Hello All....

I have an 89 EB with the stock wheels and 33x12.5 tires. I am in the process of looking for wheels to help fix the rubbing I am getting when I turn sharp, and am wondering if a lift would help at all. The rubbing is happening in two places, both in front on what looks like a sway or stabilizer bar, and in back on the radius arm. They seem to hit at the same time (front on one side back on the other) when I turn in either direction. Will a body lift or even a suspension lift help this at all? Or do I just have to get wheels with enough backspacing to push the tires our far enough? Thanks.

 

Wider wheels would help because the tire wouldn't be ballooned out on the side walls as much. The 33X12.50's I had on my '85 would just barely rub on the radius arms at full turn, but wouldn't touch anything in the front. Besides, most tire manufacturers recommend at least an 8.5" wheel for 12.5" tires.

Body lift wouldn't do anything. Suspension lift would help if you got one with new radius arms. Most kits come with radius arms that are curved in to give more clearance for the tires.

 

A change in "backspacing" is in order. Not certain on your 89 but I know that the stock rims on my 92 had 4.5" of backspacing which makes the backspacing too deep to even fit on an early Bronco (66-77), they rub the steering knuckles. Anyhow, most aftermarket rims only have a 3.5" backspacing which will move the tires out from under the truck by a full inch. Take care though, while decreased backspacing may help the rubbing at the sway bar and radius arms, it may create problems at the outside of the turning arc....fenders and front bumper. If you are considering buying new wheels for your truck, check the backspacing prior to ordering them.

Another "quick fix" is to adjust the steering stop bolts on the knuckles. Backing them out will keep the wheels from turning as far but also reduce your turning raduis proportionately.

Just to clarify, backspacing is the measurement from the inside edge of the wheel to the surface of the center webbing that seats against the hub and rotor assembly. An accurate measurement can be taken with a wheel removed and a ruler touching the flat surface around a wheel stud hole and measuring straight out to the edge of the rim keeping the ruler perpendicular to the wheel. Lay another ruler or flat rigid material across the wheel to get the measurement. This measurement does NOT include tire section width which will add a small amount of depth to this initial backspacing measurement.