Steering arm vs. wheel back spacing

K2KK · 07-04-09, 04:29 PM

I just installed my new used fj62 steering arm on my 40 and it looks good. My problem is that with my wheels back spacing it rubs on the tre boot and destroys it.

Question is...should I heat and bend the arm in a bit or get some of the wheel spacers(1") and install that and not bugger up the steering arm. I already have a 1/4" spacer on currently.

Are the wheel spacers that we see on adverts. any good? Strength? If the spacers are the way to go do I need 4 and include the rears or just have the front done?

Just a tid bit...when I installed the new arm the toe in was out by 2+ inches.

inkpot · 07-04-09, 05:15 PM

Howdy! I don't know anything about 62 series steering arms, but is there any chance you have them swapt lefty righty?? Are you running disc or drums on the front? How much offset on your wheels? Should be 3.75 - 3.5, but I am running 3.0 custom, and I have lots of room on mine. John

K2KK · 07-04-09, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkpot

Howdy! I don't know anything about 62 series steering arms, but is there any chance you have them swapt lefty righty?? Are you running disc or drums on the front? How much offset on your wheels? Should be 3.75 - 3.5, but I am running 3.0 custom, and I have lots of room on mine. John

Hey John. The arms are interchangable. Running discs on all 4. I thought about the wrong side being on there but they are both stamped L. So if it's the wrong side the original on this rebuild was wrong.
Not sure of the wheel backset. There was a write up on backset and measuring it. I'll look for it....K2

Cruiserdrew · 07-04-09, 10:41 PM

It just sounds like you have the wrong wheels. Measure the backspacing and report back. There is nothing special about the steering arms.

Bret · 07-05-09, 09:01 AM

Check the cast marks under the arms again, on mine they are marked L and R. If you had them reversed it might make more room for the tire but your steering would most likely be whacked.

I am running 10" wheels with 1/4" spacers and it's close, I think my rims have 3.75-4" BS

It sounds like you have two left arms from your first post, and I don't think they are interchangeable from left to right, from 60 to 62 probably.

K2KK · 07-05-09, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

It just sounds like you have the wrong wheels. Measure the backspacing and report back. There is nothing special about the steering arms.

Looks lilke the BS on mine are about 4 or 4 1/8" + -. If I measured correctly. Measurement is from the back of the center of the wheel to the outeredge.
The arm is marked "L" on the underside so it is the correct side. I would hate to have to get different wheels. They are just the black spoke wheels, but still. I also have one ton GM tre's and rods so the boots are a bit fatter and rub just on the DS.

Any comments about spacers? Pro's and con's?

Cruiserdrew · 07-05-09, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2KK

Looks lilke the BS on mine are about 4 or 4 1/8" + -. If I measured correctly. Measurement is from the back of the center of the wheel to the outeredge.
The arm is marked "L" on the underside so it is the correct side. I would hate to have to get different wheels. They are just the black spoke wheels, but still. I also have one ton GM tre's and rods so the boots are a bit fatter and rub just on the DS.

Any comments about spacers? Pro's and con's?

Cruiser backspacing should be 3.5 inches. That's likely your problem. Does the inner part of the wheel rub the caliper at all?

inkpot · 07-05-09, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Cruiser backspacing should be 3.5 inches. That's likely your problem. Does the inner part of the wheel rub the caliper at all?

He said he is already running 1/4" spacers, so I'm guessing

caliper clearance is why. It sounds like he has Chevy wheels @ 4" BS. That is such a common problem you'd think

Chevy would get their act together and design that stuff to match

Toyota. No wonder

they are bankrupt!?!?

John

K2KK · 07-05-09, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Cruiser backspacing should be 3.5 inches. That's likely your problem. Does the inner part of the wheel rub the caliper at all?

No the calipers do not rub. They are close though. I wanted to put the balance weights on the inside and it was to close for the flat stick on weights so they went on the inner edge of the rim. Looks like i need new wheels to do it right. Heck I'll be a little wider though... Thanks

K2KK · 07-05-09, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkpot

He said he is already running 1/4" spacers, so I'm guessing

caliper clearance is why. It sounds like he has Chevy wheels @ 4" BS. That is such a common problem you'd think

Chevy would get their act together and design that stuff to match

Toyota. No wonder

they are bankrupt!?!?

John

I think you are right inkpot. The PO set it up this way with the 1/4" spacer. And I have the wrong wheels...darn it all.

inkpot · 07-05-09, 03:01 PM

Well, ya got two options. Put a set of bigger spacers on it for now, as ya only need the two for the front. You can probably recapture 50%+ on the spacers when you get different wheels later. Just a thought. John

K2KK · 07-05-09, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkpot

Well, ya got two options. Put a set of bigger spacers on it for now, as ya only need the two for the front. You can probably recapture 50%+ on the spacers when you get different wheels later. Just a thought. John

I was thinking that as well John. That extra 1/4" just might do it. So that will be a 1/2" spacer. With the old arm the tre boot was a bit compressed and with the new arm and with a tighter taper on the arm just might be a temp fix for this problem on my rig.
I'll look for some tomorrow...and spare boots.
Thanks for your input...Keith

I need to get all this stuff secured for the TLCA McGrew run.

e rock · 07-07-09, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2KK

I was thinking that as well John. That extra 1/4" just might do it. So that will be a 1/2" spacer.

Here is where you'll have problems. IMO, those 1/4" plate spacers are usually fine as they still allow plenty of lug nut thread engagement. But I wouldn't stack them or run anything thicker. Even if you got longer studs so the lugnut engagement was ok, I'd be really leery of running it that way.

The best way to do spacers is the bolt-on type with new, offset studs. The issue you'll encounter is that they'll be 1.25" thick at the thinnest since they have to cover the end of your existing lug studs. IMO, this is still the way to go, just realize that the front end will be 2.5" wider than the rear.

K2KK · 07-07-09, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e rock

Here is where you'll have problems. IMO, those 1/4" plate spacers are usually fine as they still allow plenty of lug nut thread engagement. But I wouldn't stack them or run anything thicker. Even if you got longer studs so the lugnut engagement was ok, I'd be really leery of running it that way.

The best way to do spacers is the bolt-on type with new, offset studs. The issue you'll encounter is that they'll be 1.25" thick at the thinnest since they have to cover the end of your existing lug studs. IMO, this is still the way to go, just realize that the front end will be 2.5" wider than the rear.

After a bit of research I agree with you. I am looking at the Spidertrax spacers a 1 1/2"...thanks