Help - new ridge grapplers rubbing against REAR of front wheel wells on downslope turns

[DS470]

Hi, we just took our new (to us) 2004 GX470 offroading today for the first time & noticed some significant rubbing on the rear of the front wheel wells while turning during a downslope.

It has 285/70/17 ridge grapplers on 2020 TRDs, Bilsteins and unknown springs for lift (I think 2"?). UCA is stock I believe & some cracking at various bushings. It has 215K miles.

Can anyone please recommend a course of action before I just break out the dremmel?

Thanks

 

[BlackCat]

Aftermarket upper control arms to push the caster forward.

 

[DS470]

Aftermarket upper control arms to push the caster forward.

Thanks, any suggestions for occasional offroading / mostly on-road use?

 

[drowzyGX]

Thanks, any suggestions for occasional offroading / mostly on-road use?

Yes, aftermarket upper control arms to push the caster forward. This is your solution.

 

[DS470]

Yes, aftermarket upper control arms to push the caster forward. This is your solution.

Oh cool, so they're all the same?

 

[Jstawgn]

The lower control arm bushing might be worn and become too soft. Also aftermarket UCA bring the top of the knuckle further back and actually reduce clearance. Your lower control arm need to be set for maximum caster. This is done by adjusting front cam bolt in and rear cam bolt out as much as possible.

 

[BlackCat]

The lower control arm bushing might be worn and become too soft. Also aftermarket UCA bring the top of the knuckle further back and actually reduce clearance. Your lower control arm need to be set for maximum caster. This is done by adjusting front cam bolt in and rear cam bolt out as much as possible.

Yes, technically positive caster does move the upper ball joint back towards the drivers door, but it moves the wheel centerline angle forward towards the front bumper. It 100% does NOT reduce clearance if adjusted properly. I run nearly 4° positive caster using my total chaos uppers on my lifted GX, which allows me to run a 0 offset wheel and 33’s with no rubbing and no body mount chop, and drastically reduces wandering and general squirrellyness trucks have with neutral or negative caster on highways.
It’s one of the main reasons people with lifted IFS trucks use aftermarket upper arms.

 

[BlackCat]

Thanks, any suggestions for occasional offroading / mostly on-road use?

If it were me, and you’re not off road much and want worry free, low maintenance upper arms, I’d do something without a uni-ball like SPC.

 

[DS470]

If it were me, and you’re not off road much and want worry free, low maintenance upper arms, I’d do something without a uni-ball like SPC.

Thanks! Will look at those.

 

[Tanner H]

Upper control arms wont fix that. i had your exact same setup. same wheels, 285/70's, factory arms. lift. No rubbing at all.

I'd be looking at replacement lower control arms. chances are if you have 215k and on the factory lower arms, the bushing in there are gone and are pushing back the wheel as you turn. I'd hate for you to spend several hundred dollars on upper arms and still have the same problem.

Here is a photo back then. trd pro's with 285/70' and stock upper arms. You can see plenty of room.

 

[sammzway]

Best solution for you is sell me those wheels and rubber and buy a new setup. Lol. I’ve been searching for those wheels for a while.

 

[DS470]

Upper control arms wont fix that. i had your exact same setup. same wheels, 285/70's, factory arms. lift. No rubbing at all.

I'd be looking at replacement lower control arms. chances are if you have 215k and on the factory lower arms, the bushing in there are gone and are pushing back the wheel as you turn. I'd hate for you to spend several hundred dollars on upper arms and still have the same problem.

Here is a photo back then. trd pro's with 285/70' and stock upper arms. You can see plenty of room.

Wow, yeah. Massive difference between yours and mine... I think you nailed it. I may do upper and lower assuming both are running on the original bushings - it's only a matter of time, especially if replacing lowers puts more strain on the upper bushings. Great reply, thank you.

Best solution for you is sell me those wheels and rubber and buy a new setup. Lol. I’ve been searching for those wheels for a while.

Ha! Was a random Craigslist find a few weeks ago. I grabbed $ and hit the road that afternoon for a 2 hour drive to get them. Very happy.