Sway bar rub?

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Epic

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Hey guys. I have a 96 Sierra 2500 that I got some 24" Carbon Edition wheels on. Not sure what the back spacing on the wheels are, but they rub the sway bar when I turn sharp into parking spaces etc.


Obviously I can use wheel spacers, but i don't have enough experience w them to know if I should. Someone suggested to me, convert the brakes so I can have longer studs if I'm going to use a spacer. I plan to upgrade the brakes anyways, but it's not in the budget till later in the year.

I put it on the lift to see if there's enough room between the sway bar and frame in case somebody addressed this, but theres not enough to make much difference anyways.


My question is what did you or would you do to yours to address this? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 

DoubleTap

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Just an idea, you could look into aftermarket lower control arms and cut and re-weld the tabs, along with relocating the center mounting locations (probably forward)? I have used sway bar relocation kits (from companies like skyjacker) for lifted trucks, but that was vertical. But doing a proper wheel offset is the best solution. Spacers are a controversial second solution. When doing spacers, do them 100% right! Torque proper, clean the rust off the rotors and use new studs (ive never had to get longer studs) good luck
 

Epic

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Just an idea, you could look into aftermarket lower control arms and cut and re-weld the tabs, along with relocating the center mounting locations (probably forward)? I have used sway bar relocation kits (from companies like skyjacker) for lifted trucks, but that was vertical. But doing a proper wheel offset is the best solution. Spacers are a controversial second solution. When doing spacers, do them 100% right! Torque proper, clean the rust off the rotors and use new studs (ive never had to get longer studs) good luck

That's a good idea if it doesn't change the handling, I need to do some research on that, but I've got everything I need to do it if so.
 

Epic

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never use spacers. if you installed 24 in. wheels, its obvious you arent concerned about performance, so, why dont you remove the sway bar?

You're right, this one is intended more as a comfortable truck to cruise. I won't be doing much "spirited" driving, but I have a decent size enclosed trailer that I pull a couple times per week. You think it won't make any difference?
 

Redneckgeriatric

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a decent size enclosed trailer is probably a strain on the truck when stock, you are adding a gearing handicap with the larger wheels.

also note, can you trust the quality of material and manufacturing to not break when subjected to a constant tq from pulling/turning/stopping? thats a lot of leverage from the outside of the tire to the center wheel and hub/bearing.
 

someotherguy

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Those late-model wheels have so much backspacing that a slip-on spacer probably wouldn't be enough. A bolt-on spacer would likely get them where they need to be; probably 1" or so. Again, proper installation is key here, as well as quality.

Richard
 

Epic

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The truck pulls a loaded trailer surprisingly well, but honestly once I put all this work into it, I may end up with bigger truck anyways, but that'll be next year most likely.


Speaking of aftermarket control arms, does anybody make a set that would position the wheels further out?
 
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