Tires rubbing cab mounts after UCA

Hey all,
I need a little help with my alignment spec.
I just installed the JBA UCAs. I got it aligned to:

toe 0
caster 3.5
camber 0

Now, going over large bumps, something that would make the truck dip Im getting tire rub on the mounts. Its super loud. At first I thought something was up with my suspension. After looking around the truck for issues I noticed the tires are awfully close to the mounts when turning.

My tires are 265/75 16 on factory OR wheels

What alignment specs do I need to bring the wheel slightly forward?

Thanks!

 

How lifted are you?

 

With 265/75r16? Subbing out of curiosity, those shouldn't rub.

 

Not exactly sure.
I have 5100s with OME 887. I have some weight added to the truck. Hidden winch, full steel skids and sliders.

 

Huh, that’s really odd. Are you certain it’s the tires rubbing the cab mount? I don’t see why this would be happening with the info you’ve given us.

 

You're right, definitely odd for my setup. I could be wrong, sure. Have a look at these pictures. The tires seem awfully close to rubbing. This is just sitting level in my driveway. Over large bumps or inclines would they rub?

 

I don’t mean to sound like an ass but is it possible you installed the UCA’s on the wrong sides ?

 

Measure from the center of your hubs to the fender, front and back. stock is around 21 inches front, 22 rear.

 

Do you have wheel spacers?

 

Front is 21 1/4. Can the winch, skids and sliders really bring me back to stock height on the 887s? Maybe its time for new springs. I didnt measure the rear, ny bed is fully loaded with tools. It wouldnt be accurate.

I have the spidertrax 1"

You had me double checking! They are installed correctly.

 

Yes those springs can sag out with that added weight. The 1” spacers also make it worse for you. When did you have it aligned? That doesn’t look like how +3* should look.

 

Any chance you could get a pic of the rear alignment cams? The newer JBAs add over 2 degrees of caster. If your lift is under 2", 3.5 degrees may not be enough, to get the tires forward in the wheel well away from cab mount.

 

Last week. Here’s a picture.

 

Yeah you are pretty much at stock height. At least now you know what your working with.

 

That makes sense. I’ll get a picture of the cams. I’m thinking I might change to the 886s to get my lift back.

 

I had a similar issue after my post lift alignment with the JBAs. Running 265/70/17s stock, no rubbing whatsoever. Installed 6112s on third notch along with JBAs, gained around 2" and had aligned to 3.5 degrees of caster. Was instantly rubbing on mud flaps with the slightest turn of wheel. Went to 3.9 degrees of caster, and cured my rubbing. JBAs effectively added enough caster that at 3.5 degrees. My rear alignment cams were turned all the way in, moving wheel back in wheel well.

 

I went to alignment shop after alignment shop. I have jba high castor UCAs and had exact same problem but much worse than that. Go find an alignment shop and tell them you need a custom alignment if they’d be willing to do it. Tell them the castor needs to be set to 4+ degrees first then finish setting everything else. It’ll work trust me I experienced exact same thing. Your truck is capable of over 4 degrees castor just gotta find someone who’s willing to do it. Most shops will advise against it so it’ll be tough unless they’re experienced with off road vehicles.

Another option would be lift front end of your truck and you adjust the castor yourself then take it in for alignment and tell them to not adjust the castor to less than what you have it set at right now. I have zero rub now and at full lock if I hit a bump it just barely rubs the mount but only certain times and as said it just barely rubs.

Just for knowledge I have Dobinsons upgraded suspension for my lift and it’s about 2-1/2”. My wheels are 17x9 -12 offset with 285/70/17 Patagonia mt which measure 32.8”.

 

My buddy has the same issue with similar lift, similar tire, but instead with Camburg UCAs.

I'd be curious about how your cam bolts are positioned. My guess is they are not set correctly. Your alignment may look nice on paper but it doesnt tell the whole story.

Caster number isn't as meaningful as peaople think, they need to rotate the cams so your wheel and CV's shift as far forward as possible first then work backwards

 

Ok guys. This all great information. Thanks!
It’s clear now that I need to find a decent alignment shop. I lived at the cams. They don’t look right. I’ll get pics up after work.

As far as the list.. Do in switch to to 886s now? I use this truck off-road. No much rock crawling. Fire roads mostly. There are the occasional rocks to navigate though. The extra clearance would be good. I don’t want to be rubbing driving over things. Are 886s enough for me?

 

The problem is that your UCAs gain caster by moving the tire further back into the wheel well. Caster is angle created by the difference between your upper and lower ball joint. To get more positive caster you would either push the lower ball joint forward or pull the top back toward the cab. Since you are gaining caster with your uppers, they bring your back. The problem is that with non adjustable UCAs your adjustment is only on the lower arms. Whatever you get with your upper arms is what you have and you are adjusting with the lowers.

This is where the SPC adjustables excel. You can maximize the lower control arms by pushing as far forward as possible and then bring back your caster with the uppers to keep it from rubbing.