Rubbing tires on 4x4

madscientist101 · 08-19-2005, 07:37 PM

there is probly a old thread with this question but i was not able to find it. When ever i turn ether direction on my 2dr 91 Blazer withthe 4wheel drive on, high or low, i experience the front wheels rubbing and make it harder to drive in any gears . It sux since its a Manual 5spd. I had the same problems on my 88 pickup automatic transmition. In both vehicals I didn't have stock size tires. My Blazer tire, stock size: 205/75/15, current size: 215/75/15. does the size tire make a difference? I am not planning on changing tires but is there a quick fix??

BravadaAWD · 08-20-2005, 07:20 AM

The tire size you are using should not be the issue, my 92 Bravada had 235/75/15 as the OE tire. Being in or out of 4x should not make a difference either.
If you have different wheels that have the wrong backspacing you can get rubbing while turning but it should happen all of the time, being in or out of 4x should not make a difference.
Have someone drive your Blaze around you in in a parking lot, you can watch to see if there is actually tire rub.
I think you may have an issue with the front differental, drive shaft or front drive axles when the 4x is engaged.

Still Buildin · 08-23-2005, 10:43 PM

well if you are driving on pavement, or anything other than ice, snow or in mud you will be not rubbing, but scrubbing your front tires off. the front end of a 4x4 is geared fractionally lower than your rear end, for more traction and torque. By driving on a solid surface such as concrete you are turning your front tires slower than your back ones creating a rubbing sound. this is why you don't experience this in 2wd. so to avoid buying twice as many tires don't drive on such surfaces. that is my take on it. hope it helps.

madscientist101 · 08-24-2005, 06:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Still Buildin

well if you are driving on pavement, or anything other than ice, snow or in mud you will be not rubbing, but scrubbing your front tires off. the front end of a 4x4 is geared fractionally lower than your rear end, for more traction and torque. By driving on a solid surface such as concrete you are turning your front tires slower than your back ones creating a rubbing sound. this is why you don't experience this in 2wd. so to avoid buying twice as many tires don't drive on such surfaces. that is my take on it. hope it helps.

I don't use the 4x4 on dry pavement. I experienced this rubbing on every road pavemet(snow/icy/dirt/mud/rain). I couldn't even make it on the main raod in a blazer outside of school and i had problems turning. It feels like its rubbing when i cut the wheel. It loosens when I am turning to make it go straight, depending how far i turn in and out depends how much harder it is to move because of the rubbing feeling. I am just a beginner with axels but does the front axel have a LSD or posi traction stock? Is this why its harder to turn in any direction in 4wheel?

madscientist101 · 08-24-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by madscientist101

I don't use the 4x4 on dry pavement. I experienced this rubbing on every type of raod condition(icy/snow/wet/dirt roads). I couldn't make it on the main raod outside of school and i had problems turning. It feels like its rubbing when i cut the wheel. It loosens when I am turning to make it go straight, deending how far i turn in and out depends how much harder it is to move because of the rubbing feeling. I am just a beginner with axels but does the front axel have a LSD or posi traction stock? Is this why its harder to turn in any direction in 4wheel???

Opps wrong button

GoneMuddin1 · 08-24-2005, 08:55 PM

it all has to do with the fact the the front and rear axles are trying to rotate at the same speed becuase there is no center diff. When turning the front and rear axles turn on different radii. This happens on all 4x4's not equipped with a center diff, or the center diff locked. Its normal so dont worry about it, but i would suggest not to drive it on hard surfaces in 4wd.

