Cxrazy

So I think i figured out my rubbing problem, and now am a little concerned...

Drivers Side:

Passenger Side:

Both pictures are taken toward the rear of the vehicle. The one on the drivers side is ~1" and the one on the passenger side is 2.5". Why? Note piece of 2x4 for size.

What the heck? This isn't normal I'm thinking. Whats wrong, and how do I fix it?

fasthorse67

Straighten the frame. Could be something else, but when I bought my Camaro the front wheels were offset like that by about 3 inches. I ended up replacing the frame instead of straightning it.

Cxrazy

well thats great to hear on a car I just friggin bought.

fasthorse67

Upon closer inspection of your pictures it looks like your fender flare is loose, the screw that holds it even looks loose.

Cxrazy

no the fenders are good.

I took the screw off because if it rubbing on it. They're even.

I'll probably take it to a place later, but I didn't know if anyone knew what the problem is?

mt_goat

Let me get this straight, your rear wheels are rubbing?

Cxrazy

these are my front wheels. Sorry if the pictures are confusing.

mt_goat

Oh ok, lets see some pics of the lower control arms, especially the cam adjustment bolts.

Cxrazy

alright....

I dont know what those are.

Do you want me to take the wheel off any snap some pics of the mumbo jumbo under there?

fasthorse67

If it rides down the road straight it's probably a fender alignment problem. Do all of the panel gaps look even?

Cxrazy

The panel gaps do not look even. It bugged me so i pulled off my bumper and banged it so it was better, but still... I don't know. I'll go look at it some more. What panels should I be looking for gaps for? and what would the gaps signify?

fasthorse67

Just look at the gap between the fender and the hood, and the fender and the door. If they're uneven, losen the fender up and adjust it. I think all of the bolts are easily accessible except for one behind the headlight/grill. Oh, and uneven gaps would signify body work/ previous accident.

mt_goat

No need to take the wheel off, something like this, your's will look different though:



LCA=lower control arm

84RNR

I had a Suzuki Sidekick with the same problem. Well not at first. I lifted it and had big wheels. After wheelin it for about a year noticed the same problem and rubbing on only one side. Turned out the lower control arm bushings basically broke and the arm and was all the way back and no longer centered in the pivot point. I had hit some objects on that side wheel too hard too many times. Not sure of the control arm set up on your generation but thought this info might help.

Or could the arm or something related on that side be bent just a bit?

97ltd4x4

Are the VIN numbers still on the fenders and hood?...If not its a sure sighn that the vehical was wrecked...There might still be suspension bent damaged on that side from the collision.If the steering wheel is fine and truck drives fine,someone adjusted the suspension to compensate for the bent parts....Or you could be lucky and the caster/cam bolts loosened up and shifted,but if that was the case,the steering sould be all out of wack,pulling,off center,ect....

mt_goat

It just seems to me that there is too much difference for it to be a fender alignment problem.

He could have a really bad alignment job, and still have it track straight. The tech could have adjusted the tie rod to compensate for the LCA being pushed back out of adjustment. He would have gotten it to track straight (what people notice) but the caster would be way out of spec (people don't notice as much). He gets the truck out faster.

I'd suggest going to a good alignment shop and have them put it on the machine and see what's in spec and what's out of spec.

Cxrazy

I looked closely at the hood and you can tell it was painted. It used to be red. Fender Gaps look fine to me, same on both sides.

When I drive straight my wheel is a little turned to the left, but it did that on my old 4runner so I didn't really pay it much mind.

Here are some pics of the Cams and LCA. Everything looked fine to me, but I don't really know what I'm looking for, hopefully you do.





Sorry for the big pics.

mt_goat

Well on the side that rubs (all I can see from the pics is the "front" cam) but it is adjusted all the way to the side that pulls the wheel away from the rear of the fender. So that's not a good sign. I was hoping for your sake it was adjusted all the way to the other direction and you could adjust it away. I'd go to an alignment place and put it on the rack. Some of them will do checks for free.

Cxrazy

It also seems to be getting worse.

I used to get rub only when I was going down an awkward turn/bump with my wheel turned just so and now I get it when I just turn my wheel to a certain angle.

I have a feeling something is broken/bent and its not alignment, but I hope I'm wrong. I'll call an alignment place anyway.

Anyone else have advice?

BajaRunner

Chances are, your frame is not bent.

Take it to an alignment. The cams are on opposite sides of the spectrum.

If it was involved in an accident, car fax should tell you, and you would most likely be able to tell by newer/different body pieces, freshly painted frame parts, etc.