Why are my tires rubbing?

Just installed Bilstein 6112 (#10/8) 5160’s and JBA UCA’s. Tires are 265/70/17. Also have 1.5” spacers.

When I first got the tires, I had some slight rubbing in reverse at a full turn with OEM suspension which seemed to go away normal tire wear except for certain situations. After the upgrade and an alignment, I’m rubbing even worse in both forward and reverse at half/full turn.

What’s my problem?

 

Spacer. Change in scrub radius created the rub

 

I need a spacer? Not sure what scrub radius is.

How do people fit bigger tires (I.e. 33’s)? With spacer lifts?

 

By spacers do you mean wheel, as in poke?

Where is the rub occurring?

A common problem is lousy wheel specs. What are yours?

Another common problem is lousy alignment numbers. Especially caster. Care to post your alignment sheet?

 

yes, wheel spacers.

rubs fender liner in inside rear corner on each side.

posted a pic of the wheels. Newer style Sport wheels OEM. Cooper Rugged Treks

garage didn’t give me an alignment sheet

 

The JBAs are high caster. I don't know what that angle increase is, however that will pull your wheel backward some without a corresponding LCA forward adjustment.

Take a pic of your rear alignment cam. It should be move wheel outward/forward.

If the computer simply senses caster within manf stock spec and no further adjustment is made, then the cam may not get increased further for clearance.

 

Take your spacers off and see what happens?

 

Maybe, assuming he has the High Caster version. They sell both.

 

No alignment sheet? Post pics of your alignment cam positions. Particularity the rear cams.

 

The shop did the alignment to spec, and not to max out the caster adjustment on the front lower control arms. You need to adjust the rear caster bolts for the front LCA's so each bolt is pushed as far outward as possible, and the front caster bolts for the front LCA's as far inward as possible. This will bring the front wheels forward in the wheel well and reduce/eliminate the rubbing. If it still rubs after the adjustment, then it's time to start trimming the fender liners and mudflaps. You shouldn't need to though, just get the front caster maxed out and the toe set to zero once that's done.

 

Look up Tinkerer's Adventure on YouTube. He’s got videos that explain all this.

Like others have said, you need to increase caster and/or ditch the wheel spacers.

 

If you did not ask the shop for increased caster, like 4+ degrees, they will have set it to spec which will not work for your setup. Note that some shops will not set out of spec... Assuming you have the High Caster JBAs it should be very easy to get over 4 degrees caster. Ask for 4.5 deg.

 

When the wheels are facing straight forward the spacer pushes the wheel outside the fender

When the wheels are fully turned the spacer pushes the wheel toward the mudflap and cab mount

Take the spacers off and see if it helps

 

OP has OEM Sport wheels, which are +30mm offset.
A 1.5" spacer is ~38mm

30 - 38 = -8mm offset.

While 1" (25mm) or 1.25" (32mm) spacers probably would've been more ideal (putting the wheel at +5, and -2mm offset respectively), I still think a proper (higher-caster) alignment should be all that is needed here to stop it from rubbing.
Like has been said, you just need to ask for the most-possible caster (or find another alignment place if needed... One that regularly deals with offroad vehicles and modified suspensions would give you your best chance of them getting it right).

 

I don't disagree, but I'm wondering why run the spacers? Only reasons for that in my opinion are:

a) prevent rubbing on the upper control arm, doubt these tires are wide enough for that to be a problem though
b) looks cool

If it's just for looks then I don't think it's worth the headache, just take them off. Plus that's free vs paying a shop to do another alignment. Might still need more caster though, won't know until the spacers are removed.

 

Some probably believe the wider stance also improves vehicle stability (which they wouldn't be wrong about). But I agree they shouldn't actually be needed here in this particular case.

 

Something else that could be going on is some aftermarket upper control arms advertise that they have higher caster. Which is true but increasing the caster on the upper control arm actually brings the tire closer to the firewall. Ironically the rubbing might be better with stock upper control arms.

 

265/70/17 fit a stock truck. The spacers are most likely the problem. You certainly don't need them.