Tire Rubbing... Allignment?

[X6StringerX]

So I've been putting off an allignment until I get my shackles. That way, I can do the TT the same day I install the shackles and my X won't look like the front is coming off the ground when it is sitting still.

Anyways, I had a '97 4x4 4-door X last year. I dropped the stock 235/70/15 tires in favor of some 30x9.50x15 A/Ts. The shop test fitted a 31x10.50x15 on one of my wheels, but when installed, at full lock on the wheel, it rubbed the upper A-arm. I just assumed that 31s wouldn't work on our Explorers without some modification. I later found that the 30s also rubbed slightly. That X needed an allignment as well... wore the inside HORRIBLY.

I discovered this forum when I purchased my current X. I found that many owners were running 31x10.50x15 tires with no rubbing issues whatsoever, but I wasn't too interested in doing an offroader. My first plan was to make this X a street machine, so rather than go the off-road look with 31s, I ditched my 235/75/15s in favor of some 255/70/15 Cooper Cobras. As I mentioned above, I'm in need of an allignment. I'm hoping that will solve my current issue. I took my X over to a buddy's house to change the oil... thank God I have a friend with a garage... 10 degrees today. Anyways, since I had it in the garage, I thought it would be a good idea to rotate my tires since the front tires were wearing uneven... more on the inside. I pulled the front passenger side tire off first and to my surprise, I found a 2" wide really shiny/smooth band all the way around the tire about 1.5" below the tire's inner side lugs. I inspected my suspension and BAM... upper A-arm had evidence of wear. I inspected everything that I could get access to and didn't find any worn out parts.

My current plans are to eventually run 31" or 32" A/T or M/T tires. Will an allignment fix this problem? I'd hate to plop down $600 on tires only to have them blowout from sidewall wear.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

You need to fix your suspension (control arms, ball joints, whatever) and then do your modification and then get it aligned. A tight suspension and a alignment should fix your wear issues

-Drew

 

[Turdle]

This is where I am trying to get clarity--is it actually rubbing on the upper ball joint--out on the end of the upper control arm???

If you try to adjust camber --this will not do anything for the clearance in that area,the whole control arm is moved out. This will not change the tire to balljoint clearance.
I have 275-60-17 cooper cobra tires--They made contct with both upper ball joints, ever so slightly, but it was contact.
I had to grind some casting flash from the ball joint area. Look at that real closely-- If the suspension parts are tight, all you need is a bit of clearance--it should not change with wheel movement at all. If it does--something is loose.

I truly suspect a ball joint-or wheel bearing is loose-

Can you get a picture???? both of the area you suspect, and the tire.
Also one showing the clearance, with tire mounted.

 

[X6StringerX]

I just snapped a few pics. Disregard the fact that the rubbed tires are now on the back. I inspected the tires that are on the front and they don't show any evidence of rubbing yet. I've driven it approximately 20 miles since I rotated the tires. As for the part that is circled in yellow, I believe the wear on it is from my inner fender splash/mud guards. When I changed my plugs, I tore them and broke some of the clips, so they don't hang right.

From the looks of the pictures, it would appear that the passenger tire only rubs when I'm turning right and the driver side only rubs when I'm turning left.

When I took the pictures, the X was in my driveway on level ground and at full lock right or left, neither tire rubbed at all... not even close. I guess its only happening when I'm cornering hard (always, lol).

 

[ExplorerDMB]

ohhh - i thought you were talking about inside tread wear - but your talking about that! An Alignment will not fix your issue nor would a balljoint (if theres THAT much play, that's dangerous). Anyhow, I'd recommend spacers or a different wheel

-Drew

 

[Turdle]

Look at your swaybar again
I can't believe they are rubbing on the ball joint, if they are, I can't believe you are driving it.

My tires do rub the swaybar at full turn---look again--

 

[X6StringerX]

I can't figure it out. There is no play when I manually push and pull on the wheel. All looks to be normal. The X steers fine and stays in a straight line... doesn't pull to either side. I didn't even know it was rubbing until I rotated the tires last night due to a little inner treadwear. I was surprised to see a 2" shiny band around the tires. It hasn't wore into the tire at all... just kind of polished it up. I could see where it wore a little on some of the manufacturer markings, etc.


I'm currently running stock wheels, but I'm going to be switching to some 15x8 Rock Crawler Soft 8's pretty soon... 3.75" backspacing. I'd like to go to 32s after I do the shackles and TT, but I fear they will rub like my current tires, which are a good bit more narrow than an 11.50".

What about 33x9.50's? Any chance I could squeeze those in there once I do the TT and shackles? I've removed my factory running boards and I'm prepared to remove the bumper valance and do some grinding on the bumper itself.









EDIT:

Do I forsee a SAS? Hmm...

 

[X6StringerX]

Ok, I ran out to check the sway bar again and snapped a few more pics.

Disregard the oil running down the frame... I was a little sloppy with the oil change last night, lol. I swear, the X doesn't leak a drop!

Anyways, here are the pics... no visible wear on the sway bar.

 

[X6StringerX]

Any new diagnosis?

Like I said before, the thing drives like a brand new vehicle... no jerking or anything like that. Had I not rotated the tires, I probably would have never noticed this. Could the rubbing have came from driving on uneven surfaces? My college is on the side of a mountain and the roads are horrible despite the fact that they're paved.



EDIT: Surely it wouldn't hurt to remove the inner fender splash guards would it? Maybe its possible that they're causing the rubbing since they're not fully secured.

 

[X6StringerX]

Drew/Jon,

Given all of the pictures and posts, whats the ultimate conclusion here. I've went through everything I'm capable of and the only thing I can see is that possibly the inner fender gaurds were rubbing the tire.

The tires that are on the front now have no evidence of wear, I think it would be a good idea to remove the inner fender gaurds and keep an eye on the sidewalls to see if any wear starts to show. That would be the easiest way to rule them out...

*shrugs*

I'm about to say screw it, sell it, and buy a 'Stang, but on the other hand, I have such great plans in my head. I just hate for all of my modding money to go into routine repairs.

 

[Turdle]

Idea

Try spraying some shaving cream on the inner tire wall, where it was polished.
Now, back out your driveway, slow enough that the foam doesn't spray everywhere. Try doing it in both directions, left and right, lock to lock.

It should leave shaving cream on the truck--somewhere.

It should be easy to wash off when you are finished

 

[Turdle]

I don't know why i didn't think of this

Automatic car wash????

 

[X6StringerX]

I'll try the shaving cream trick.

Haven't been to any carwashes... I prefer to wash my own vehicles.



The more I think about it, the more I think it is those stupid splash gaurds.

 

[X6StringerX]

Good news so far... I'm 95% sure the rubbing was due to the inner fender mud/splash gaurds being improperly secured.

I'm keeping my eye on everything though...