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tires belts keep going bad

T

Toywrecker

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I've been searching around for answer for this problem with no real solid answers. I have an 86 M1028 CUCV I bought about two months ago, entirely stock with Copper 235/85/16 load range E tires I normally run around 70-75psi. When I first got the truck it began having issues. The truck would wobble from side to side at low speeds and would shake badly around 45-50 mph (probably 40-45 with my speedo the way it is.) At any other speed it would even out a bit. I diagnosed the problem as bad belts in the tire and swapped it out with the spare tire which solved the problems until a few days ago when it began having the same issue. I also had the truck aligned at Firestone before swapping out the spare, if I recall correctly.
When the problem happened again I took it to Firestone for a quick look. Nothing useful came of this other than I was told the spare that is bad is 7 years old! But apparently the other tires on the truck are 17 years old and wearing fine! By the way, I know cross rotating tires could cause this problem, but I have not put enough miles on the truck to justfiy a periodic rotation.
I also apologize for the long post. I wanted to describe the problem as best as possible.
 
The short answer is you need new tires...they do have a shelf life regardless of miles or wear. Potholes commonly cause belt damage.

Rene
 
Yeah, I kinda figured as much on that one and getting an appointment set up at Firestone is pretty high on the to-do-list. The tire pressures probably are a little high, even the paved roads around here are not exactly pristine, and the rear leaves are incredibly heavy. But like I said, I think it might be something with the truck. Its been the same problem with the tires mounted in the same place all within less than 2,000 miles and I have had no problems with any of the other 3 that came on the truck. I still think it could be a problem with the truck. I've been told that the centerline and the thrustline on the truck could be off. I also suspect the rear end may be out of alignment. When I put the spare on I raised the truck up on a shop lift and noticed the rear end was sitting at a very noticeable angle with rear end leaning toward the passenger side like a almost horizontal backslash \ Major issue? I know the rear end is a 14 bolt and those things have a little bit more stuff on one side than they do on the other. I did the wiggle test with the first bad tire looking for a bad bearing and didn't notice anything. I've also been told the bearing could be loose or the axle shaft bent. What is the possibility the frame is bent and I don't know it?
 
New tires and way less air pressure. Then see if anything is actually wrong.
 
I never ran more than 50 psi in my E-rated 245/75/16's on my K2500..even when hauling heavy loads...I'd lower the pressure,definately!...also check yourl leaf spring center bolts,if the axle looks out of alignment,one may have sheared and let the springs slide out of alignment..

I run a lot of old used tires,and yes,they do "go bad" just from sitting,they harden up in spots or dry rot,and get cracks and the plies can separate once enough moisture penetrates the carcass..right now I have a Michelin thats got deep cracking at the tread,I'm not going on any high speed trips until I get another tire!.I have had tires that shook and shake for months,then one day the entire tread peels off at 65 mph...:eek:...
 
wow..thats some crazy tire pressure. if you ever had a blow out, it wouldnt be pretty at all.

I run 32psi on my M/T Baja Radials.
 
Honestly nothing the OP has described sounds like anything other than old, past their prime tires doing weird stuff. I wouldn't touch ANYTHING until he has new tires on it, runs a reasonable street pressure, and has the alignment checked. 35-40psi max in that truck unloaded with those tires.
 
Ok, thanks for the info guys. I took the truck down to Firestone today and got an appointment to have 5 new tires installed, balanced, and mounted on the truck (nearly $1,000 :( ) in addition to having the alignment redone (free) and the truck inspected (about $20 and who knows, they might find something I missed) I'm definitely going to air the pressure down to 40 or so. Most of the time all I carry in it is some basic tools, my hi-lift and various other odds and ends. If my leaves are messed up I may end up replacing them when I do my lift, possibly with a slightly lighter, flexier spring. I do like the fact that these trucks can carry close to 2 tons, but the pay off is they ride like buckboard wagons unloaded.
Also, I've been noticing a weird ticking sound (sounds like its coming from the front) when I steer the truck tightly (turning a corner, making a u-turn, etc) The truck doesn't become more difficult to steer. It doesn't sound particularly bad yet, matter of fact it sounds almost exactly like when I shift the truck from P to D, tick, tick, tick, pretty slow. Sounds like it could maybe be a steering component under too much stress or beginning to go bad, maybe just in need of lubing. Any ideas?
 
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When you hear the "tick tick tick" is it...

a. While you are turning the wheel?

b. Or is it with the wheels turned and truck in motion?

If it's 'a', I would be looking at the steering shaft and rag joint, also checking for movement between the steering box and frame.

If it's 'b', I would be checking driveline and axle parts. Maybe the hubs locked in or not releasing which would cause the axle shafts to turn, bad axle shaft u-joints will make clicking noises. I would also be checking engine/trans mounts.

These are just some places to start...
 
@ 496 truck: I checked it today to see what the problem was. I put the truck in park while it was running and turned the steering wheel while looking at the front end (I've got long arms) Still made the ticking noise, so I'm thinking its definitely something in the front end (my guess is a steering or suspension component) I aslo noticed the front end swayed from side to side a noticeable amount while I was turning the wheel. Like I said I'm taking the truck in next week to have it inspected and new tires put on. Also on the issue of tires, I think I may have a bad wheel bearing in the rear :( I had a buddy follow me (mind you this is on the bad tire) and he said the tire was wobbling like my lug nuts were loose. WTF?! I know for a fact that I cranked those lugnuts down to the specified 112 ft/lbs when I was messing with the truck last weekend. I'll have to see if this problem continues with the new tires.
 
@ Chris. That was one of my other thoughts. My previous truck had squeaky leaf springs that wouldn't be quiet unless I sprayed them down with WD40. Even then, it wouldn't last for longer than a few days. Guess its a good thing I ordered new leaves for the front from you guys huh? Speaking of which, when the h*** are they gonna get here?! Just kidding.
 
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The front end tilting side to side while sitting still and turning the wheels lock to lock is normal. That has to do with alignment angles and such, mainly caster angle.
 
newer3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks very commonly run 55 front 80 rear or 60,70 and so on at factory spec. 70 all around is a bit high for the front but not at all unreasonable for the rear. On my burb i run 50-60 PSI unloaded depending on what kind of ride i want and ill probably tow in the 60 front 70 rear range. Load range E tires have a maximum psi of 80 btw. As for aligning a rear solid axle :confused: , Im pretty sure that is impossible as there is nothing to adjust. Also IIRC a tires shelf life is 6 years. You can get away with as much as 10-12 without any real problems normally but you are askin for trouble and i'd recommend new tires if at all possible. The tires on the burb i just bought are 04's (you can tell a tires age by looking at the last 2 numbers in its D.O.T which represent the year it was manufactured) and its so cracked to hell they wouldnt patch a hole in it at the tire shop i work in :haha: .
 
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