08-19-2005, 07:37 PM	#1
madscientist101 A4, A5, A6, A8 ASE Cert Age: 27 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 374 Location: Brick, NJ User is: OffLine	Rubbing tires on 4x4 there is probly a old thread with this question but i was not able to find it. When ever i turn ether direction on my 2dr 91 Blazer withthe 4wheel drive on, high or low, i experience the front wheels rubbing and make it harder to drive in any gears . It sux since its a Manual 5spd. I had the same problems on my 88 pickup automatic transmition. In both vehicals I didn't have stock size tires. My Blazer tire, stock size: 205/75/15, current size: 215/75/15. does the size tire make a difference? I am not planning on changing tires but is there a quick fix??
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-20-2005, 07:20 AM	#2
BravadaAWD Phoenix Age: 51 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 505 Location: Central IA User is: OffLine	Re: Rubbing tires on 4x4 The tire size you are using should not be the issue, my 92 Bravada had 235/75/15 as the OE tire. Being in or out of 4x should not make a difference either. If you have different wheels that have the wrong backspacing you can get rubbing while turning but it should happen all of the time, being in or out of 4x should not make a difference. Have someone drive your Blaze around you in in a parking lot, you can watch to see if there is actually tire rub. I think you may have an issue with the front differental, drive shaft or front drive axles when the 4x is engaged.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-23-2005, 10:43 PM	#3
Still Buildin Still Buildin Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Rubbing tires on 4x4 well if you are driving on pavement, or anything other than ice, snow or in mud you will be not rubbing, but scrubbing your front tires off. the front end of a 4x4 is geared fractionally lower than your rear end, for more traction and torque. By driving on a solid surface such as concrete you are turning your front tires slower than your back ones creating a rubbing sound. this is why you don't experience this in 2wd. so to avoid buying twice as many tires don't drive on such surfaces. that is my take on it. hope it helps.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-24-2005, 06:29 PM	#4
madscientist101 A4, A5, A6, A8 ASE Cert Age: 27 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 374 Location: Brick, NJ User is: OffLine	Re: Rubbing tires on 4x4 Quote: Originally Posted by Still Buildin well if you are driving on pavement, or anything other than ice, snow or in mud you will be not rubbing, but scrubbing your front tires off. the front end of a 4x4 is geared fractionally lower than your rear end, for more traction and torque. By driving on a solid surface such as concrete you are turning your front tires slower than your back ones creating a rubbing sound. this is why you don't experience this in 2wd. so to avoid buying twice as many tires don't drive on such surfaces. that is my take on it. hope it helps. I don't use the 4x4 on dry pavement. I experienced this rubbing on every road pavemet(snow/icy/dirt/mud/rain). I couldn't even make it on the main raod in a blazer outside of school and i had problems turning. It feels like its rubbing when i cut the wheel. It loosens when I am turning to make it go straight, depending how far i turn in and out depends how much harder it is to move because of the rubbing feeling. I am just a beginner with axels but does the front axel have a LSD or posi traction stock? Is this why its harder to turn in any direction in 4wheel? Last edited by madscientist101; 08-24-2005 at 06:34 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-24-2005, 06:31 PM	#5
madscientist101 A4, A5, A6, A8 ASE Cert Age: 27 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 374 Location: Brick, NJ User is: OffLine	Re: Rubbing tires on 4x4?? Quote: Originally Posted by madscientist101 I don't use the 4x4 on dry pavement. I experienced this rubbing on every type of raod condition(icy/snow/wet/dirt roads). I couldn't make it on the main raod outside of school and i had problems turning. It feels like its rubbing when i cut the wheel. It loosens when I am turning to make it go straight, deending how far i turn in and out depends how much harder it is to move because of the rubbing feeling. I am just a beginner with axels but does the front axel have a LSD or posi traction stock? Is this why its harder to turn in any direction in 4wheel??? Opps wrong button Last edited by madscientist101; 08-24-2005 at 06:32 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-24-2005, 08:55 PM	#6
GoneMuddin1 '94 S-10 Blazer 4x4 Age: 27 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 401 Location: Lewisville, NC User is: OffLine	Re: Rubbing tires on 4x4 it all has to do with the fact the the front and rear axles are trying to rotate at the same speed becuase there is no center diff. When turning the front and rear axles turn on different radii. This happens on all 4x4's not equipped with a center diff, or the center diff locked. Its normal so dont worry about it, but i would suggest not to drive it on hard surfaces in 4wd.
	[Reply w/Quote]

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