If you’ve ever experienced tire rub when turning, you know how annoying it can be. This can cause damage to your tires and make your car difficult to drive.
In order to know how to fix tire rub when turning, it is important to know what the possible causes are and what to do to rectify the issue. Any recent changes to your wheels or tires are likely to be responsible. Otherwise it is most likely to be suspension issues or an extreme misalignment.
In this blog post, we will discuss what causes tire rub when turning and how to fix it. We will also provide a complete guide with step-by-step instructions on how to do it yourself!
Why are my tires rubbing when turning?
If you hear hear a rubbing noise coming from your tires when turning, it is most often created from your vehicle’s tires coming into contact with your fenders or bodywork. This can happen for a number of reasons.
How to check for tire rubbing
The easiest way to check for tire rubbing is to inspect your tires after driving. If you see any marks on the sides of your tires, this is an indication that they are rubbing against something. The marks usually appear as scratches or scrapes in the shoulder or the sidewall of the tire.
Another way to check for tire rub is to put your car in neutral and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. If you hear a rubbing noise, it’s likely that your tires are rubbing against something.
If you are able to diagnose that your tires are rubbing when turning, the next step is to figure out what is causing the problem.
What to do if tires rub when I turn
If you’re experiencing tire rub when turning, the first thing you should do is check your tires for any damage. If you see any marks on the sides of your tires, this is an indication that they are rubbing against something. The marks usually appear as scratches or scrapes in the shoulder or the sidewall of the tire.
If you see these marks, it’s important to take action to fix the problem as soon as possible. Tire rub can cause premature tire wear to your tires, damage to your vehicles fenders and bodywork and in some cases, it can even lead to a tire blowout.
Once you’ve inspected your tires for damage, the next step is to identify the cause of the tire rub. As we will mention, there are several potential causes of tire rub. The most common ones include mismatched tires, suspension problems, aftermarket wheels and oversized tires, and newly installed wheel spacers.
Potential causes of tire rubbing
There are a few different reasons why your tires may be rubbing when turning.
Mismatched tires
The first and most common cause of tire rub is mismatched tires. If you have different sizes or types of tires on your car, they will not roll evenly. This can cause the smaller or narrower tire to rub against the inside wall of the wheel.
Suspension problems
Another potential cause of tire rub is suspension problems. If your suspension is not functioning properly, it can cause the tires to rub against the fenders or bodywork when turning.
This is most often caused by worn out suspension components or a damaged suspension system, especially if the suspension has collapsed. This would cause the car to ride much lower than it should and lead to tire rubbing.
Aftermarket wheels and oversized tires
Another common cause of tire rub is after installing aftermarket wheels and oversized tires. If you have installed larger than stock wheels and tires on your car, they may not fit properly. This can cause the tires to rub against the fenders or suspension components when turning.
If you decide to customise your vehicle with new wheels and tires, the new tires may come with a different wheel offset. This will cause the new wheels to sit further out from the suspension, which may be causing the tire rub.
Newly installed Wheel spacers
If you have installed new wheel spacers, they may be causing your tires to rub when turning. This is because the new spacers will cause the wheels to sit further out from the suspension. This can lead to tire rub, especially if the spacer is too thick or if the wrong size spacer is used.
Improperly inflated tires
If your tires are not inflated to the proper pressure, they will be more likely to rub when turning. This is because the tire will be wider than it should be and will come into contact with the fender or suspension components. Always make sure that your tires are properly inflated before driving.
How to fix tire rub when turning
Now that we’ve gone over some of the potential causes of tire rub, let’s discuss how to fix it.
The first step is to identify the cause of the problem. If you have recently installed new larger wheels or wheel spacers, the chances are that these will be the reason for the tire rubbing.
If you have not recently changed anything on your car, and are not sure what is causing the tire rub, you can take your car to a mechanic or a suspension specialist for an inspection. They will be able to help you diagnose the problem and advise you on the best way to fix it.
Once you know what is causing the tire rub, the next step is to take action to fix it.
Mismatched tires
If mismatched tires are causing the problem, the easiest solution is to replace them with tires that are the same size and type. This will ensure that the tires roll evenly and prevent them from rubbing against the inside of the wheel.
Suspension problems
If suspension problems are causing the tire rub, you will need to have the suspension repaired or replaced. This is best done by a qualified mechanic or suspension specialist. Depending on the severity of the problem, it may be necessary to replace the entire suspension system.
Aftermarket wheels and oversized tires
If aftermarket wheels and oversized tires are causing the problem, you may need to replace them with smaller ones. Alternatively, you can have your fenders rolled or your suspension modified to accommodate the larger wheels and tires. These solutions should be done by a qualified mechanic or suspension specialist.
Newly installed Wheel spacers
If wheel spacers are causing the problem, you will need to remove them and install the proper size spacer. This is best done by a qualified mechanic or suspension specialist.
Improperly inflated tires
If your tires are not inflated properly, you will need to inflate them to the proper pressure. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your car in the owner’s manual. Once you have inflated the tires, make sure to check the pressure regularly to ensure that they stay at the correct level.
Extreme misalignment
In some cases, extreme misalignment can cause tire rub. This is usually the result of an accident or a suspension failure.
If you suspect that this is the cause of the problem, you should take your car to a qualified mechanic or suspension specialist for an inspection. They will be able to tell you if the problem can be fixed and advise you on the best course of action.
The risks and dangers of tire rubbing
Tire rub can cause a number of problems, both to your car and to yourself. If the problem is not fixed, it can lead to premature tire wear, suspension damage, and even accidents. Tire rubbing can cause your tire and wheels to experience uneven wear and friction.
This can lead to your tires being unbalanced and can cause your car to vibrate. If the problem is severe, it can even cause your tire to blow out while you are driving. This is why it is so important to fix tire rub as soon as you notice it.
Tire rub can also be dangerous. If the tires rub while you are driving, they can generate a lot of heat. This can cause the tires to fail, which can lead to a loss of control and an accident.
It is important to fix tire rub as soon as you notice it. The longer you wait, the more damage it can do to your car and the more dangerous it becomes. If you are not sure how to fix the problem, take your car to a qualified mechanic or suspension specialist. They will be able to help you fix the problem and prevent it from happening again.
Conclusion
Tire rub can be a annoying problem, but it is usually fairly easy to fix once you know what is causing it. If you are having trouble diagnosing the problem, or if you cannot fix it yourself, take your car to a qualified mechanic or suspension specialist. They will be able to help you fix the problem so that you can get back on the road.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!
Is it expensive to fix a tire that is rubbing?
Depending on the cause, it could be a simple and cheap fix such as inflating your tires to the correct pressure, or replacing/removing newly installed wheel spacers. However if it is suspension damage, it could be expensive, up to the tune of $1000 dollars.
Will an alignment fix tire rubbing?
It is possible that if you have not had an alignment in the past few years, it may be that having your wheel aligned will rectify your tire rubbing issue.