All right guys, I’ve been browsing around here for months now and first of all let me say thank you to everyone who adds anything at all to this site. I wouldn't be able to make it through the work day with out it.

Okay, about 2 months ago I bought a set of Mickey Thompson ATZ's size 325/60/18 for a VERY low price off eBay. I was worried they were too wide for the factory rim, so a couple weeks ago I got some Weld Cheyenne 18x8.5 wheels off eBay. I measured the backspacing on the rims and they are 6.125”.

Well tonight I was finally ready to put them on and the D*** tire is rubbing against the knuckle on the back side of the wheel! Every time I would rotate the wheel with my hands I could hear it squeaking.

Is there anything I can do? I have already bought the 2” autospring, but I’m having trouble finding someone who will help me put it on. Will this even help my problem? Also, I got to thinking, maybe if I took the truck off the jack with the tire on, this would help the problem? I’m I simply going to have to put the tires/wheels back on eBay where I found them?

 

That is alot of tire that you have there. I wouldnt sell them if I didnt have to. Have you thought about getting a 4" suspension lift? I dont believe that they will fit with just the leveling kit. Maybe Wandell with respond to this.

 

I've read alot of threads where many F150's are running this tire on an 18"X9" rim with the 2" AS leveling kit with no problems. Most of the info I've seen even has less backspace then yours. Wandell will be trustworthy.

 

have u tried some wheel spacers? my 35's rubbed the upper ctl arm too. i used about 3/8" spacer and had to trim the lower bumper valance to make it work. but u still might need a smaller tire.

 

A lot of guy's tried that size tire on a stock wheel and it may work but not recommened. Stock wheels are about an inch to narrow.

 

Are you saying the tire is rubbing the top of the knuckle (where the upper ball joint is)? It looks like there is space between there. The wheels on my Expy have 6.7 inches of backspacing and my 305/45-22's are not rubbing. It's close, but there is plently of clearance. I know there may be differences in an Expy vs. F-150, but I've seen the same wheel/tire combo as mine on F-150's.

 

Yes, it is rubbing on the top knuckle. The picture is a little bit deceiving because there is absolutely no space there. However, it is not really forced up against it that hard. I could still rotate the tire with my hands almost effortlessly when it was on the jack. Will putting on my 2" AS even help? Maybe I should have taken it off the jack and tested it?

 

Put the 2'' AS on and if that doesnt do it get a wheel spacer. I have a 2'' AS and 325-60-18 with no rubbing what so ever and I can turn lock to lock.

 

You also have about an inch less backspacing on your Helo's don't you? 5 3/8" ?

 

This is exactly what i was wondering.

 

Well Riddoch, I am picking up my 18x9, 6 3/8" Bs wheels with 325/60-18 Toyo Open County AT's on Thursday. I'll let you know if they rub, as they are a similar setup to yours. Fortunately, I haven't paid them a dime yet hehe.

 

It's clearance to the end of the control arm/ball joint. A lift kit won't move that. I would install a spacer - you have enough backspacing that it won't matter - 1/4" minimum, 3/8" probably perfect, 1/2" maximum. That will give you the clearance to the rub point.

 

Did you check to make sure the wheel wasn't warped? Does it squeak all the way around when turning? Does the right front rub too?

 

No, I didn't make a point to rotate it all the way around, but I probably went about half way around and it had a consistent rub. I didn't even bother putting the other wheel on after I saw the first one did not fit. I've decided to just be patient and wait until I get the AS on to try and put the tires back on.

 

Is anyone out there running these wheel spacers or has anyone tried them?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/wheel...mZ170080173175

What is the general consensus on wheel spacers? Good? Bad? Solution to my problem?
Would I need all four or will a 1/4" difference in the front and back be unnoticeable?
If you couldn't tell I’m working on a budget here...