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When turning the front tires rub on the inside of the wheel wells

Tiny
RICH NORBY
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 134,000 MILES
When turning the steering wheel to the left, the left tire rubs on the back side of the wheel well and the right tire rubs on the front side of the wheel well. Would this indicate that the steering rack is out of alignment to the left? If rack is out of alignment how is that corrected? I’ll attach photos. Photo with tire shown is left front and with no tire right front.
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Monday, February 14th, 2022 AT 10:40 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

There could be a number of reasons why the tire is rubbing the wheel well.
It could be due to an incorrect tire/wheel setup. Faulty shocks or springs or other suspension components that are making the vehicle drive at a lower height than it was originally designed to do.
It can also happen if there is any damage to the suspension.

Have you recently changed wheels/tires?

Any accidents?

Did this just start all of a sudden without any warning?

Please let me know a few more details of what you have been experiencing.

Thank you.
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Monday, February 14th, 2022 AT 2:49 PM
Tiny
RICH NORBY
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  • 30 POSTS
The tires are the size specified for the car and the wheels are original. I have installed new shocks. The car was in a collision on the passenger side door column before I bought it and repaired it. The right front tire is showing wear on the outside tread. The last set off tires wore out at 30,000 also wearing on outside tread. I tried to get an alignment, but they could not get the left tie rod adjustment loose. I cut the old inner and outer tie rod off the left side and installed a new one. I have set toe as close as I can before I get another alignment. I think alignment will help but not stop the tire rubbing on the inside of the tire and the wheel well. Steering rack issues? Can rack be adjusted?
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Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
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The excessive wear on the tire points to alignment issue. However, as you know, what won't make the tire rub on the inner fender.

You might want to make sure there is nothing loose on the inner fender well in case that is causing the rubbing.

The majority of the time when the tire rubs, it is due to the vehicle being too low or having a incorrect amount of offset to the wheels (but since the wheels are factory, we can rule out the offset).

Does the vehicle sit evenly on all four corners?
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Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 AT 2:16 PM
Tiny
RICH NORBY
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
I’ll check the fender wells and check the 4corners for equal height. Visually they appear to be good, I will confirm and get back to you. Thanks for your suggestions.
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Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
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You can use a tape measure, to measure from the ground to the top of the fender arch. It will give you a good indication. Both front and both rears should be the same. Also, you can measure it with the wheel all the way turned to both directions. It will tell you if the vehicle is ''losing'' height when the wheels are turned and causing it to rub.
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Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
RICH NORBY
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
I have taken my Kia Sportage to get an alignment after replacing inner and outer tie rods on the driver side. I’m now being told that the steering rack is damaged and needs to be replaced. I already know that it will be too expensive and I can’t afford it. I’ve watched videos on how to remove the steering rack but not having much luck finding one for Kia Sportage 2010 lx 2.7l. Any idea where I might find info on how to replace the steering rack? Thanks, Rich
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Saturday, March 5th, 2022 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
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Hey Rich, I have attached the steering rack replacement procedure below. It does require removing the subframe to get out.
Let me know of any questions.
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Saturday, March 5th, 2022 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
RICH NORBY
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Hey Sean, I was able to remove and replace the steering rack on the 2010 Kia Sportage without removing the sub frame. I removed the air filter box and hoses to get to the rear motor mount bolt. I jacked the engine up just enough to take pressure off the bolt to remove it. Then raised the engine high enough to be able to reach the rack bolts. The top bolts were the toughest to reach. Used a shallow #17 mm socket and a cut off 3/4 bolt with the end squared off to to fit into the socket, then used a 3/4 in. Open end wrench to remove the bolts. I also had to unbolt the exhaust pipe from the manifold to get room to get to the passenger side bracket. Interesting project but glad it’s done. Also had an alignment done all is good. Now I’m trying to figure out how to in stall a temperature gauge since the car only has a idiot light. Any suggestions on where I would put a sensor? Thanks again for your help.
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Sunday, March 20th, 2022 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
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Hey Rich,
Glad you got it fixed and without removing the sub frame.
For the temperature gauge, many of these vehicles come with a digital temperature readout that can be accessed by going through the display on the gauge cluster. Do you not have that option?
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Sunday, March 20th, 2022 AT 11:17 PM
Tiny
RICH NORBY
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
I don’t think so, the car is basically just warning lights. I was wondering if there would be somewhere on the engine that I could install a temperature sensor and install a wire to a gauge.
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Monday, March 21st, 2022 AT 10:20 AM
Tiny
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You might be able to tap onto the existing temperature sensor and have it hooked up to a gauge.
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Monday, March 21st, 2022 AT 1:32 PM

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