Tire rubbing

[Jon Wilson]

I have a 04 XLS ST and it has the factory wheels and tires on it. I have made no adjustments. When I try to make a big turn or turn up/down a hill they rub. Does anyone else have this problem and is there something I could do to fix the problem?

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Front or rear tires? If the rear, many Tracs had the bed installed at the factory off by 1/4. The lean of the vehicle during turns allows the tire to rub.



If it is the front, you may be hearing your steering stops. There is a ball that is part of the lower control arm. There is a concaved part on the spindle the ball rides in when the wheel is turned to the max. Put some heavy grease on the ball and the area on the spindle where it rides. The noise will be gone.



If your front tire is truly rubbing then something is wrong. Check the wheel well liner for wear areas. It could be a weak torsion bar too????

 

[Teddy GreeneII]

Kev, what grease would you choose for that? the marine grade stuff? thanx

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Ted. marine grease works well as it keeps the water from penetrating itself fairly well. But any heavy grease will do the job. Wheel bearing grease is good to. The trick is to NOT use a light grease. Like 3 and 1 oil or White Lithium. The light grease has a tendency to not stick to the components.

 

[Jon Wilson]

It is the front ones.

 

[Teddy GreeneII]

Thanks CJ

 

[Johnny O]

Take it to an aligment shop and have them raise the torsion bars just an inch or so. My second Ranger,totally stock with OE tires, rubbed the front tires backing out of my parking space at work until I did that.