Stock Suspension Tire Rub

[Rocko1012]

Have 77 with stock suspension. 1in BL, Rear tires rub when hit bump. Rim size 15x7, 3.75 backspacing. Tire size 30x9.5 Added heavy rear bumper. Do not have rear seat in yet, or spare/tire holder. I believe rear springs or just worn out. Suggestions on correcting problem, See pictures. I really do not want to do a Suspension lift.

 

[Smedley]

I have the same setup. 1"BL, 30x9.50 tires, with stock rims and a stock suspension, however, my suspension is brand new. I am using the stock bumper. No rubbing, not even close.

 

[75MIKE]

I have the same setup. 1"BL, 30x9.50 tires, with stock rims and a stock suspension, however, my suspension is brand new. I am using the stock bumper. No rubbing, not even close.

No body lift here with no rubbing . Just stock wheels with 30-9.50 inch tires.

 

[DirtDonk]

Very strange Rocko. Lots of people running that combination and no trouble. Even 31x10.50's in some cases.

Is it rubbing just on the top, or the leading edge? Or both?
Are you sure they have 3.75" backspacing? They do look that way, but I'm curious if you checked.

Are both sides rubbing equally?
It's not really an issue of spring sag at this point. That's easy to compensate for with a simple block under the spring, an add-a-leaf, or new springs at stock height. No lift kit needed.
The issue is the width of the tire and wheel combo if they are rubbing on the top. They should be tucked in behind the sheet metal or they are still going to rub when the springs flex up.

If it's the front leading edge of the wheel well opening, then that's going to take moving the axle back an inch or so. Lots of members have done it, and it's not too demanding, difficult or expensive. And does not hurt anything and gives you that extra room to work with.
And as we like to say, every Bronco is different. Some have issues with that front edge while others do not. Easy to see on lifted and cut Broncos, where the tire is filling more of the front of the opening than the rear.

Anyway, maybe all that's correct and you're just rubbing. But what you end up doing may depend on where it's rubbing.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[Rocko1012]

rubs on center top of wheel well edge. Backspace is 3.75, but rim is 1 inch thing at bolt pattern. Look at pictures and see if you notice problem. I rolled right wheel edge up a little. I may just get 1.5 spring block for each side.

 

[SteveL]

Theres always the sawzall.....

 

[DirtDonk]

You should measure backspacing with a straightedge that is inside the wheel bead. Looks like yours is touching the tire sidewall which will give you a false reading.
Maybe even the same piece of wood but cut down to just under 15" or whatever is needed to seat on the bead.

I've seen some recent charts that say to measure from the bead "edge/lip" (where it's rolled over) but I've always gone by the old charts that said to measure from the flat bead "side" just below the rolled edge.

Paul

 

[Rustytruck]

Is both sides rubbing? You can roll up the fender well lip. You can use an overload spring from a 4900 lb spring set. Should be allot of them lying about. What ever you do if you space the springs up you need to get new U bolts. Keep checking the torque every week untill the torque takes a set and stops needing adjustment. May want to lookinto the Wild horses 1" body lift. Check if the body is centered on the frame side to side. What is the measurement between the axle tube and the frame?