Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found

[HO455]

I solved the same problem on my S10 by using a pair of 3/8" wheel spacers. Over 100k miles without issue. I had them made by a local machine shop with proper hub centering and wheel stud sizing. No generic parts house spacer.

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

No , They are advertised as the only drop spindles that don't increase the width , I'll get some more pictures and get a measurement of the width of the rotors side to side. I'm using stock A arms and 255 x 70 x 15 tires

I am running the exact same setup as Grumpy and just couldn't resist. I am now interested to see his photo and measurements. This is how my lower control arm looks compared to the wheel. 2-1/2" drop spindle, 15x8 rally, 255/70-15 tires. Plenty of room.

Now I am aggravated as I noticed a split in the outer tie rod boot and the one on the passenger side is totally split. WTH? These things aren't a year old.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

I am running the exact same setup as Grumpy and just couldn't resist. I am now interested to see his photo and measurements. This is how my lower control arm looks compared to the wheel. 2-1/2" drop spindle, 15x8 rally, 255/70-15 tires. Plenty of room.

Now I am aggravated as I noticed a split in the outer tie rod boot and the one on the passenger side is totally split. WTH? These things aren't a year old.

Turn the wheel full left and full right , Check clearance again , Sorry , I'm in the middle of hand sanding my firewall .

I hate hand sanding ! For the 3rd time ... rain tomorrow need to prime it again tonite .

[70cst]

Could this part of my problem...

I have a P245/60/15 tire? Is the size a little to big adding to my issues?

I am just trying to look at all possibilities.

Thanks

[SCOTI]

Tire size should be moot.... It's the wheel lip that interferes w/the a-arm gutter.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Tire size should be moot.... It's the wheel lip that interferes w/the a-arm gutter.

True ... I am low on coffee

[gmc684x4]

The reason behind the one drop spindle mentioning does not increase width that is for stock 67 70 drum front brake measurement
71 72 disc is slightly wider so is the rear axle is slightly wider as well

[Grumpy old man]

Here's a pic of mine , ignore the dust everything in the shop is covered in dust.

[70cst]

Ok ... so if I understand it correctly:

I have a 4" BS and if I go with a 3" BS it will pull the tire another inch outwards? Thanks

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Ok ... so if I understand it correctly:

I have a 4" BS and if I go with a 3" BS it will pull the tire another inch outwards? Thanks

Yes. It will move the barrel of the wheel out vs the hub centerline. Doing so widens the track width if not going to a narrower wheel.

The more aggressive you get, the harder it is on wheel bearings as a result from the additional weighted leverage of a steel wheel. Just a maint related item to keep in mind.

Again..... Trimming the rain gutter is very common for the minimal clearance needed. It just needs to be done w/care in mind.

[lil hoodlum]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Ok ... so if I understand it correctly:

I have a 4" BS and if I go with a 3" BS it will pull the tire another inch outwards? Thanks

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems that if you go with less backspace, in this case an inch, wouldn't it bring the face of the hub inwards an inch? So if you wanted more clearance from the back side of the hub, 4.5" backspace would gain you a half an inch clearance?

[lil hoodlum]

Originally Posted by lil hoodlum

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems that if you go with less backspace, in this case an inch, wouldn't it bring the face of the hub inwards an inch? So if you wanted more clearance from the back side of the hub, 4.5" backspace would gain you a half an inch clearance?

After further review, I see that your control arm is hitting the bottom outside the wheel. So I do believe that decreasing the back spacing of the rim would provide more clearance between the control arm and the bottom of the wheel.

In other words, maybe my above post is incorrect.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by lil hoodlum

After further review, I see that your control arm is hitting the bottom outside the wheel. So I do believe that decreasing the back spacing of the rim would provide more clearance between the control arm and the bottom of the wheel.

In other words, maybe my above post is incorrect.

Backspacing is just like it sounds.
It’s a measurement from the wheel mounting surface to the inside edge of the wheel.
Less backspacing moves the wheel out.

[70cst]

I just might go with a 7" wheel/tire combo in the front and 8" in the back. That would solve my problem plus I could decrease my BS without it going to far outwards.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 70cst

I just might go with a 7" wheel/tire combo in the front and 8" in the back. That would solve my problem plus I could decrease my BS without it going to far outwards.

Exactly. This is another reason many utilize the staggered front to rear combos.

Be prepared because even 7" wheels sometimes get close enough that it requires a little clearance work on those porky a-arm gutters. The OE disc brake 6" wheels are usually the ones that clear w/o issue. Aftermarket 7" wheels w/spec'd back spacing should be good.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Exactly. This is another reason many utilize the staggered front to rear combos.

Be prepared because even 7" wheels sometimes get close enough that it requires a little clearance work on those porky a-arm gutters. The OE disc brake 6" wheels are usually the ones that clear w/o issue. Aftermarket 7" wheels w/spec'd back spacing should be good.

Thats my thinking - mabve add about a 1 1/2" BS with the 7" wheel should solve my issues.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Thats my thinking - mabve add about a 1 1/2" BS with the 7" wheel should solve my issues.

You need to get your nomenclature down for these discussions.

ADDING back-space means the wheel barrel would be moving closer to the source of your contact issue. Reducing back-space would mean moving it away from your contact issue.

You want a 6-7" wheel w/less BS than your current 8" wheel. That shifts the contact point @ the wheel lip farther away from the a-arm gutter while keeping a similar outer track width.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You need to get your nomenclature down for these discussions.

ADDING back-space means the wheel barrel would be moving closer to the source of your contact issue. Reducing back-space would mean moving it away from your contact issue.

You want a 6-7" wheel w/less BS than your current 8" wheel. That shifts the contact point @ the wheel lip farther away from the a-arm gutter while keeping a similar outer track width.

Yes ... I presently have 4" BS on a 8" rim and I will go to about a 3" BS with a 7" rim

[lolife99]

Did you ever resolve this issue?

[70cst]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Did you ever resolve this issue?

I ordered two 7" rims with 3" BS. The tire dealer said I can use the exisitng tires on either a 8" or 7" rims.