|
|
|
Title: Scrub Line
Question: In discussions with other street rod enthusiast, I’ve often heard of the term “scrub line.” What is the definition of this term and how does it apply to building a street rod.
Answer: When building a street rod, many enthusiast like to get the vehicle as low to the street as possible. This is mostly to make the vehicle look more attractive, especially during street rod shows. However, if the vehicle is too low while driving, the lower components may hit the road. This may occur in the
event of a tire blowout or uneven road conditions.
Question: In discussions with other street rod enthusiast, I’ve often heard of the term “scrub line.” What is the definition of this term and how does it apply to building a street rod.
Answer: When building a street rod, many enthusiast like to get the vehicle as low to the street as possible. This is mostly to make the vehicle look more attractive, especially during street rod shows. However, if the vehicle is too low while driving, the lower components may hit the road. This may occur in the
event of a tire blowout or uneven road conditions.
The scrub line is often used to show the lowest position for any component on a street rod. The scrub line is an imaginary line drawn on a street rod to make sure no component is assembled or placed below this line. Refer to the drawing to the left. This drawing is looking at the street rod from the side view. The tires, rims, and frame are shown for reference. The red lines show the scrub line. It is defined as an imaginary line drawn from the lowest point of the rim diameter of one wheel to the bottom of the tire on the opposite wheel. In theory, if one of the tires were to get flat or get a blowout, the frame will drop only to the point of the rim diameter.
No components such as the oil pan, transmission, differential, brake booster, power steering rack and pinion assembly, etc. should be installed below this line. If so, there would be a high possibility that the component(s) below the scrub line would be damaged by hitting the road. In fact, as part of the street rod safety inspection procedure, it says that: There should be no steering, suspension or chassis components below the scrub line.
No components such as the oil pan, transmission, differential, brake booster, power steering rack and pinion assembly, etc. should be installed below this line. If so, there would be a high possibility that the component(s) below the scrub line would be damaged by hitting the road. In fact, as part of the street rod safety inspection procedure, it says that: There should be no steering, suspension or chassis components below the scrub line.
The photo to the left shows another view of the scrub line looking at the street rod from the front or rear of the vehicle. Again the scrub line is shown from the bottom of the rim on one side to the bottom of the tire on the opposite side. Note the two red lines shown as the scrub lines. Because of differences in tire size, there will be different scrub lines in the front as compared to the rear of the vehicle. Make sure to check both the front and rear scrub lines of the vehicle.
On some street rods, automatic adjusters are used to raise and lower the vehicle. On other street rods, adjustable coil-over-shocks are used. See photo to the left. In this photo of an adjustable coil-over-shock, the level of the vehicle can be adjusted by turning the adjustments on the bottom of the outer coil spring shown by the arrow. A special tool is needed to make the adjustment. It is designed to fit around the black plastic adjusters to facilitate turning them up or down. There are two rings. The bottom one is a locking ring and must be loose so the top ring can be adjusted.
Back to Q and A Segments
Back to Q and A Segments