One UCA Tire Rub

Hi, all. New member here. I’ve done a few thread searches for this topic and didn’t find anything; I apologize if it is covered somewhere. Please point me in that direction, if it exists.

I have a 2007 V8 that has been lifted with OME 885x springs / OME shock in front with Rocky Road Outfitter UCA. FJ steelies with BFG KO2 265/70/17. Only the right tire rubs on right UCA during a left turn. Alignment is within spec. Left side clears without issue during hard right turn. WTH??? This really has me stumped. Could it be a UCA assembly defect? It appears that the particular UCA has a slightly different angle to it; trying to measure with any degree of accuracy without pulling the damn thing off again is not easy.

Wheels and tires had been on the vehicle when I was using FJ springs, small spacer and factory UCA with no problems at all.

Anyone? Please? This is making me crazy. Rocky Road was asking for measurements to help them. They offered a discount on wheel spacers, but I do not want to go that route. Seems to me that both tires should be rubbing if it was a general set up issue.

 

Thanks for the reply, SERIOUSLY! No rubbing anywhere else. Paint rubbed off of the one UCA at contact point. Ball joint already installed from Rocky Road. See why I am going crazy?

 

Do you have your alignment numbers?

Curious if there is a camber discrepancy on one wheel as compared to the other.......even though they are both in spec.

 

Attached is photo of alignment readings. There is approx .5 inches of clearance on the non-rubbing side, maybe a little more.

 

When I say they were within spec, this is the best that Toyota said they could do. Should have specified that, but only came to mind when I pulled out the alignment sheet. Sorry.

 

You do have some negative camber there, but I would have expected the right side to be worse off than the left side........not better. You're probably going to want to ask Rocky Road if they have alignment specs they recommend with their UCAs so you can compare them to yours.

If none of that pans out, you you could try a different alignment shop. Before you pay them tell them your issue, bring this alignment spec sheet, and ask if they think they can fix it.

 

The .5 inch clearance on the non-rubbing tire was at full turn. On the issue side, the tire has taken the paint off the underside of the UCA approx .75 inches deep.

I will talk to Ricky Road and ask what they advise for alignment. There was no mention in several emails about their alignment recommendations. I thought Toyota would be good for alignment, even though the vehicle has been modified. I did take the vehicle to 4WD parts to verify alignment was properly done on the vehicle by Toyota.

You all are great, thank you. Keep the advice coming!

 

Just some pics of the problem side

 

May think this to be crazy but check to make sure the tire makes contact all the way around. It could be a tire issue. Once again, thinking out loud.

 

It rubs when not even under compression and before full left turn is reached.Tire rub is consistent around the tire. Tires were also rotated just to eliminate a single bad tire / rim theory.

 

With the geometry of the set up and with the ball joints already installed by Rocky Road, there was only one way they fit.

 

What did you do to the LCA? That isn't stock on a 4th gen, right?

Did they lengthen your spindle at all?

What lift height are you at in front?

 

All of you have been super helpful. I mean that. No vehicle damage history. RRO did not provide any insight into tire / wheel / lift combos. I would better deal with spacers or new rims if both sides were rubbing. There is an underlying issue.....the mystery.

That is bolt on skid plate for stock UCA. No special work on LCA or spindles. I am at roughly 2 1/2 lift at front with V8 and ARB bumper.

 

If you run out of things to check it might be worth your time and money to have the frame alignment checked. While it doesn't happen often, I bought a 'new' car back in the 60's with such an issue and it took a frame alignment check to pin point it. fwiw

 

Have you sent your photos to RRO, so they can compare that particular UCA to one in stock? All things being equal, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that you have a control arm that was misaligned when it was welded; but you'd need another one to compare it to...my vote is there is something off with that control arm.

It is also possible, since no two trucks are exactly the same, that your factory control arm mount is different enough, albeit only slightly, where that RRO control arm mounts. The oem control arm may have had plenty of clearance where it would never be an issue, but the RRO may be showing that to be different enough. Just another possibility...

 

Frame check a good possibility. I sent pics to RRO and they want some measurements, which I will provide. I will keep you all updated as to what is found in case it helps someone else out someday. Anyone else, please feel free to offer suggestions. Cheers.

 

Wondering how things are going?

 

OK, so I am working on a theory that I had two alignment shops botch the job and am now working with an old school garage and a guy with 30 years experience on the old school laser and mirror system. He made some good progress today, but not enough. I will head back there in a week or two for another go and update. Thanks for checking in!