Front tire rubbing on tie rod end

[teamroper_60]

I have a 99 TXT and yesterday, I discovered the passenger side tire is rubbing against the tire rod end. I've had these tires on the cart since last summer and there was clearance at that time, so this is a new problem. I took the hub and spindle off to look them over and nothing is glaring at me like a bearing gone horribly bad or a bushing worn out. I am still inclined to think it is in the hub somehow though, since the tie rod end would stay constant if it were in the spindle (or so I think).

Has anyone experienced this before? Am I on the right track? Or is there something else I missed someplace?

[kellybell]

Have you lost alignment? If so, you could re align it by adjusting the tie rod end outward until the clearance issue stopped. You will eventually need to get it on a machine to check it. Also, you can try bolting up the wheel a little loose and try to shake to see if the hub is intact.

[kellybell]

since the tie rod end would stay constant if it were in the spindle

I disagree. If the spindle bent, just a little, it would create this problem.

[teamroper_60]

I tried that but it has no affect and after I did it and thought about it, it was obvious to me why.. The tie rod end is attached to the spindle, so changing the alignment doesn't change it's distance from the tire, regardless of alignment.

[kellybell]

Sorry for all the posts. Lastly, do you have a bent wheel on that side?

[kellybell]

Hmmmmm. I need a beer.......

[kellybell]

Try switching the wheels on the front end and see if the problem moves / goes away........

[teamroper_60]

Originally Posted by kellybell

I disagree. If the spindle bent, just a little, it would create this problem.

Nope. The spindle itself would actually have to bend in order for there to be a change there. Since it is a significant piece of metal and I have not hit anything, this isn't much of a possibility. But as I said, I did try that and then had a "DOH!" moment when I noticed that the tie rod end does not change it's distance from the tire, regardless of how much you change the alignment.

[kellybell]

Well, I was actually thinking about the spindle arm bending so it interfered with the tire.

[teamroper_60]

No, the wheel is not bent. As I said, I have had these tires/wheels on it since last summer. At that time, there was clearance. Not a lot but clearance. Now, the tie rod end is rubbing a groove in the tire sidewall. So the change is pretty dramatic.