I’ve just completed a 2,800 mile trip in my 03 GMC dually. Prior to the trip, I inspected the truck including the tires and wheels. The tire pressures were set to the specs indicated on the door placard…70psi front, 65psi rear. The truck carried no cargo for the entire trip.

On the return leg, I began noticing a droning noise while rolling on smooth pavement at speeds above 25 mph. I inspected the tires and discovered some abnormal wear on the front tires…every 5<SUP>th</SUP> block of the center tread is obviously worn deeper than the adjacent tread blocks.

I suspect the front tires will continue to wear in this manner regardless of corrective action…alignment?...tire balance?...shock absorbers?

If I present the truck to the dealer for inspection and correction, what are the chances of having the front tires replaced under warranty? With 17,000 miles on the truck, I presume alignment and tire balance are considered maintenance issues rather than warrantable repairs. However, if the shocks or suspension components are found to be the contributing factor, wouldn’t the resulting tire wear/damage be considered a warranty issue?

Any advice?

I'd personally get the tires rebalanced and rotate, and see it that fixes it.

Sounds like suspension to me, shocks. With low mileage like that you may be able to get GM to cover it, but I doubt you'd have much success unless you get a lawyer involved.

My guess would be your 4WD was engaged w/o your knowing. Can't prove it but think that could occur on sustained driving on w/it engaged on dry pavement.


Now tell me your truck is 2WD?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gifEdited by: ShumDit

With 17k the chances are slim that the dealer will be able to cover an alignment or tires. Have the tires been rotated yet? They should be done every 6k mi. If the wear is the same on both tires, it sounds like the toe could use an adjustment and the tires should be rotated.

Washboy -


I had a similar wear pattern when I leveled the front end of my '03 by cranking up the torsion bars. The problem was corrected by the dealership with a wheel allignment. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif

<DIV>Thanks for the replies fellas.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I stopped by the local GMC dealer and asked them the question. The blank stare from the "circus advisor" was a sufficient answer...so, no need to drag this dog thru the mud any longer.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I then remembered a business associate who happens to own an alignment shop. I went to visit with him. After a simple inspection, his foreman suggested rotating and balancing all 6 tires, and performing an alignment on their newest alignment rack. He said the visible tire wear indicated no faulty suspension components but just to be sure, they'd drop the shocks for an examination.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>OK, I'm good with that.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I asked, "So, how much is all this gonna cost?" He looked at the owner who answered..."Oh, how 'bout $65?"</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jeez! It's good to have friends in the business.</DIV>

That is also too much air pressure for solo running. That is why you are seeing wear in the center. My best educated guess is worn shocks. I replaced mine way too late. One was completely shot. Later! Frank

i agree with frank your air psi was way to high for empty driving....with that psi the tires are bouncing...

<DIV>The shocks were deemed to be "reasonably sound". I have just ordered the Bilsteins.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Alignment adjustments for toe and camber were accomplished on the left side...the right side was dead on.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Tire balance was nearly perfect on all 6 tires.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The truck's empty weight is 4,240 front, 3,080 rear. Any suggestions regarding proper empty weight tire inflation is appreciated.</DIV>

What size and load rating are you running. I could give you close guest. I watch mine like a hawk and measure the tread depth on a regular basis. Later! Frank

bought my truck and at the time i drove it off the lot it was out of align. took it back a few weeks later they said no front end man come back later....later was 2 months with 7500 miles and was told they was training somebody come back later and once again went back again still no front end man at 11k miles....the new bfg's i put on when i drove it off the lot was wearing out.. at 14k drove out of town to another dealer to get front end alignment and was told anything over 12k was not covered under warranty....so i paid for the damn thing....a few weeks after tread wear was changed i noticed it was pulling alot worse in the other direction so i went back to my dealer in town where i bought the truck at 18k and they said it was over the allowed limit to have it taken care of by warranty and charged me to have it aligned....its right now after i paid for it 2 times but my tires are wore out......