Tire rub after superlift?????

[Mac]

My lift is done and the allignment guy said my tires are sitting too far back in the wheel wells. After closer inspection I noticed that there is a slight angle on my axle half shafts. you can really tell by looking at the axle u-joint on the passenger side. Is it possible too loosen the two bolts connecting the radius arms to the axle and pull it as far forward as possibe before tightening? I did not do this during installation. Or do I have to get custom spacers made for the radius arm brackets? Help, 33" tires make contact w/ rear of fender just by turning wheels w/ out moving!!!

 

[Kyle K.]

Hey Mac did you use the radius arm drop bracket or the extended radius arms? there is play either way you may have to make spacers or stack washers at the radius arm to bring them further forward.

 

[Mac]

I used the superunner 5.5" lift w/ replacement radius arms and new radius arm brackets. If anyone else used this kit, there is a diamond on the top and bottom of the radius arm. Where should it be in relation to the coil spring, inboard, outboard, or directly behind the coil spring.

 

[Mac]

Well, trying to pull the axles forward did not work. they are straight now, however, but the tires still rub. According to Superlift, this lift will work with 33" tires on the stock rims, but that causes tire rub on the radius arms and the sway bar. I have decided to add an additional 3 inches with a Performance Accrories body lift. According to the local 4 wheel drive shop and Superlift, this will solve the rubbing problem.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

STOP!!!

You have a problem with your suspension. A body lift will not fix that. You should check your install again and make sure you did everything right. Read the instructions and if everything looks good have someone else read them and look at it. I have the Superlift 5.5" and Super Runner radius arms and my tires(33") never, ever, even come close to rubbing on the fender. Something is wrong so you should fix it properly. Just getting rid of the rub by installing a body lift is not going to solve your suspension problem.

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Paul Gagnon
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[WAExplorer]

I have to agree with Paul. These arms will install upside down. Did you measure them as per the instructions? But there is something wrong here and it should be fixed. I too have the Superrunner kit and my 33's don't rub on the body. Only the sway bar on tight turns. I also use stock wheels.

 

[AARON FINE]

Hey guys I have a 4-inch Trail Master suspension and a 3-inch body and my tires rub horribly. Although, my excuse I think is the 33 12.50 Swamper Thornbirds. I have already done some slight damage to my right fenderwell from making a right turn and hitting a steep incline. My lift was installed by a reputable shop. Is there anything that can help me?

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I buried my 88 Toyota, RIP

 

[Mac]

The radius arms are in correctly, I have measured them three time, long side on the bottom. I have been on and off the phone with superlift and have had the truck at two different shops so far since I pulled the axles forward. One shop even measured my wheelbase and it is 112.5 inches, door jam sticker indicates 112. According to superlift it all depends on the explorer, and the brand of tire and rims. My tires also rub on the sway bar in tight turns which tells me they are far enough forward. the axles are now straight across and I still have tire rub. I see that waexplorer uses stock wheel. This could be part of my problem since I am using 15x8" wheels with about 1.5" of backspacing. If the backspacing wasn't there it would probably clear my fenders but rub on the radius arms and more on the sway bar. I have been over the instructios 50 times before installation and about 100 times after installation. Both 4x4 lift kit installation shops agree the kit is in properly.

[This message has been edited by Mac (edited 06-18-1999).]

 

[Paul Gagnon]

I don't know what to tell you. I am running 33 x 12 1/2 Thornbirds which are a very wide tire, on stock 15 x 7 wheels. Even with the tire stuffed all the way up until it touches the spring and the wheels turned I have a couple of inches clearance from the fender. Did you measure where the new radius arm brackets go on the frame again?

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Paul Gagnon
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[j]

What is your new wheel size? You need different backspacing?

 

[j]

What is your new wheel size? You need different backspacing?

 

[Mac]

I think some of you may be confused. The tires outer edge catches the lower corner of the front wheel opening in the rear only when the tires are turned. Sitting on level ground with the tires pointing straight ahead, I have about 2.5-3 inches between this point and the tire. likewise, sitting on level ground with the tires turned the outer edge of the tire has about 1/8" of clearence from this same point.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Like I said, my Thornbirds are a very wide tire probably over 15" wide (actually I just measured them at 13 3/4") at the ends of the sidewall lugs and I have about 2 inches clearance at the bottom of the fender sitting on level ground with the wheels turned. I just double checked it 20 seconds ago. I also have similar clearance at full stuff. Something is not right with your lift. Are you sure it is the correct drop down bracket? Because that kind of clearance seems more like what you would have with a 4" lift.

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Paul Gagnon
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed



[This message has been edited by Paul Gagnon (edited 06-19-1999).]

 

[Mac]

Are the radius arm mounting brackets different in the 4" lift and the 5.5" lift. From the frame to the center of the radius arm bracket doughnut on the back I show apporx. 3 3/8". Please check yours, this might be the solution to my problem.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Same measurement on the bracket. My radius arms are 31" from the back side of the TTB arm to the flange that the big washer rests against. This puts the brackets about 1/16" away from the transmission cross member.

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Paul Gagnon
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[Mac]

Paul, I get the same measurements, 31" from the large cupped washer to the TTB, about 1/4" between transmission crossmember and bracket, but what is your measurement from the bottom of the trucks fame to the center of the doughnut on the back of the radius arm drop bracket. I show 3 3/8". Also, the top of the radius arm is almost level, where as the bottom has a deefinate noticable angle. Do you show the same on yours.

[This message has been edited by Mac (edited 06-19-1999).]

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Yes the same measurement on the bracket,that is what I said in the last post. Don't know what to tell you. I would check the part numbers on every component and see if they are correct. Some thing must be wrong. YOu should have tons of clearance.

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Paul Gagnon
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[Mac]

Sorry Paul, I thought that's what you meant but I wasn't sure. I have already made a list of all the part numbers and I'm calling superlift back on Monday to make sure they all match up. If they do, I am going to mount two of the 33x12.50's on the stock rims to see if they will clear the fenders, just to prove to myself that the kit is in correctly. If they clear I will put them back on the new rims and go ahead with the 3" body lift. At least I'll have the biggest Explorer in this area and as all men know, bigger is better!

 

[JAY]

I think that your kit is installed correctly, My EB has the 5.5 superrunner kit on it with a three inch body lift, and I rubbed with 33x14.00 Boggers on 15x10 rims with 3 3/8 back spacing. My buddy however has the same amount of lift running 35x14.50 Thornbirds on the same rims and hardly rubs at all. I personally think it varies with every Explorer