Vote4Runner88

Just installed the ball joint spacers and now my driver side inner tie rod rubs on the frame... What gives? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, want to get my rig back on the road!

lofreqjeff

That sounds weird to me - I've had BJ spacers on my truck for 5+ years and never had any issues. Any chance you can put up some pics - Pics always help.

junkyardog05

After putting on the spacers have you had lined back up? that could be your problem

Vote4Runner88

Vote4Runner88

This is the drivers side* when I turn left the back of the tie rod rubs the frame... I have not been able to drive it anywhere to get it aligned yet due to the inability to make left turns (suppose if I planned it out just right I could get away with all right turns there) lol!

Zpd426

somethings bent

mightymouse

iTrader: (6)

back up take another pic.

Vote4Runner88

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

Rotate that tie rod into the correct orientation and then tighten those 2 loose bolts and problem fixed.

westjohns yota

it needs to be on the outside of the linkage rod.....

lofreqjeff

Thats what I was thinking too now that I see pics - tightening those bolts should push the rod forward enough to fix the clearance issue.

I'm not sure about that - My 89 4Runner's tie rods are on the inside like shown in the pic. That doesn't mean its right, but thats how mine have been for the 9 years I've had the truck and never had any issues or had anyone tell me they were wrong.

Vote4Runner88

It will not go on the outside of the centerlink, the hole is flared to fit the tierod post and to be compressed in, and which bolts are u refering to? I put it back on the way it was taken off*

Vote4Runner88

Vote4Runner88

Well I took a closer look at the old tie rod and it is def. showing damage due to rubbing so I'm going with ZPD, something is bent...

Vote4Runner88

I cranked everything down tight and relaxed the torsion bars a little and I'm able to drive it with minimal rubbing so I think I will go see what the alignment guy can do for me... It almost seems that the angle the tie rods are at now due to the spacers has moved them out of that "sweet spot" in the frame where they were ment to originally function. The frame sort of recesses in to allow clearance at a normal angle.

junkyardog05

Something has to be bent, could be your drag link being bent some by bumping into something while out on a trail. I have those spacers on my 87 truck and they do great.

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

Hey Vote--
Can you shoot us another updated pic of the rubbing with everything tightened up?

Jay351

check your idler arm and pitman arm. Had a similar issue when my idler was worn out, allowed extra movement.