Can an alignment fix my rubbing issue?

I recently did a lot of work on my 2023 Tacoma and am experiencing some rubbing in the front. This rubbing is only noticeable when I come out of higher parking lots with the wheels turned.

- Tires: 285/70/17 BFG KO3
- Wheels: Method 701 (0 offset)
- BMC + pinch welds

My understanding is that if I can move the tire back toward the body mount I can possibly avoid having to do something like a viper cut. But I'm trying to determine if this is possible given my alignment results. The caster is already below the specified range and I believe I would need it to be even lower to have more room in the front. It seems I have some room at the body mount.

How common is it that a viper cut is necessary with 33s and a BMC? Has anyone been able to completely avoid rubbing with BFG KO3s (KO2s similar enough?) and zero offset wheels with only a BMC?

I appreciate any guidance here. Thank you!

 

Only one way to truly find out! You might just change where it rubs tho.

 

Careful application of a heat gun should fix that.

 

Heat gun as stated and/or just get your small cutting tool of choice and do some trimming… or lastly just let it be and it will continue to self clear lol you don’t need to viper cut anything with a ~33in tire

 

Your caster numbers are off. Do you have a lift? If so, you could lower your ride height a bit (cheap) or install some high caster or adjustable UCAs (expensive). Both will give you more room to get your alignment into spec and move the wheel forwards/backwards to help fit the tires.

Is your steering twitchy like the truck doesn’t want to drive straight down the road? Does it pull to one side or the other if you let go of the steering wheel on a flat road?

Or, as others have said, you could make a small modification to your fender liner.

Another option is to take it to a different alignment shop, especially one well versed in modified automobiles (eg a 4x4 shop).

 

When you say "caster is off" do you mean they are outside spec? Yes, I noticed that. But I also am confused because they are too low and I would need them to be even lower to move the wheel backwards.

To note, I did have a 4x4 shop do this alignment.

 

I would be completely fine just using a heat gun but the area of the plastic where the tire is rubbing is attached to the body. Here is a photo from another angle that makes it more clear. So I would need to cut the body it would seem.

 

can you relocate the hole and push fender in then rebolt it?

 

It's definitely an option. I'd really like to know first though if it is even possible to fix this issue with just modifying the caster. Is it common that the caster would be so low out of specification to be able to not rub in the front?

 

If you go any lower caster than that, you are going to create steering issues like wandering and loss of return to center steering. It is odd that it rubs in front and not at the cabin side like most others get, but your BMC fixed that. Like others have suggested, a heat gun may fix the issue. Maybe more positive offset rims like +25 or so might do it too.

 

No one can answer that question without studying your truck in person. A person would at the very least know the position of your alignment tabs on the LCA.

 

You could but the lower the caster the harder the truck will be to keep straight and it will be hard to control on fast curves on the highway. IMO the caster is already too low. I would just trim the the fender liner. I just cut them when I do it. The bottom lip on the bumper you can trim back to the head of the bolt. Looks like you need max 1/4" so you don't have to go crazy.

 

Full viper cut not needed, only detaching the front of fender liner from the front of fender. The liner front has space behind it. Push the liner up in there and secure it back. Cut the leading edge of fender back as needed to clear. A dremel cutting wheel or oscillating multitool works.
My job is far from perfect but this provided plenty of front clearance.

 

You should not have any issue with your current set up. Caster number are way off, and not even in factory specs. If you're lifted you should be getting as much caster as possible when getting aligned

 

I am lifted 2”. I know my caster numbers are too low but if I get a new alignment that increases caster then I’ll rub even worse in the front since I’ll be moving the tire forward. Did I misunderstand this?

 

I think in theory this would be true, but based off my own set up and set up of many others you will be fine. I'm running the same tire size, but with a -10 offset, around 2.5" lift, my caster is around 3.4 and I have no rubbing issues.

 

OP, it is frustrating but if you want an opinion from one of the techs on here as to whether further alignment adjustment can help any, take pics of your front and back cam tabs, on both sides, so their setting can be compared to the report findings, and to see how much adjustment remains in each direction.

 

I'm running 265/70/17 KO2'S on a -12 offset 17x9 wheel. I had issues where you are and just used a heat gun and a rubber mallet. Sometimes the best solution is the easiest. Adjustable UCA's are a good option. I had them on mine without issue until a state inspector thought they needed to be replaced. I went back to OEM because I had them and had a rub as you described. Heat gun solved it and saved me some $$.

 

Back passenger
Front passenger
Back driver
Front driver

 

When I had 33's w/ a wheel w/ a 4.51" BS and 0 mm offset, I had slight rubbing, very subtle at full lock and articulation - not enough to warrant cutting anything.

I didn't do anything drastic until going to 35s.

My question is, how bad is the rubbing? If it is not that bad, then it is not worth cutting anything. But if it is bothersome, fix the caster issue and be prepared to trim some. All part of going w/ bigger tires.