JKS 3" Suspension - 35" Tire Rubbing

[Batibot Jeep]

Hi guys my name is Jeff and completely a newbie to this jeep thing and appreciate for any feedback and help related to the topic. I have a 2020 JT Overland and lifted my rig to 3" using JKS suspension lift including the upper and control arm, Fox 2.0 Performance suspension and Fox 2.0 TS steering stabilizer. I have a zero (0) offset with 5" backspacing on 18x9 wheels with 35x12.5 tires. After the lift and driving for a day I have noticed the driver side tire when in full turn to the left is rubbing on the lower control arm, but it does not happened on the passenger side when I do the full turn to the opposite direction (turning right). See attached picture. Please note, I was not rubbing before the suspension lift. I brought it back to the shop and told them about the issue and said they have checked and tightened all the bolts but they cannot find anything that causing this issue, so they said there are couple of factors. One is the wheel offset and second is because of how the way the jeep was designed, everything is not tight unlike SUV's and cars for articulations? I have not driven the jeep on off-road yet. Please let me know what causing this issue.

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[Mac]

You could change your wheels to a negative offset to move them out further or if it is just minor rubbing on the one side just adjust the steering stop so you cannot turn the wheels so far to that side.

 

[CerOf]

Either the axle is not centered with an adjustable track bar or your wheels don’t have the correct back spacing.

If your shop can’t figure that out, I’d name them here so we can all avoid them.

this is SUPER simple to diagnos in person.

 

[Batibot Jeep]

Either the axle is not centered with an adjustable track bar or your wheels don’t have the correct back spacing.

If your shop can’t figure that out, I’d name them here so we can all avoid them.

this is SUPER simple to diagnos in person.

Thank you for your prompt response. They said they have already remeasured and adjusted the track bar and so weird, every time I bring the car and mimic the issue I have plenty of space between the tire and lower control arm. If the backspacing is the other issue why it only happened on the driver side? Regards.

 

[Mac]

It is pretty common to have one side rub and not the other, have had it in Jeeps and Toyotas

 

[Batibot Jeep]

You could change your wheels to a negative offset to move them out further or if it is just minor rubbing on the one side just adjust the steering stop so you cannot turn the wheels so far to that side.

Thanks Mac. I will make note of that.

 

[MrFahrenheit]

You could add a wheel spacer to push the wheels out a little further.

 

[Batibot Jeep]

You could add a wheel spacer to push the wheels out a little further.

As much as I want to but had a bad experience from the past. The lug from the hub is bend when I did the tire rotation on my pathfinder before.

 

[Fouts]

I think a wheel with a different offset may solve problem although not sure why does at different times. I have attached a link to an offset calculator which will show what various offsets will do. I run a +25 and like that it does not stick out too much. As Mac said a 0 to a negative offset will move further away from control arm but give you more tire poke.

https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator

 

[Batibot Jeep]

I think a wheel with a different offset may solve problem although not sure why does at different times. I have attached a link to an offset calculator which will show what various offsets will do. I run a +25 and like that it does not stick out too much. As Mac said a 0 to a negative offset will move further away from control arm but give you more tire poke.

https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator

Never had rubbing issue before the suspension lift with upper and lower control arms and steering stabilizer as part of the changes. Before changing my set of wheels which is just a year old I would like to understand what causing this issue and not to waste the money.

 

[DocMike]

This. Did it not come with an adjustable track bar? Eyeball it for a minute and see if the front axle sits under the Jeep correctly. 3in is a lot with no adjustable track bar.

Curious what Terraflex says. They have good customer service.

Either the axle is not centered with an adjustable track bar or your wheels don’t have the correct back spacing.

If your shop can’t figure that out, I’d name them here so we can all avoid them.

this is SUPER simple to diagnos in person.

 

[Renegade]

Never had rubbing issue before the suspension lift with upper and lower control arms and steering stabilizer as part of the changes. Before changing my set of wheels which is just a year old I would like to understand what causing this issue and not to waste the money.

Post a picture of your front axle and track bar.

 

[RCKLNDR]

I have:

-The same front coil springs as you
-4.75” BS on 9” wide wheels
-35s

so I’m 1/4” away from your same specs and I do not rub.

it took me 3 times of trying to get the front axle centered. I have to assume yours isn’t centered. Unless that lift kit comes differently than I remember seeing, it should have an adjustable front Trackbar. This should be an easy fix with basic hand tools. You just have to tinker a bit and take measurements.

 

[Batibot Jeep]

I have:

-The same front coil springs as you
-4.75” BS on 9” wide wheels
-35s

so I’m 1/4” away from your same specs and I do not rub.

it took me 3 times of trying to get the front axle centered. I have to assume yours isn’t centered. Unless that lift kit comes differently than I remember seeing, it should have an adjustable front Trackbar. This should be an easy fix with basic hand tools. You just have to tinker a bit and take measurements.

Thank you for your suggestion. I'm new to jeep world and never had any experience on this rig but willing to learn and absorb any suggestion. They have adjusted the adjustable track bar but it still there and next week they will adjust the JKS lower control arm to shorten it to be able to make clearance on the tire where it rubs. I don't know if that is a smart move. But would like to know if there are parameters or guidelines as to what the measurement will be per the height of the lift to function it properly without sacrificing some of the parts?

 

[RCKLNDR]

Thank you for your suggestion. I'm new to jeep world and never had any experience on this rig but willing to learn and absorb any suggestion. They have adjusted the adjustable track bar but it still there and next week they will adjust the JKS lower control arm to shorten it to be able to make clearance on the tire where it rubs. I don't know if that is a smart move. But would like to know if there are parameters or guidelines as to what the measurement will be per the height of the lift to function it properly without sacrificing some of the parts?

Ugh, if they shorten the lower control arms, they’re going to decrease your caster. If your caster was already set to spec, shortening could lead to flighty steering. I’d be questioning their experience at this point. In my opinion, they need to focus on the Trackbar to center the axle and thus prevent tire rub on one side.

Based on their feedback, I’d honestly suggest that you try to remedy on your own. If you have some sort of 4’ straightedge, place it against the tire on one side. Measure the distance to the fender. Then repeat on the other side. Go from there.

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