Front tires suddenly rubbing. Looks like front end is dropped but nothing obvious

[jeepguy4276]

Pulling out of a parking space, I turned the the wheel all the way and there was a load rubbing. It wasn't making the sound 15 min before. I looked and it looks like the front tire is about half an inch from the fender liner when straight on both sides I don't remember them ever being that close. You can see rub marks on the inside of the fender liner. The marks are on the inside near the bottom of the liner and sheet metal. The tires are 235/70-16. I have never heard this and the marks are new.

Basically it looks like the front was lowered. The ride is really rough and it feels like both front and back are bottoming out. This is totally a new issue. I decided to start driving it more. It was fine all day and then this happend. It's fine going straight or reverse as long as the wheel isn't turned. The right side is worse or at least that's where it's loudest but both sides rub.

I've broken springs before on vehicles but the vehicle had no cushion to it. Is it possible the struts blew? Looking around briefly, I don't see anything obvious wrong.

Last 2 pics are left side, others are right side.

So, any ideas?

 

[tommudd]

Measure middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare first thing
I've had them come here with same size tires similar noises and they are sitting 1.5-1.75 inches below new stock height
You don't mention year or how many miles but the one mentioned above only had 75,000 on it and was an o 07.
Springs sag very slowly so while you may not of noticed anything it could of been getting lower and lower. More better pictures would help as well

 

[Birdman330]

I agree with what Tom has said, but possible the mounts may have given way too there is that possibility.

 

[jeepguy4276]

I measured and the height is the same 19" it's been at. I had the wheels off and done some work on it a couple months ago and there were no rub marks than and things looked ok for the most part, a couple bushings needing replacement on the sway bar. I'll post more pics.

I'm not sure how to post more than one at a time.

 

[jeepguy4276]

Another. You can see the rub mark if you look close.

 

[jeepguy4276]

Left side

 

[jeepguy4276]

Why are all these pics coming thru upside down?? Lol

 

[02blue]

Looks like the wheel is way forward in the wheel well. I'm not an expert but it just looks that way to me compared to mine. I'd get in the air and see if anything is loose.

 

[CzarKJ]

Agreed. Possibly lower control arm mount is bent? Hard to do but not impossible.

 

[jeepguy4276]

Agreed. Possibly lower control arm mount is bent? Hard to do but not impossible.

On both sides though? It just seams weird. That's one idea though. Thanks! I hope to have time to get it in the air this weekend.

 

[Birdman330]

You could have bushing that has dry rotted out and caused the control arms to shift as well, best thing to do is have a full out alignment check on the vehicle with a Caster Readout, its off if you have rubbing going on when you turn the wheel.

 

[jeepguy4276]

Ok. Here's some pics of the lower control arm bushings. I can't see anything that is broken or bent. I'm thinking the lower control arm bushings are letting things move back and forth. Opinions?



Right rear of front lca:

 

[jeepguy4276]

Front of right front lca:

 

[jeepguy4276]

Front of left front lca:

 

[jeepguy4276]

Rear of left front lca: