more tire clearance by pushing axles forward?

[Davis]

I have had tire rubbing isssues for quite some time, and I'm trying to figure out how to fix it.

I'm running 235/75r15s on my ranger, with skyjacker leveling coils and cut down polyurethane spacers. The truck sits level, maybe a touch higher in the front. The rear suspension is stock and I think the springs may be a little tired.

The rear isn't the problem tho. It doesnt rub unless I really load it down, and I think a re-arch would fix that.

The front rubs whenever I do a tight u-turn. The back part of the wheelwell is a bit bent, from too much compression when off-roading, so obviously it's rubbing in the rear. I dont think it does in teh front. So I'm thinking if I push the axles forward .5-.75" that may clear up my problem.

I could do this by somehow having the radius arms push the I-beams forward, either by a spacer or by extending them. Would this cause any problems with alignment or otherwise?

 

[feellnfroggy]

I got 18x8's with 245/40/18's I think and 245/45/19's in the rear and nothing of mine rubs. Something is worn I would think. 235 is not that big. is yours a v6? it might sit lower in the front than mine due to weight(i have a 4cyl)

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

if your fenders are bent and causing the rubbing, why wouldnt you fix them? seems a lot easier and more straightforward than messing the your alignment.

i think the problem with pushing the axles forward via the radius arms is going to be the pivots will no longer be in the centerline of the axles, which might cause some binding (however small with the planned .75" movement). you'll also change your steering geometry ever so slightly which could cause some negitive side effects.

truthfully, i dont think the amount you want to move the axle will hurt anything....but i just think there are easier ways to fix the problem with fewer "what ifs". if nothing else, a few washers stacked under the body mounts (.25-.5") might do it.

 

[Davis]

I honesty don't think that the fenders being bent are causing the rubbing.

True, I probably could remedy it with a small body lift, but I really don't want it any higher than it is. The truck can put down some serious power, and it doesnt need to "float" any more than it already does.

The reason I ask is that I kinda want to make extended radius arms, and if I can solve that problem by so doing, that's all the more reason to do it.