Why are my tires rubbing after installation?

Experiencing tire rub after installing new wheels and tires is one of the most common fitment concerns, and in many cases it can be resolved without having to return anything. Here is a breakdown of the most common causes of tire rub and what you can do to address them.

The most common causes of tire rub

Tire rub happens when your tires make contact with your fenders, suspension components, or wheel wells. Here are the most frequent causes:

The tire size is too large for your current suspension setup
The wheel offset is too low, pushing the tire too far outward and into the fender
The wheel width is too wide for your current setup
Your suspension compresses while driving or turning, reducing clearance in ways that are not always visible during a static test fit
A lift kit or leveling kit that is not quite tall enough to accommodate the new tire size

Did you use our Easy Fit or Aggressive Fit options?

Understanding which fitment option you selected is important when it comes to diagnosing tire rub. Here is what to know:

Easy Fit options are guaranteed to bolt directly onto your vehicle with no rubbing and no trimming required. If you selected an Easy Fit and are experiencing rubbing, reach out to us right away and we will work to make it right
Aggressive Fit options are designed for a wider, more aggressive stance and may require some trimming or could result in some rubbing depending on your specific vehicle and suspension setup. Some rubbing or the need for minor trimming is expected with an Aggressive Fit purchase

Did you do a proper test fit?

A proper test fit is the best way to catch any rubbing or clearance issues before finalizing installation. Here is what to keep in mind:

A test fit involves hand tightening the lug nuts and slowly turning the steering wheel fully in both directions while checking for contact with fenders, suspension components, and wheel wells
Lower your vehicle off the jack stands during the test fit to simulate real world suspension compression
Any rubbing discovered during a test fit should be addressed before driving on the new setup
If tires have already been mounted and driven on, they are no longer eligible for return, so catching rubbing during the test fit is important

What can I do to fix tire rub?

Depending on the cause of the rubbing, there are several options to address it. Here is what to consider:

Trimming: Minor trimming of plastic fender liner or body trim is the most common fix for mild rubbing on aggressive setups. This is a routine modification for builds running wider or more aggressive fitments
Wheel spacers: Adding a small wheel spacer can sometimes help with inner clearance issues where the tire is rubbing against suspension components or brake hardware on the inside of the wheel
Lift or leveling kit: If your tires are rubbing due to insufficient clearance from your current suspension height, a lift kit or leveling kit can provide the additional clearance needed to run your new tire size without rubbing
Adjusting wheel offset: If you have not yet mounted tires, switching to a wheel with a slightly different offset may resolve the clearance issue

What if I selected an Easy Fit and am still experiencing rubbing?

If you selected an Easy Fit option through our guided fitment tool and are experiencing rubbing, we want to make it right. Here is what to do:

Do not continue driving on a setup that is rubbing, as this can cause damage to your tires, fenders, or suspension components
Contact us right away with your order number, your vehicle details including year, make, model, trim, and suspension setup, and a description of where the rubbing is occurring
Our team will review your order and work with you to find the best solution

What if I have modifications that may have affected fitment?

Every vehicle is modified differently, which means fitment can vary even between two trucks that are the same year, make, and model. Here is what to keep in mind:

If your vehicle has modifications beyond a standard lift or leveling kit, such as custom suspension components, fender flares, or body modifications, these can affect how a wheel and tire combination fits
Always provide as much detail as possible about your vehicle and its modifications when ordering to help our team make the most accurate fitment recommendation possible

If you are experiencing tire rub after installation and are not sure how to resolve it, contact us with your order number and a description of the issue and our team will be happy to help find the best solution for your specific setup!