Notices
Modified JK Tech Tech related bulletin board forum regarding subjects such as suspension, tires & wheels, steering, bumpers, skid plates, drive train, cages, on-board air and other useful modifications that will help improve the performance and protection of your Jeep JK Wrangler (Rubicon, Sahara, Unlimited and X) on the trail.

PLEASE DO NOT START SHOW & TELL TYPE THREADS IN THIS FORUM

Lod Rear Bumper Question - Rear tire secure?

Thread Tools
 
Old 09-28-2009, 09:05 AM
  #1  
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
 
pkess3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Lod Rear Bumper Question - Rear tire secure?

Is the spare tire when mounted to the Lod Generation II rear bumper supposed to be snug against the carrier rack? The reason I ask is that I'm using the factory rubicon wheels with 34" Goodyear MTR's and in order to do so I'm using a spare tire adapter since it doesn't have the proper back spacing. As a result of this there is about an inch of space between the spare tire and the tire carrier rack. I noticed the tire was vibrating a lot at highway speeds and after offroading the adjustable spare holder bolt starts to squeak and gets loose allowing some free play with the spare. I have since tightened this bolt and tried installing some rubber stoppers to hold it snug against the carrier but this has seemed to worsen how badly the entire carrier wobbles when driving at highway speeds. Now instead of just the tire vibrating badly the whole rack vibrates with it.

What should I do? I'm just afraid that the continued wobbling will eventually tear the carrier or apart.
Old 09-28-2009, 10:38 AM
  #2  
JK Super Freak
 
sully151's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: RSM CA.
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Your tire needs to butt up tight against the carrier. If not, it will rattle, shake and could eventually do damage.

Do you have the coupler for the tire bolted into the hole closest to the carrier? I think there are 3 holes.

If so, I would contact LoD and see if they can make a new coupling for you so you can get the tire tight against the carrier.
Old 09-28-2009, 10:56 AM
  #3  
JK Enthusiast
 
hvilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Chihuahua
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

pkess3>

I had the same problem as you... and I also didn't like that you only had three connecting bolts with the frame of the tire carrier.

So what I did is I had a shop fabricate me an extension that will be a correct fit. No more vibrations whatsoever. And I even had them make a square that will take advange of the four holes that are available in the back...

Do you want some pics about this?

Hans
Old 09-28-2009, 12:42 PM
  #4  
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
 
pkess3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Pics are always good!

So it sounds like I need to have it snug against the carrier somehow. Would drilling a new hole in the part that extends out from the carrier be an option? A hole that would allow a factory wheel with the adaptor to be snug? The only thing I don't like about this is that to access the hi-lift jack I will have to take off the spare tire. Does anyone find this to be an issue or know of a way to work around it? Or am I being too picky and should just be happy that you can mount a hi-lift period?
Old 09-28-2009, 01:16 PM
  #5  
JK Super Freak
 
So_Cal_Tay_12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

#1 rule for offroad parts, almost everything is supposed to be a snug fit, or else you'll lose it on the trail and/or be annoyed by the rattling noises. I learned this the hard way with my carrier, took forever to get it right but im glad i did.
Old 09-28-2009, 03:34 PM
  #6  
JK Enthusiast
 
armandov99's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Wait, what? The LOD tire carrier doesn't work with stock wheels? I didn't realize that...I am supposed to get mine any day now but it'll probably be a few months before I get wheels and tires.

How are all the people using stock wheels with larger tires dealing with this?
Old 09-28-2009, 04:14 PM
  #7  
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
 
pkess3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by armandov99
Wait, what? The LOD tire carrier doesn't work with stock wheels? I didn't realize that...I am supposed to get mine any day now but it'll probably be a few months before I get wheels and tires.

How are all the people using stock wheels with larger tires dealing with this?
Are you running stock tire size? If so you'll be fine. The issue comes up when you've got a larger tire and stock wheel. I'm running 34's with my stock Rubicon wheels. I had to have an adapter for it to work with my factory tire carrier so I've had the adapter for a while.
Old 09-28-2009, 04:28 PM
  #8  
JK Enthusiast
 
jkrubi09's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I mounted the two L shaped brackets so that the tire snugs up against them. I don't think it actually hits the carrier itself. I also welded the mounting bracket instead of that litlle bolt they give you to hold it together. Mine does not rattle or anything.
Old 09-29-2009, 04:26 AM
  #9  
Sponsoring Manufacturer
 
LōD Offroad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The tire has to be mounted so that when you tighten down the lug nuts it pulls the tire itself against the tire carrier making the tire very tight. Never mount the tire so that it is hanging out there by itself or every bump you hit will cause the tire to vibrate. This is why Chrysler put the isolators on the back of the door, so that it keeps the tire from vibrating. Below is a pic of the L-Brackets that make contact with the factory rubber isolators and how they should be bolted and adjusted. Give us a call with any questions.

LoD

Old 09-29-2009, 05:51 AM
  #10  
JK Freak
 
Captain Hook's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 978
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Were those "L brackets" supposed to be included with the 1st generation rear bumper, because I've never seen those before!
Looks like it would eliminate the slight vibrations mine has at hwy speed.


Quick Reply: Lod Rear Bumper Question - Rear tire secure?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:44 AM.