31 inch tires rubbing on lower control arms

[sergiorod1987]

Hi all, 

 

I have the 31 inch tires rubbing on lower control arms issue on stock wheels with 3 inches of lift. I understand switching to WJ lower control arms issue will fix this problem and I did order them and have them. What I didn't realize is they are not a direct bolt on and they have to be ground down in order to fit on the frame side mounts and I don't want to deal with having to do that. 

 

Will any other after market direct bolt on lower control arms address this rubbing issue?

 

Thanks

[Pete M]

takes 5 minutes to trim the steel bushing flush with the rubber.  it's like the easiest mod ever.   

 

also, no, there are no aftermarkets that bend in like them.  plenty of aftermarkets are round though, and that might help a bit. 

[sergiorod1987]

Thank you for the response. I guess I'm going to have to if there is no alternative

[Pete M]

it's super easy.   you won't regret it.

[88towmanche]

I used a chop saw with an abrasive cut off wheel - go slow enough so you don't cook the rubber bushing.

 

The oval end goes axle side - I think, put mine on back-asswards but haven't switched them back yet.

[ghetdjc320]

As an alternative, you could return them and go with some aftermarket control arms. A high quality wheel spacer properly installed is an option as well. Just some alternatives if you don’t want to cut the bushings. Core4x4 makes some nice control arm sets along with many other manufacturers. You could also adjust the steering stops on the knuckles but will obviously loose turning radius.

[motownXJdad]

i think Rusty's off road does make a lower control arm with more clearance where you need it, or you can adjust the factory spindle stops to where you have no rubbing for free👍

[motownXJdad]

here you go

https://rustysoffroad.com/products/rusty-s-control-arms-custom-for-stock-wheels-pair-xj-tj#.YrIMWh8pC2c

[DesertRat1991]

Adjust your steering stops by installing flat washers under the welded nut until the interference is resolved. May take 3-5 washers depending on thickness.

 

[Pete M]

6 hours ago, motownXJdad said:

here you go

https://rustysoffroad.com/products/rusty-s-control-arms-custom-for-stock-wheels-pair-xj-tj#.YrIMWh8pC2c

 

 

sweet!    people have been asking for such a thing for years now.  good to see someone finally stepping up.  

[sergiorod1987]

Thanks all for your responses! 

 

Looks like those rustys control arms will do the trick! Thanks motownXJdad for finding and sharing the link!

[motownXJdad]

glad to help👍

[gogmorgo]

The biggest issue with the stock arms rubbing is the _/\_ shape they've got. They catch real bad on that horizontal lip, especially with tires with aggressive shoulders and sidewalls, basically any modern AT at this point that's worth running. Even with WJ control arms I'm still getting some rub, although it's nowhere near as bad. But any tubular arm even without a kink in it is going to be much better for tire rub than the stock XJ/MJ arms with that lip on them.

[OldSch88L]

In any case, you pretty much have to adjust the bump stops... I have 31s on 15X8 Ravine wheels, and I swapped in WJ lower arms to stop the rubbing. It worked to a point, the tires don't rub the arms anymore, but they now rub the sides of the sway bar!

[OldSch88L]

Oh and that's on a 3" lift by the way

[gogmorgo]

On 6/26/2022 at 4:53 PM, OldSch88L said:

In any case, you pretty much have to adjust the bump stops... I have 31s on 15X8 Ravine wheels, and I swapped in WJ lower arms to stop the rubbing. It worked to a point, the tires don't rub the arms anymore, but they now rub the sides of the sway bar!

Bump stops or steering stops?

[OldSch88L]

On 6/29/2022 at 12:03 AM, gogmorgo said:

Bump stops or steering stops?

Steering stops, sorry about that!!!