265/70/17 Rubbing with 2" lift

As the title states, I have 265/70/17 General Grabber AT2 tires on the Ironman4x4 2' lift kit. The rubbing is not so bad that I feel it in the steering wheel or at all while I'm driving; however, I can see the damage when I look at the suspension. I've had the suspension and tires on for just under 10k mi. now. Here are some pictures.

First, the Upper Control Arm on the driver side:


As you can see, it has rubbed the paint off the UCA.

Second is the rear of the Lower Control Arm on the passenger side:


I read all about people who put 265/70/17 tires on non-lifted trucks and don't have any rubbing issues. I do have an alignment package at NTB and have had it aligned about 4 times in the last year. The alignment numbers, even with the lift, are all withing spec. I can scan and post the last results if anyone cares to see.

I guess my question is, what can I do to remedy this? Is there anything that I can do without adding or replacing parts? i.e. anything I can have the alignment shop do to correct this?

I've thought about wheel spacers, new UCAs, etc., but I'd prefer not to go that route if at all possible.

Any advice you can provide is appreciated.

 

Stock wheels? Wheel spacers can fix that issue or just don't fully lock your wheels when you turn.

 

Are you running factory wheels? You may need some spacers. Your back spacing may not be enough.

 

I had no problem running 265/70/17 MT's at stock height and lifted on my stock Sport alloys

What are your alignment numbers ?

 

The Great and Powerful OZ!!!

Somehow I thought someone would ask, especially since that seems to be your first question when talking about suspension after lift stuff.

Here is the most recent:


The numbers were so far off initially because I had the "clunk" that a lot of people talk about after lifting. I finally figured out that the lower control arms weren't torqued all the way down to spec (155 lbs./ft.). I loosened them so that they could come to rest wherever they should while on the vehicles own weight and then tightened them to spec. I took it up for an alignment immediately afterwards.

On the bright side, I no longer have the clunk. So you might recommend checking that next time you read about someone with the clunk.

 

Still didn't answer if you have stock wheels or not.

 

Good call , I think I combined the first and second posts in my mind and assumed he was on stock alloys

 

Yes. On stock 17" Sport rims.

 

IMO. just from the rub marks, I would say you need some wheel spacers, or different wheels.

 

I'd likely get new tires before I got new wheels. The ones that are on it are fairly heavy (IMO) and hurt my gas mileage more than I thought they would when I put them on. I'd prefer not to put on spacers, but I suppose that is an option if I found a good enough deal. However, that just seems like putting in a temporary solution. I know lots of people do that successfully, but my fear is that would cause rubbing somewhere else.

I still haven't figured out why I'm rubbing and so many other people aren't. Again, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of people on here who use the same tire size on stock rims without rubbing issues. The small lift seems like it should increase that clearance too. I've even confirmed it with other members who are using the same tire in the same size (just no lift).

Any other thoughts/suggestions?

 

Most people swap their wheels when they do a lift. If you don't want different wheels with different back spacing, you are gambling that it won't rub. If you swap your wheels / use 1.25" spacers it likely won't rub. It's rubbing now because you pushed the UCA/LCA down and towards the frame and to compensate you need to push the wheel out some, ie; spacers/different wheels. You could remove the lift and won't rub too

 

So then by that logic, I could go with the LR UCA and that might correct the issue?

 

I think Large and Holyfield were saying you should try spacers or different wheels. Based on the info I think I agree.

 

I run 275/70/17 on stock wheels and don't rub

 

So wider and with a taller lift.

At least I think the lift is taller. I'm sitting at almost exactly 2". You're closer to 3" right? Do you have aftermarket UCAs though?

In the assumption that you don't have UCAs (I didn't see that listed in your mods), going by what Large said, your lift would push the UCAs down further and therefore reduce the clearance by that much more. That, coupled with the fact that your tires are wider, would seem like you would rub even when driving in a straight line.

I got that; however, I don't think I want to go that route.

As stated before, there are LOTS of people on here that do not have rubbing issues with this size tire...lifted or not.

 

I have the LR UCA's with Cooper STT 265/70's on the 16" stock wheel and 5100's with eibachs and STILL rub in these locations. Lower control arm rubbing is only happening when you are at or near full lock (As CowboyTaco said, the lift is bringing your wheel closer to the center of the truck). The UCA rubbing is happening when the suspension is compressed. Keep in mind though, that this is minor rubbing and really is not going to cause any major damage in the long run, unless you drive at full lock a lot.

 

My lift is about 2 1/2" up front and yes I have LR UCA's but I don't think that is a factor for clearance between the tire sidewall and the UCA

 

Well that just muddies the water...

I know there is some variation in the size of tires in the same size. I know that's a confusing sentence, so I'll elaborate.

According to www.tirerack.com, here are the dimensions of four different P rated tires. Sorry, they didn't have the Coopers listed.

General Grabber AT2 (P265/70R17) - What I have
Section Width: 10.7"
Tread Width: 8.2"
Overall Diameter: 31.7"

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2 (P265/70R17)
Section Width: 10.7"
Tread Width: 7.8"
Overall Diameter: 31.7"

Firestone Destination A/T (P265/70R17)
Section Width: 10.7"
Tread Width: 8.1"
Overall Diameter: 31.7"

Yokohama Geolander A/T (P265/70R17)
Section Width: 10.5"
Tread Width: 8.2"
Overall Diameter: 32"

As you can see, they are all very close, but there is some small variation.

I don't think tire size is the culprit, because I've confirmed with other people who have this tire and they don't have the rub issue. On top of that, these tires are no wider than the factory ones. This is the reason I didn't go with 275 or 285s, although I thought very hard about getting the 275s.

 

Also, Shockinyall's on 16" rims, which should equate to about the same thing as the 265/65/17s.

OZ, I thought the LR UCAs didn't come out as far as the OEM ones?

 

Cooper STT (265/75R16)
Section Width: 10.1"
Tread Width: 8.27"
Overall Diameter: 32.01"

Remember that the section width does not count any lugs on the sides of the tire. So even though the section width can be almost exactly the same, different lugs on the outside may cause issues. In my case, my section width is less than all the tires you posted, but the lugs on the STT still stick out enough to rub.

My suggestions, check your tire pressure and make sure you are running the recommended. I rub more the second I decrease pressure. Also check your clearance with the truck parked level.

A key question that wasn't asked, is this happening on both sides?