The outer edges of my tires are waering MUCH quicker than the rest of the tread, with the passenger side being much worse than the drivers side.

What are the likely canidates for causing this?

I lifted the truck up on one side, did the 12-6 and 3-9 wiggling tests and only had movement in the 3-9 direction. Movement was about 1/2 to 3/4" This was repeated on the other side with the same exact results.

If it helps any, the truck is at stock riding height, that is, it has a rake to it from front to back. This lends to the notion that the torsion bars are not currently cranked any. I suppose they could have been cranked and been put back to stock before I bought it but I doubt it. ALSO, the passenger side enitre suspension was supposedly check (this was a stipulation to me buying the truck) and a dealership supposedly checked it out and says everything is ok (I have a sheet from that dealership saying this).

ANother issue is a vibration/shutter once in OD and just cruising along using light throttle (not accelerating and not coasting). Even though I can't see how a frontend issue would ONLY show up in this very specific type of driving, I'm just not convinced that it is something tranny related either. Mostly just because of the funny wearing of the tires AND where the noise/shutter sounds like it is coming from (front left wheel area most of the time but sometimes from the right as well).


ANY IDEAS on ANY of this would be GREATLY APPRECIATED


Smoke Show
Mitch

Could be out of alignment. What are you running your tires at (psi)?

Sounds like a simple alignment will cure the tire wear. The tires could cause a funny noise, but don't rule out ft. diff noises or a trans/t-case noise.

The truck does have a slight alignment issue(won't "switch lanes" for 1/4 mile on interstate) but I just find it hard to believe that is ALL there is.

So is it a "rule of thumb" that the alignment is out a bit IF the outer tire edges are wearing faster?


I forgot to mention, when I did the "wiggle" tests and found the movement to be in the 3-9 direction, I positioned myself to where I could see what exaclt was moving and it was the tierod ends, if that helps anything? Are those replaceable or does the entire tie rod have to be replaced? Are they supposed to have some play to them?


Smoke Show
Mitch

There should be no play in the tie rods ends and since ther is that is probablly causing your tire wear.

The tie rod ends are replaceable.

Buy 2 new ones and change them your self and then get an alignment

DD

.

Tie rod ends are replacable. If they are gone,you'll have to get an alignment anyways.

The camber could be a little high (causing outside tire wear) and the truck can still drive strait as an arrow. Only putting it on a alignment machine will tell. As far as tie rod play; I've found that all of those have some movement, that is ok as long as it is not excessive (hard to describe over a computer) none is best though. If they need replacing, the inner's just unscrew out of the center link, easy to do.

Don't forget, the owner may not have ever rotated there tires and that wear is showing without there actually being a major problem.

R u running stock rims? What size tires r u running?

Thanks for the replies folks... Is it pretty fair to say that 1/2" to 3/4" movement in the tire would equate to TOO much movement in the tierod joint? As far as this inner and outer business, all I know is that it was the joint closest to the wheel/tire that had the "slop" in it.

Stock chrome rims with 245s with unknown tire pressure (they, however, are not visually low looking). I have some 16x8 Eagle 058s ready to go on and am aqcuiring some 285s to put on those rims. I'm NOT going to put those on until I get this resolved because I don't want to ruin another set of tires or wear anything else out with the big tires.


Keep the thoughts coming please.... We'll get this figured out before long :D


Smoke Show
Mitch

1/2 - 3/4 is quite a bit. I would get them replaced. If it was 1/8- 1/4 I'd say they were alright.

Pittman and Idler Arm are probably worn. The stock ones are a POS.--Ken

Now, tonight I noticed a popping in the front left wheel area when turning pretty sharply. :( It has been my experience in the past that this is the tell-tell sign of CV Joint failure. Does this sound right to any of you? Also, could it be what is causing the vibration/shutter at cruising speeds in OD?:confused:

:help:


Thanks again,

Smoke Show
Mitch

Ask around to find out which front end shop has the best reputation. I used to do front end alignments/repair. You can feel worn parts when moving the wheel in and out. You can flex the parts clear to the other wheel without having a worn part. Pitman/idler problems have been more of a problem with lifted trucks, racing in 4X4 etc. I have 75K on mine with no measurable wear. A low front end will give you a little extra positive camber. Take it to the shop. Later! Frank