88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 88 mj 4.0 4wd. Has RC 4.5 lift with drop down swaybar brackets. I put on Ravines with 31/10.50-15 bfg's. My problem I seem to be having is the tire is rubbing the passenger side swaybar link mount. The part attached to the axle. It seems to only happen on the passenger side when turning to the left. Right side does not touch. Would this be an issue of the 10.50 on this rim it do I need a 1/4 spacer?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Is your axle centered? How did you center it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 The best pic I can get tonight in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 4 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: Is your axle centered? How did you center it? I bought the Jeep with no engine and the lift already on it. I just replaced the lower RC arms as the bushings were worn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 I'm thinking something has to be bent or out of alignment for it to rub on the mount at full lock? I thought maybe it was my backspacing on the wheels I put on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 W/o seeing a full shot of your front suspension it's going to be just guesswork. Was this happening before the Ravines? Is your left side steering adjustable stop bolt intact? The wheels shouldn't turn that far unless is broken off or your camber is horribly off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 does the axle appear to be centered left-right in the truck? what track bar is there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 1 minute ago, Pete M said: does the axle appear to be centered left-right in the truck? what track bar is there? This too. With an RC 4.5 lift you needs an adjustable track bar for sure. Need to see a full shot of what's there, like this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 9 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said: This too. With an RC 4.5 lift you needs an adjustable track bar for sure. Need to see a full shot of what's there, like this: Well I know for sure it's not adjustable track bar on my truck. I don't know if it's part of the kit or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 22 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said: W/o seeing a full shot of your front suspension it's going to be just guesswork. Was this happening before the Ravines? Is your left side steering adjustable stop bolt intact? The wheels shouldn't turn that far unless is broken off or your camber is horribly off. The steering stops on both sides are intact. When the passenger side gets to touching it's stop that's when the tire is just about touching the swaybar link mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 The Ravines are the only wheels I have for the truck. I got the truck from a yard saved it. It was missing the wheels and engine when I got it was sitting on the rotors and drums. Those are replaced now along with new upper and lower ball joints. I will get a front pic of it tomorrow. Thanks for your replies Soo far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 If you're able to drive it on the street, I'd suggest taking it to an alignment shop and paying them just to put it on the machine and give you a reading of how far (in degrees) the wheels turn in each direction. My best guess is that it's not going to be equal. If the track bar isn't adjustable, it's virtually certain that the axle isn't centered but I'm having trouble visuaslizing how that could affect the tire/rim rubbing on the sway bar bracket. I think I'd consider just adjusting the stop until it doesn't rub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 6 minutes ago, Eagle said: If you're able to drive it on the street, I'd suggest taking it to an alignment shop and paying them just to put it on the machine and give you a reading of how far (in degrees) the wheels turn in each direction. My best guess is that it's not going to be equal. If the track bar isn't adjustable, it's virtually certain that the axle isn't centered but I'm having trouble visuaslizing how that could affect the tire/rim rubbing on the sway bar bracket. I think I'd consider just adjusting the stop until it doesn't rub. I have that in the plan to do next. I just did the tape measure from tire to tire best I could tonight to get the toe close for driving. Would offset ball joints help this situation much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 don't even think about offset balljoints until you've got the rest of it correct. those are a desperate measure. it is far more likely that your "lift" is not put together right. do you still have stock upper control arms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 23 minutes ago, Pete M said: don't even think about offset balljoints until you've got the rest of it correct. those are a desperate measure. it is far more likely that your "lift" is not put together right. do you still have stock upper control arms? Ok. Yes stock upper arms are still in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 also could be part of the problem. your caster is likely off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 This is what a properly aligned steering system should look like. The track bar should be parallel with the drag link. We really need a good overall look at what you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Do you have an angle finder? If so, set it on top of the upper ball joint flat and see what the caster is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Offset ball joints don't affect toe-in or axle centering. and would not help the problem described in the opening post. Adjustable control arms also won't help this problem. Does anyone know what the backspacing is on the ravine wheels? I don't, but if they are 8-inch wheels I'll take a guess that they have 5-1/2" backspacing and that the extra quarter of an inch is what's making the difference. So either adjust the steering stop bolt, or run quarter inch spacers. (Or even 1/8" spacers might do it.) [Edit to add] MJ factory 15x7 rims are 5-1/4" backspacing. I've found three different Jeep-oriented sites that all agree the Ravines have 5-1/2" backspacing and that with large tires they can cause rubbing. So the cause of the problem here is simply the wheels, and the most direct solution is just to adjust the steering stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 2 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said: Do you have an angle finder? If so, set it on top of the upper ball joint flat and see what the caster is. I do not have one of those I will buy one tho to see what it's at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 6 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said: This is what a properly aligned steering system should look like. The track bar should be parallel with the drag link. We really need a good overall look at what you have. I'm going to get a pic right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 4 minutes ago, Eagle said: Offset ball joints don't affect toe-in or axle centering. and would not help the problem described in the opening post. Adjustable control arms also won't help this problem. Does anyone know what the backspacing is on the ravine wheels? I don't, but if they are 8-inch wheels I'll take a guess that they have 5-1/2" backspacing and that the extra quarter of an inch is what's making the difference. So either adjust the steering stop bolt, or run quarter inch spacers. (Or even 1/8" spacers might do it.) I was considering maybe a 1/4 spacer. I was messing around with washers last night in the garage just for measurements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 No spacers are needed with the Ravines if your setup is correct. They are an 8" wide wheel w. standard Jeep wheel specs. Ran them for years........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88jeep1 Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 I have added the ZJ upgrade steering components to this rig as well. Here's pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 37 minutes ago, 88jeep1 said: Can't see the whole end-to-end of the drag link and track bar, but they are no where near parallel. Also how long are those aftermarket LCAs? Looks like the UCAs are stockers. Also for better clarity I merged your pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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