Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

I went to the alignment shop to look at where the control arm was rubbing the rim/tire. Found the issues and now I need to get two rims with 2 3/4-2 7/8 backspacing.

Now to find the best store to by two front rims.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

This is where most do some slight clearance work on the a-arm 'gutter'.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

This is what I did before getting tubular A arms.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Typically a 3-1/2” backspace will clear just fine.
What does your clearances look like with the wheel straight and the weight on the suspension?

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Does this only happen with dropped spindles? I've had 15x8 wheels (4" backspacing)on my stock height pickup for 20+ years and it doesn't rub.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Yes. It's common w/drop spindles.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Deleted double post.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Some guys run a taller rim 16 or 17s is another way around this with drop spindles

It was suggested to me by the mechanic to get at least a 2 7/8 BS - I think I will go with 2 1/2 to play it safe …
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Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

I forgot to mention I do have a 2 1/2 drop
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Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

It's a back-spacing thing. So even w/larger diameter wheels, it takes a combo of the right back-spacing & diameter to clear otherwise the contact just happens farther out/back on the arm.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

It's possible certain wheels have limitations on minimum back-spacing. Double check the clearance w/full weight on the suspension before spending money & time on it.
This is why grinding a little off the arm lip is common.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

IF you could find a 7” or 8” wide wheel with a 2-1/2” bs it would stick way outside the fender.
Just my opinion,... but that would not be a good look.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

I have run 15x7 rallys with dropped spindles with no rubbing..

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Thanks

Never thought of that.

I did find a wheel with 2 3/4 BS.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

15x7 vs my 15x8 could be the issue.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

If you are just dead set to not trim the control arm try this. Remove one wheel and stack 1/2" of flat washers on three of the wheel studs then bolt the wheel back on and recheck control arm clearance. This can help determine just how much less back space you really need.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Great idea :metal:

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Maybe I got lucky but I am running a 2-1/2" static drop in the front and 15x8 rallys with no rubbing issues. My backspacing is similar to the 4.25 as shown in the first post here.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

I'm running these old school 15 x 8 wheels with a 4" back space and they don't hit . It may be from using the CPP drop spindles and rotors we both are using ? .

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/WVI-31-580604

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

I did some trimming like suggested and added a 1/4 inch spacer to get the clearance I needed.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

That's my guess as well, Grumpy. I think those set the front wheels out 3/4" right? If so, it makes a good difference in clearance and my 255 wide tires set right at the edge of the fenders.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

After reading all this I wonder if I should get a 15x7 wheel for the fronts and maybe a 1/2 " BS and that would do the trick. I really dont want the front wheels to go outside the fender...

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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 :chevy:

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

Do you have 15x7 or 15x8 inch rims? Thanks

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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

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

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

True ... I am low on coffee :mm:

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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?

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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.

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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. :burnout:

Re: Control Arm Rubbing tire - solution 101 - found
 

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.