tie-rod end/rim clearance problem

[cj71z]

I lowered the car 1.5 inches with lowered springs, then I put everything back together and had no problems. Yesterday I installed some bump-steer spacers, put it back together and proceeded to go for a test drive. I heard a loud grinding noise from the front. It seems that the passenger side tie-rod end is now rubbing the inside corner of my 14x6 inch libres. Has anyone had this problem before? To the best of my knowledge the rims aren't bent as my parents were the original owners of this set. I have totally redone the front end(ball joints, tie-rod ends, urethane etc...) The new tie rods are exactly like the ones I removed previously. Any ideas???

Thanks

Chris

[dogma420]

i am not sure, but where are they rubbing? What springs did you use to lower 1.5 inches? I am interested. Thanks,

[mperdue]

Yup I had the same problem (see pic below). My solution? For now I took the bump steer spacers out. May need bigger wheels because as you can see the spacer increases the spacing between the hub and the bottom of the tie-rod end. Another solution is to machine the spacers thinner. Making them thinner will decrease their effectiveness but may be cheaper than getting new rims. BTW mine are also 14". I don't think the springs have much affect on this problem. Good luck.

Without spacer below:

[cj71z]

That's rubbing in the same palce as mine... I bought these used and now I see that VB sells them according to wheel size. Maybe these are for 15in wheels? I have a new cross member that I was going to modify to permanently solve the roll center and bumpsteer problems. I was going to take my time on it, but I guess it's going to have to be done soon.

[plutovitch]

Ahhhhhhh!

now I see why I was rubbing! did the same thing with VB bumpsteer spacers and they touched, couldnt figure out why (doh). I ended up putting on a pair of 8mm spacers so the ball joint clears. When I can afford it im going to 16' wheels, so the spacers will do for now.