2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tire Wear and Steering Box

[hackengineering]

I am looking to see what you all think about my truck. I recenly noticed the outsides of my front tires are wearing a ton more than the insides. I need to put a new steering box in given it leaks a good deal out the seal at the pitman arm. Is it possible the is more wrong with the gear box and for some reason since it is going out the tires have some odd wear. I did have this truck aligned about 4,000 miles ago and it drives straight with no pull to any direction.

Thanks

CH

 

[dieselshu]

If replacing the steering box make sure you add a solid steel steering brace ( Source Automotive Performance Diesel - Home) to help support the steering shaft and eliminate future wear. The tire wear could be bad balljoints. Raise the front of the truck by the frame so the tires are off the ground and grab a tire by the top and bottom and try and lift up and go side to side... this can tell you if the balljoints are bad.



Goodluck

Dave

 

[BLassiter]

Most definately a new steering box if you notice leaking, as far as the previous post, try a dss, thats what i ordered about 3 days ago and waiting on it to get here =)

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

you're tires maybe over inflated or under inflated #@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!

 

[hackengineering]

you're tires maybe over inflated or under inflated #@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!

Yea the outer tire wear would be from under inflated but typically you would see the wear on both inside and out. This is just outside on both front tires.



Thanks for the link i will look into the brace.



So is this common to have it leak out the pitman arm?

 

[bnbrown]

If you are going to go with a steering box give PSC a call, they do superb work and might be cheaper too. PSC Motorsports, Off-Road Steering Experts

The steering box on mine peed fluid like mad, but it was out the cover. replaced it with a PSC box, steers easier now and hasn't leaked for the 4 years it has been on.

I am still trying to figure out what is going on with the fronts on both our trucks, they both chew up the outside of the tires. Both pull slightly though, one to the left, one to the right... had the '99 alignment checked a couple times and left no charge since it was in perfect spec...

 

[hackengineering]

Just to finish this post i installed a new gear box and had the same shop the alignment again. Like i expected they had no idea why but it was way off on both sides equally. I hinted this was there problem and expected some compensation on towards new tires and they had plenty of excusses as to why they can not do that.

Thanks for the replies

 

[wilsonsh]

Track bar?



If the frame is pushing relative to the axle when you turn, it will throw the upper control arm angle out putting more pressure on the outside of the tire.

The track bar keeps this in check.



Control arm bushings(lower or upper)?

Slop in the bushings are throwing your steering geometry out.



Toe-in?

Causing the front tires to "plow. "



Dunno... just guessin...

 

[Joe Mc]

Track bar?



If the frame is pushing relative to the axle when you turn, it will throw the upper control arm angle out putting more pressure on the outside of the tire.

The track bar keeps this in check.



Control arm bushings(lower or upper)?

Slop in the bushings are throwing your steering geometry out.



Toe-in?

Causing the front tires to "plow. "



Dunno... just guessin...

Good idea, but I don't think this truck is a 4X4, at least it isn't mentioned in his signature?

 

[wilsonsh]

crap... I thought I knew sumthin...

 

[hackengineering]

Good idea, but I don't think this truck is a 4X4, at least it isn't mentioned in his signature?

It actually is a 4x4, most of the things the other post mentioned typically do not show up on both tires with the exact wear pattern.

Hopefully i will get the shop to tell me exacty what was wrong but my impression is they set the toe way off, as they hinted oh it must have been a bad gauge reading.

Thanks

 

[wilsonsh]

Bad gauge reading... nice. Translates "too lazy to adjust. "

Heck, they read everything on the computer anymore, don't they? Speaking of which, get a print out b4 and after they adjust EVERY TIME!! I didn't know you could do this until someone told me. They'll give you a BS excuse that the printer is broke... in that case have them take you out there and write down the numbers on the screen. That's about the only way to keep tabs on these guys.

 

[wilsonsh]

Give this site a good once over as well... could get you in the ballpark for checking the toe. This guy is awesome!



Thuren Fabrication- solid axle alignment