Why Are My 2020 Mustang's Wheels Rubbing?

The Issue

This article addresses a common but often vague complaint among owners: a general "rear problem" with their vehicle. Based on community reports, this typically manifests as a handling, stability, or wear issue originating from the rear of the car, distinct from problems with the front axle. Owners frequently struggle to diagnose the specific cause, as symptoms can be broad.

What You'll Notice

Owners reporting a rear problem describe several key symptoms that affect the vehicle's dynamics and feel. The most common reports include a noticeable change in the vehicle's stance, where the rear sits lower or appears uneven compared to the front. Drivers also experience a loose or "squirrelly" feeling from the rear end, especially during cornering or over bumps, leading to a lack of confidence in the car's stability. This is often accompanied by premature or uneven tire wear on the rear tires, which can differ significantly from the wear pattern on the front tires. Some note increased road noise or a general sense that the rear suspension is not tracking correctly with the front.

Likely Culprits

Analysis of owner discussions points to a few primary areas responsible for these rear-end issues. The most frequent suspect is worn rear suspension components. This includes aging shock absorbers, struts, bushings, and control arm links that have lost their damping and alignment capabilities. The second major category is improper wheel alignment, specifically the rear toe and camber settings being out of specification, which directly causes unstable handling and irregular tire wear. Less frequently, but still noted, is the issue of mismatched or incorrect tire specifications between the front and rear axles, including differences in brand, model, tread pattern, or even subtle size variations that can disrupt handling balance.

Owner-Verified Repairs

Based on the frequency of successful reports from the community, here are the repairs ranked from most common and cost-effective to more involved.

1. Complete Rear Wheel Alignment (Most Common First Step) This is overwhelmingly the first and most successful intervention. Owners who corrected their rear toe and camber angles reported immediate improvements in stability and a halt to irregular tire wear. This is a relatively low-cost diagnostic step that can rule out or confirm alignment as the core issue. It should always be performed after any suspension work.

2. Replacement of Worn Shock Absorbers or Struts When an alignment does not fully solve a persistent "loose" feeling or bouncing, worn rear shocks are the next likely culprit. Multiple owners confirmed that replacing old, tired shocks restored a planted and controlled feel to the rear end. This repair directly addresses the change in vehicle stance and poor damping over bumps.

3. Renewal of Rear Suspension Bushings and Links If problems persist after new shocks and an alignment, attention turns to the suspension's pivot points. Worn control arm bushings or stabilizer bar end links can introduce slop and imprecise geometry. Replacing these components, often in conjunction with shocks, is a verified fix for eliminating residual vagueness in handling.

4. Ensuring Identical, High-Quality Tires on All Four Corners Several owners resolved subtle handling quirms by ensuring all four tires were the same brand, model, size, and had similar tread depth. Mixing tire types or having significantly more wear on the rear than the front (or vice versa) can create a balance issue that feels like a rear problem.

Shared Experiences

The community provides valuable real-world context. One owner of a BMW 325 detailed how their car felt "detached" in the rear during turns; a precise four-wheel alignment focused on the rear specs was the complete solution. Another member described a lowered rear stance and a "floating" sensation; they replaced the rear shock absorbers, which raised the rear height back to normal and eliminated the floatiness. A third experience highlighted the importance of a full inspection: an owner chasing a rear-end shimmy found that while the shocks were bad, the final cure was replacing a slightly bent rear control arm discovered during the repair process. These stories underscore that diagnosis often involves checking multiple related components in the rear suspension and alignment systems.

Real Owner Costs

Costs vary significantly based on the component and whether the work is DIY or performed by a shop.

• Rear Wheel Alignment: A full four-wheel alignment at a professional shop typically ranges from $100 to $200. This is not generally recommended as a DIY task due to the specialized equipment required.
• Rear Shock Absorbers/Struts:
  • Parts (Pair): $150 - $400 for a set of quality aftermarket or OEM units.
  • DIY Labor: Moderate difficulty. Requires jack stands, basic socket/wrench sets, and spring compressors if replacing strut assemblies. Can save $300-$500 in labor.
  • Shop Labor: Approximately $200-$400 for the pair, depending on the vehicle's design.
• Rear Suspension Bushings & Links:
  • Parts: $50 - $200 for a set of bushings or end links.
  • DIY Labor: High difficulty for pressed bushings, requiring specialized tools. Link replacement is generally easier. Labor savings can be $150-$300.
  • Shop Labor: $150 - $350, heavily dependent on the design and labor time for bushing removal/installation.

Recommendation: Start with the least expensive diagnostic step—a professional alignment. If the issue is not resolved, move to replacing rear shocks, which is the most common mechanical fix. Pursue bushing replacement only if symptoms persist after these steps.

Source Summary: This analysis is based on 16 owner discussions from Reddit and automotive forums.