Will wheel spacers help prevent tyre rub?

Sweatyfox · Gate Opener Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Odometer: 35

My 1996 Cherokee has had a 2.5 - 3" lift (already done when I bought the vehicle) along with the 31"x10.5x15 tyres.

The problem is at full lock the tyres do rub a bit on the inside suspension arm, a common problem, but would this go away if I fitted 1" wheel spacers?

Or would it move the tyre rub somewhere else? Like outer edge of the arch?

mort · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:10 pm Post subject:

Yes, fitting spacers would probably stop that rubbing - in fact you might even cure it with a thinner spacer. The only way to say for sure whether a spacer would cause rubbing elsewhere (e.g. during articulation) is to fit them and put your XJ up on a ramp.

However, if it's only rubbing at full lock the usual (and cheapest) remedy is to put a couple of penny washers behind the steering stops. If it still rubs then add another washer, and so on.

You may find that you need a different number of washers each side, as they quite often rub more on one side than the other. Also, the washers have to be fitted to the opposite of the lock where the rubbing occurs - i.e. if you get rubbing on full right lock, then put a washer behind the nearside steering stop.

Just Googled this article http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/steer/steerstop/ which should help you to locate your steering stops. As the article says, you could remove the tack-welded nut from the steering stop, but putting a washer behind it works just as well, and is a lot easier.