New Wheels & Tires - Now Rubbing FmL

[Kae006]

Finally got my new 275/70r17 Cooper AT3’s I installed today. I am running Bilstein 5100’s set at 2.5” front and a 1.5” daystar spacer rear. The wheels are MB TKO’s with a -6 offset. The tires rub the fender liners on the outer edge of the tire at full lock. I tried pulling the liner forward but can’t get it far enough to not rub at least a little. I know this will drove me crazy eventually so I’m considering throwing my stock wheels back on. Before I do I wanted to see if the general opinion was that it was the wheels causing the rubbing, as I will be pretty distraught if I go back to stock wheels and these tires still rub. I’m pretty bummed as I love these wheels on the truck, but don’t want to deal with the rubbing. I’m confused as it’s the outer edge of the tire that hits on full lock, I would think pushing the wheels out more would improve the situation not worsen it, but I’m not the brightest when it comes to offsets and spacers. I’ve read the tire thread and the fender liner mod threads and am still at a loss so any help would be appreciated before I spend the money to put these back on the stock wheels.

 

[3wbdriver]

Pushing the wheels out makes them swing through a wider arc, so if anything it makes it more probable you will have rubbing. It sounds like you have wider wheels and pushed them out another 6mm. You also added a wider tire which exacerbates the problem. Did you already relocate the fender liner the 1" recommended forward? If so, did you also trim the fender lip forward to match the liner? Sometimes everything we try will still not work. It just varies too much from vehicle to vehicle. But we should be able to get you figured out.

 

[Kae006]

Pushing the wheels out makes them swing through a wider arc, so if anything it makes it more probable you will have rubbing. It sounds like you have wider wheels and pushed them out another 6mm. You also added a wider tire which exacerbates the problem. Did you already relocate the fender liner the 1" recommended forward? If so, did you also trim the fender lip forward to match the liner? Sometimes everything we try will still not work. It just varies too much from vehicle to vehicle. But we should be able to get you figured out.

I did move the liner forward however I doubt I netted a complete inch. Maybe 1/2-3/4”. The photos I could find were more TE vehicles which apparently have a different liner. I didn’t trip the fender lip as the tires weren’t coming anywhere near it. My liner has two “humps” or ridges that stick out further from the the rest and that’s where they rub. In drive it’s not terrible but in reverse they grab the lip of the liner and it’s pretty rough.

 

[Kae006]

The wheels I bought are

17 X8.5 6-139.70 -6

So they are 1.5” wider

 

[Peakbagger]

This is somewhat of an extreme solution, but you could change your upper control arms to the adjustable SPC Light Racing UCA's. These will allow you to move the position of your wheel to some degree within the wheel well. I have them on my SR5 and am running Wildpeak AT3W's, 285/70/17. I get a slight rub in reverse only at full lock counterclockwise. Otherwise, no rubbing at all. Perhaps try this as a last resort if you want to keep your new wheels and tire set up. Hopefully 3WBdriver can help you get it worked out. I too tried the fender liner mod and it only helped a little. Could barely move it half an inch forward. Also used a heat gun to soften up the plastic and push it further forward. Best of luck. :usa2:

 

[Kae006]

This is somewhat of an extreme solution, but you could change your upper control arms to the adjustable SPC Light Racing UCA's. These will allow you to move the position of your wheel to some degree within the wheel well. I have them on my SR5 and am running Wildpeak AT3W's, 285/70/17. I get a slight rub in reverse only at full lock counterclockwise. Otherwise, no rubbing at all. Perhaps try this as a last resort if you want to keep your new wheels and tire set up. Hopefully 3WBdriver can help you get it worked out. I too tried the fender liner mod and it only helped a little. Could barely move it half an inch forward. Also used a heat gun to soften up the plastic and push it further forward. Best of luck. :usa2:

Thanks! UCAs are on the list and will probably get done within the next 6-12 months but not in the immediate future. I believe I still have the option to return these wheels to discount tire, of course I expect to pay for the labor and possibly a restocking fee, but if I don’t return them now I’ll likely lose the opportunity.

 

[3wbdriver]

Mine were rubbing only in reverse at full lock for a while also. The fender liner mod worked for that. If you're are already planning to get the UCA's I would just accept a little rub until you do that. Just try to remember the rub and don't turn the wheel too far when backing up. But even with the rub you aren't really hurting anything. It just sounds terrible. If you like the wheels keep the wheels.

 

[DesertRnr]

As has been emphasized many times in the past each one of these trucks is just a little bit different and what works on one, may not work on another, but for reference I installed 275/70/17 KO2s on the stock wheels. I have not done any mods to the fender liners or mud flaps. The tires just fit in the wheel wells, but they are close enough to the front liner to rub any mud off that might build up there. One of the reasons I kept the stock wheels was that after extensive research on this site I realized that pushing the wheels out due to a more negative offset would increase my chances of rubbing.

I believe the offset on your stock wheels is 15mm. If that is accurate going to a wheel with a -6mm had the effect of moving your entire wheel and tire package out by about eight tenths of an inch effectively increasing the radius of the curve it travels through when you turn the wheel.

I can't say if going back to stock wheel specs would solve your problem, but I do think it would be a step in the right direction. Of course you may not yet have exhausted the mods you can do to the wheel wells to get your preferred tire to fit. Always seems to be a trade off when you start modifying vehicles.

 

[wfo9]

If it is on the front of the wheelwell...

You just need to see where the rub is and keep pushing the plastic forward until it stop. You may also have to trim a little of the plastic bumper cover. It is no big deal.. Don't be shy. It's just plastic that nobody sees. It's been a long time since I have messed with a stock bumper, but you have to typically take some of it apart at the bottom and poke new holes to get the liner far enough forward.

Also, it is just plastic rubbing, while irritating... nothing to freak about. Just resolve it when you have time.

 

[YJIANG]

Your wheel is the culprit. Bring the wheel out (neg offset) will make it WORSE. Simple geometry. Going back to stock will greatly mitigate, if not totally eliminate the issue. I'm currently at stock height with 275/70/17 without rubbing. Using stock wheel with lift will actually reduce rub because the tire's widest point will be lower where the wheel well opens up more.

 

[Kae006]

Ended up going back to stock. Will keep an eye out for some TRD or at least TE wheels but for now I’m happy with it!

 

[Louisiana Overland]

I put 285 70 17 BF Goodrich K02 on my 2017 this week. They are on stock trd offroad premium wheels. This is in conjunction with a 3" OME lift and spc upper control arms. I was prepared to have to do the fenderliner mod...cut if needed...and modify the front splash guard. I didnt have to do any of those modifications and have zero rubbing. The offroad wheels are 7.5" wide as compared to the trd pro 7" wide wheel and in my opinion carry the tire a little better.

Im anxious to get on trails to see if theres any rubbing while flexing the suspension but in pavement theres absolutely no issues.