What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Outside tire wear??????

badmix

badmix

1/2 ton status
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
Posts
4,474
Reaction score
165
Location
West Virginia
I had an alignment done back in May after replacing the Tie Rod ends and the Drag link, I also have the XJ steering shaft mod. Everything is tight, except. when the tire is in the air, i have some top to bottom play on the passenger side front tire. The ball joint is fine and since the alignment check today came out fine, im guessing either worn bearings or just need adjustment?

1) Should I just replace the bearings for assurance since Ive got to get in there to tighten them up?

2) Does minor wearing play cuz the tire to wear on the outside edge?

3) What else could I check for?

Here are specs. 1984 K5, 2" rough country lift with Bilstien 5150 shocks, Mickey Thompson Baja Radial MTZ 33 x 12.5 x 15 on stock 8 x 15 steelies.

Going down the road, the truck drives straight, no shakes, no pulling to one side or the other. I can run 80mph with no issue. I just dont like that the outside edge is wearing like it is. THe driver side is tight (no wheel bearing play) and the tire is wearing evenly on drivers side.

Thanks
 
Yes, bearing play can cause abnormal tire wear. Since you are already there I would replace them if not to costly. If your old ones are still okay then just pack them in a few zip bags with some grease as spares. I would also have the camber rechecked. May also be a bent knuckle or spindle.
 
From what I understand, there is no camber adjustment on these trucks. But the alignment shop did a 4 wheel test and everything was good from back when I did it in May. My guess is wheel bearings, so thatll be my next project. Cheaper than replacing $200 tire.
 
If you can't adjust the camber some shops won't tell you that its out. Ask the shop for the camber measurements so you can see if something is bent or out of whack. My friend bent the front axle on his truck and the shop set the alignment, wore tires on the inside. He went back to see WTF was going on. They showed him the results and sure enough it was out. They said if there is no adjustment, they don't report it because nothing can be done. BTW none of my buds use that shop anymore.
 
My 10 bolt front has always had a wierd camber... Both front tires "tilt" outwards at the top. I have looked at spindles, replaced ball joints, and still WTF? Unless my axle got bent backwards (by backwards I mean like if you chained the axle to the ground and tried to airlift the truck) somehow I don't really know what to make of it. My tires will wear more on the outside if I don't rotate them.
 
The camber can be adjusted no problem. You should get the camber angles on a print out from the alignment shop when the truck is aligned. If they are out spec you buy camber shim(s) in the degree needed to correct it. Most alignment shops if, they are worth a damn carry camber shims. They can install them for more money or they will sell you the ones needed to correct the camber angle. You can DIY. They go between the spindle and kunckle joint. Not hard at all to install if you have to pack your bearings anyhow.
 
How did you determine that the ball joint "was fine"? My bet is the ball joint is toast. Too much toe in will wear the outer edge of the tire and so will too much camber. Like Thunder said, camber can be adjusted by installing "camber shims" between the knuckle and spindle.
 
cornering too fast is a relative thing, tire wear on a sports car caused by 50mph 90* turns, would probably be caused by 30mph 90* left turns in a rig. most of us wouldnt think thats too fast.

as a disclaimer, i pulled those speeds out of my butt, just an example.
 
Were your tires wearing evenly before you did the front end work? If the tires were worn unevenly, they will continue to wear unevenly even if the front end checks out.

Well I just saw that you mentioned you can move the tire.. sounds like ball joints to me. That's what killed a front drivers side tire on my rig.. and be warned, the drivers side can be a mofo, but the passenger is cake.
 
4X4HIGH said:
It's doubtful that anyone around here with half a brain is "cornering fast" in a 6000 lb lifted rig.
Click to expand...

Mine is not lifted, but I drive the thing like i stole it on the street :waytogo:

Scott, know any decent alignment shops around here that would be good enough to sell shims?

I need to get my alignment check, and shim this front. This "new" 10 bolt i have is destroying my front tires!
 
God i'm impatient.

Read into these, and ordered a set of the Ingalls engineering ones.

Now i just need a good alignment shop to see what my current spec is.

This is a WAY better idea than swapping to another front axle :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom