Found out today that the driver's side front tire is rubbing on the lower control arm and has worn a deep gouge into the tire (rubs just below where the shock mounts at). It happens only on hard left turns, the right side seems to be fine. It is a 2001 Ram 1500, with size 245/75/16 tires on it (which I believe are close to stock tires, with stock being 225/75/16 according to the door placard).

The metal stop on the spindle to keep the wheel from turning too far is still intact, and there doesn't seem to be any alignment or suspension problems (ball joints and tie rods seem fine; the ball joints were replaced a couple of years ago).

The only possible solutions I have in mind are:

- Go down a tire size to 225/75/16 (would that really make much of a difference?);
- Put on a wheel spacer;
- have someone weld more metal where the wheel stop hits the control arm to keep it from turning too far; or screwing/epoxy a rubber stop there to keep it from turning.

Has anyone else here had this issue and found a remedy for it or advice on the above solutions that I've come up with?

Thanks for the help!

 

2wd? 4wd? Stock wheels?

 

oh, no. you must answer the original question without this info. lol.

 

Sorry - yeh, it is 2wd with stock rims

 

are the stops adjustable? if so, spin them out. if too short, see if you can replace with longer bolts. if not, what about welding on a nut or spacer to make it longer?

 

no adjuster on the stops, just a solid piece of metal that hits the control arm. I'm thinking of welding some metal on there (thick washer or piece of scrap metal) - I just have to go find someone with a welder around here since I don't have access to one.

 

You should be able to put 265's on it without rubbing with stock wheels. So yea, do something about the stop.

And PLEASE, add ALL the info about your truck to your sig AND your profile. Thank You

 

Ya, I have the same problem on my 1998 4x4 ram sport bud. 285/75/16 on stock rims.
I think I'm going to do a wheel spacer. Buddy of mine said to take care of the tranny issue first, then maybe get some different wheels that have an offset that will clear the control arm. But short term..I'd go with wheel spacers and move the tire out.

 

try to determine what size spacer block you need. a large nut works pretty good. if you don't know anyone, try your local tech school (welding class), or a muffler shop (they weld a lot). it shouldn't cost but about $5.

where is your tire gouge. tread or sidewall. I hope its not the sidewall. if it is, is it safe to drive?

 

Hello um yep I got the same problem with my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with V8 . Driver side only only rubbing lower shock when I turn it