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Tires rubbing against the wheel well when turning or hitting bumps: Causes & How to Fix It

If your vehicle is showing tires rubbing against the wheel well when turning or hitting bumps, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.

Most likely causes

Oversized Tires or Incorrect Wheel Offsetaddress soon

Installing tires that are larger than factory specifications or wheels with the wrong offset pushes the tire outward or inward, causing it to contact the wheel well or fender during turns or suspension travel.

Worn or Sagging Suspensionaddress soon

Over time, shocks, struts, and coil springs lose their ability to support the vehicle's weight. This causes the vehicle to sit lower and the suspension to compress too much over bumps, allowing the tire to hit the wheel well.

Loose or Damaged Inner Fender Linerminor

The plastic splash shield inside the wheel well can come loose due to missing retaining clips, improper reassembly after maintenance, or impact damage. When loose, it hangs down and rubs against the tire.

Worn Control Arm Bushings or Ball Jointsurgent

Severely worn suspension bushings or ball joints allow the wheel assembly to shift backward or outward under load. This excessive movement can cause the tire to rub the inner fender when turning or braking.

Incorrect Wheel Alignmentaddress soon

If the caster or camber is severely out of specification (often after hitting a curb or improper suspension work), the wheel may sit too far forward or backward in the wheel well, leading to rubbing during tight turns.

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