Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

redz 1970 K5 · 05-02-2007, 11:52 PM

I thought SFA trucks were obsolved from irregular tire wear up front compared to IFS??? My truck has tight ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. and the front tires are worn more on the outside then the inside.

The only other explanation is this- when I bought the 37s I have on it, they already had about 20k miles on them from a late model 3/4-1 ton Chevy or Ford... The rear tires were worn considerably more then the fronts when I bought them, but I thought the tire wear was even... thought...

Now, after about 5k miles on my truck with the more worn tires up front, I am seeing the outer worn out more then the inner on both sides...

What do you think? Previous owners truck, or do I have an alignment issue?

79Silv4x4 · 05-03-2007, 12:01 PM

I vote for alignment issues.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 05-03-2007, 01:55 PM

I am going to say alignment issues as well.

Bus Ted Knuckle · 05-03-2007, 02:01 PM

too much toe in

**Zoomad75** · 05-03-2007, 02:20 PM

TOE! You are correct that by having a solid axle you shouldn't have the tire wear problems IFS trucks have. To say SFA trucks shouldn't have any alignment issues wouldn't be completely accurate. Toe is the main adjustment and usually causes most of the tire wear issues. Caster won't cause tire wear like too much or too little toe, but it can make the truck wander (too little caster) or drive too tight (too much caster). Caster is adjustable with shims. Camber is set to the axle based on the inner C's on the axle housing. Camber is not adjustable, most likely if it's off the axle is bent.

Set the wheels straight ahead and mark a centerline on the front tires. Measure the front centerline from side to side and then measure the back centerline side to side. Find the difference between the two. Most of the time, toe should be close to zero or slightly toe in, 1/8 to 1/16th of an inch.

I don't have the exact spec but I'm sure somebody will chime in with it.

By the way, 5000 miles is enough time to see wear occur compared to the wear you found on the tires when you got them used. If the toe adjustment was really far, you could have chewed the tires up in 1500 miles or less.

cstanley · 05-03-2007, 02:28 PM

taking corners too fast! slow it down!

Bus Ted Knuckle · 05-03-2007, 03:32 PM

I like to do 1/4 inch toe-in on 4X4's. It just seems to work the best...for me anyway.

redz 1970 K5 · 05-03-2007, 11:55 PM

Ok, thanks guys. Alignment appointment set for tomorrow AM! I am pretty sure the BJ's and TRE's are in good shape, so hopefully it's just a toe and go!

**Zoomad75** · 05-04-2007, 11:54 AM

make sure the steering gear is centered before they set toe! I see it pretty often where the alignment tech rushes to do the job and forgets to center the steering wheel/gear before he gets started.

Nothing is more annoying then driving straight with the steering wheel off center.

redz 1970 K5 · 05-05-2007, 10:31 AM

Well, the alignment was the suspect! The guy said toe was WAY off. Of course he didn't record the preliminary toe, but there was a ton of + toe.

I had the 37s taken off since the front two were about done for and had 35s put on. Definitely like the extra power and braking I got back.

05-02-2007, 11:52 PM	#1
redz 1970 K5 OBS guy Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,060	Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? I thought SFA trucks were obsolved from irregular tire wear up front compared to IFS??? My truck has tight ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. and the front tires are worn more on the outside then the inside. The only other explanation is this- when I bought the 37s I have on it, they already had about 20k miles on them from a late model 3/4-1 ton Chevy or Ford... The rear tires were worn considerably more then the fronts when I bought them, but I thought the tire wear was even... thought... Now, after about 5k miles on my truck with the more worn tires up front, I am seeing the outer worn out more then the inner on both sides... What do you think? Previous owners truck, or do I have an alignment issue? __________________ 88 Suburban Goodies- Alpine, Auto Meter, BDS, Bilstein, B&M, BFG, Borgeson, Bushwhacker, Cowl hood, Flowmaster, Genuine Gear, Holley, Infinity, JVC, K&N, MB Wheels, MSD, Pioneer, Skyjacker, Sony, Thorley, Walker + more

05-03-2007, 12:01 PM	#2
79Silv4x4 Workaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 1,589	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? I vote for alignment issues.

05-03-2007, 01:55 PM	#3
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? I am going to say alignment issues as well. __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

05-03-2007, 02:01 PM	#4
Bus Ted Knuckle Son of a gun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,636	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? too much toe in __________________ Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER

05-03-2007, 02:20 PM	#5
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? TOE! You are correct that by having a solid axle you shouldn't have the tire wear problems IFS trucks have. To say SFA trucks shouldn't have any alignment issues wouldn't be completely accurate. Toe is the main adjustment and usually causes most of the tire wear issues. Caster won't cause tire wear like too much or too little toe, but it can make the truck wander (too little caster) or drive too tight (too much caster). Caster is adjustable with shims. Camber is set to the axle based on the inner C's on the axle housing. Camber is not adjustable, most likely if it's off the axle is bent. Set the wheels straight ahead and mark a centerline on the front tires. Measure the front centerline from side to side and then measure the back centerline side to side. Find the difference between the two. Most of the time, toe should be close to zero or slightly toe in, 1/8 to 1/16th of an inch. I don't have the exact spec but I'm sure somebody will chime in with it. By the way, 5000 miles is enough time to see wear occur compared to the wear you found on the tires when you got them used. If the toe adjustment was really far, you could have chewed the tires up in 1500 miles or less. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

05-03-2007, 02:28 PM	#6
cstanley Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,229	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? taking corners too fast! slow it down! __________________ "Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/

05-03-2007, 03:32 PM	#7
Bus Ted Knuckle Son of a gun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,636	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? I like to do 1/4 inch toe-in on 4X4's. It just seems to work the best...for me anyway. __________________ Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER

05-03-2007, 11:55 PM	#8
redz 1970 K5 OBS guy Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,060	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? Ok, thanks guys. Alignment appointment set for tomorrow AM! I am pretty sure the BJ's and TRE's are in good shape, so hopefully it's just a toe and go! __________________ 88 Suburban Goodies- Alpine, Auto Meter, BDS, Bilstein, B&M, BFG, Borgeson, Bushwhacker, Cowl hood, Flowmaster, Genuine Gear, Holley, Infinity, JVC, K&N, MB Wheels, MSD, Pioneer, Skyjacker, Sony, Thorley, Walker + more

05-04-2007, 11:54 AM	#9
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? make sure the steering gear is centered before they set toe! I see it pretty often where the alignment tech rushes to do the job and forgets to center the steering wheel/gear before he gets started. Nothing is more annoying then driving straight with the steering wheel off center. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

05-05-2007, 10:31 AM	#10
redz 1970 K5 OBS guy Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,060	Re: Any 4x4 guys have uneven tire wear? Well, the alignment was the suspect! The guy said toe was WAY off. Of course he didn't record the preliminary toe, but there was a ton of + toe. I had the 37s taken off since the front two were about done for and had 35s put on. Definitely like the extra power and braking I got back. __________________ 88 Suburban Goodies- Alpine, Auto Meter, BDS, Bilstein, B&M, BFG, Borgeson, Bushwhacker, Cowl hood, Flowmaster, Genuine Gear, Holley, Infinity, JVC, K&N, MB Wheels, MSD, Pioneer, Skyjacker, Sony, Thorley, Walker + more



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