new bearings in the center steering link and replaced the rear shocks. Tightened the steering box and kinda set the toe in. Steering wheel is a bit out but good enough for now. The ride height is better and rides way better..

[StudeRich]

Nice looking President Classic, the Springs did the trick, now the ride is fixed and proper wheel alignment can be accomplished.