Help - Front Left Tire rubs steering linkage

[truckjunky87]

Just got my '69 F250 4x4 delivered. I had to buy the truck unseen but spoke with the owner in length about. Now I'm just going through and finding out about all of the "fogot to tell you" items. The first thing I noticed as I tried to pull into the driveway was the front left tire rubs the balljoint on the steering linkage. Anyone else have this problem? The tires are not oversized by any means so I don't know why I would have a rubbing issue.

[FORDification]

I'd venture a guess that the rim was replaced with one with more backspacing, making it sit farther inboard. Try swapping a different wheel/tire on it and see if there's any more clearance.

[heep70]

Keith is right, sounds like maybe some has put a rim on with a different back spacing.

I had the same problem when I put the "camper special" rims on the front of my Ford. I had to do a bit of grinding to the ball joint.

[willowbilly3]

Any variation from the stock 7.50x16s will result in "the rub" Even stock tires may do it under certain conditions.

[truckjunky87]

The guy had 315/75R16 on it and claimed it was a daily driver but he must have never needed to make a right turn in it because the rub is awful. Looks like I need to start looking for a new tire & wheel package.

[willowbilly3]

And the power steering from a 78-79

[NM5K]

Any variation from the stock 7.50x16s will result in "the rub" Even stock tires may do it under certain conditions.

Mine always has done that, and on both sides equally. It did it on the *stock* 7.50x16 bias ply, and it does it now with the current 235x85x16 radials I'm running. The rub is just enough to shine up a stripe around the tire on the insides. I've never really worried about it as I can't notice anything driving, and it doesn't hurt the tire. I *guess* it happens when you lock the steering to one side or the other, but I've never actually checked. Anyway, unless it's really gouging the tire, I wouldn't worry about it. Just a "shine stripe" is no problem. I consider it normal on mine, as there is nothing I can do to fix it. My whole front end is rebuilt, the alignment is dang near absolutely perfect, and it still does the *rub* the exact same way as it did before the front end rebuild. Nothing changed.
So unless it's really bad and it actually is shredding rubber in small bits, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine is just a shine. No rubber ever comes off in small bits...MK

[truckjunky87]

I'm going to pull the wheels off tonight and measure the backspacing so that I know where I need to go on my next set. Like I said before, I think the previous owner just threw on some spare wheels and tires before he sold it and I now have this problem. I take it that the stock rims were a 16x7 8hole on 6.5" dia. Anyone know what the backspacing on them were?

[willowbilly3]

I think the stock rims were 6 inches wide if they were 16s, and would have been split rims. By 73 some were coming with 16.5s but not sure if any 72 and older ever came with them.

[NM5K]

My original wheels were the 16 inch split rims, but I forgot the width, etc...
I replaced them with stock 16 inch one piece rims, and 16 inch radials.
"235x85x16". My new size is almost identical to the stock tires and wheels. Being mine did it even with the stock rims and tires, switching rims, or tires would not automatically be a sure fix. Mine has never had oversize wheels or tires. Many would consider my 85's as pretty narrow...MK

[MudinMan4x4]

wont hurt a thing...Mine does it when the trucks turning to the right and it leaning alittle.......grease it up and it seem to make the rub smoother next i'll be breaking out the grinder but it doesnt bother me much.....