I have an unexpected issue with my new Barnes 4WD aluminium tie rod. When the toe properly adjusted the wheel comes into contact with the jamb nut at full lock on both sides. I have wheels with 4.5" of backspacing as recommended. It seems like the bar is a little too long (I have the tie rod ends adjusted almost all the way in to get the proper toe). I'm trying to find a solution short of buying new wheels or ditching the tie rod.

I happen to have a set of 1/8" aluminum spacers sitting around from a previous car. I don't seem to find any reference to anyone ever running this on a JK. It seems to me that 1/8" is small enough to be of little consequence but...

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

Most folks don't have experience with that style wheel spacer. I've had a set and ran them for years on a car. Eventually they cracked because they were low grade aluminum (purchased from a local tire/ wheel shop) but as long as you'll have enough threads for your lug nut to get full engagement AND you regularly check to ensure they've not loosened up, you'll be fine.

I think the reply you'll see from others who have been around a while and have heard horror stories of these sandwich style spacers will be to adjust your steering stops if it won't take away too much travel, as you did say it was at full lock. They're easily adjusted and you'll just put a washer or two behind them and you're all set. No risk, no tough job, no routine inspections.

 

I've never used that style of spacer, although everything I've ever read has been about NOT using them. I think Karl's suggestion of limiting your steering with a few washers in the stop is a better route. For years I've used 3 washers in the steering stop and haven't missed the tiny bit of turning radius I lost. Best part is it's a 5 min fix.

 

Great advice on the adjusting the steering limits. I had not even thought of something like that!

 

wheel shims are another option. ive been running them along with the washer on the stops on my dd for the last 5 or 6 years with no problems.

 

Hmmmm... I don't know about you guys but my steering stops thread into the knuckles and are welded. Not adding any washers there. I tried the 1/8" spacers/shims that I had around and they do the trick. I'm going to have some new ones made specifically for the bolt pattern and hub diameter that will be much better than the multi-pattern type. Better metal quality as well (I'll probably still go with aluminium though). I can make some that are a 1/16" as well and I think they'll be enough.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Did you try to take them out? They look like they are welded, but they do unscrew.

 

Ditto. They come out but you would swear they were welded bolts but they are not.

 

The knuckle is threaded, they inset a bolt that has a nut on it. When it's in the right spot, they put a booger weld on the nut to keep it from moving. Just loosen the assembly up (it comes right out) and insert the washer behind it, then tighten it back down. It requires less work than spacers and it's insanely cheaper, while still as effective.

Your jeep though, we're just presenting options.

 

Hahahaha! All these years I thought the nut was welded to the knuckle and the stop tacked to the nut. Too funny. Took a look tonight and my stops don't even hit the axle. Added two washers and they still don't hit. I'll mess around more tomorrow. Looking like I'll need 4-5 washers to make a difference.

Thanks!