2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Allingment ?

[Gregg Mig]

I just got the front end aligned last month and also put brand new LTX M+S Michilens on. My question is the front outer edges are feathering I have only put 400 miles on the tires, I think the toe is set in to much,would this cause any drivability issues steering the truck,the truck seems sensitive driving down the road,just a lot of little correcting,truck goes where you turn the wheel there is no play in the front I just went thru it all everything is new. Next ? is when I checked the toe with a measuring tape using the tire tread of the back of the tires and comparing it with a measurement from the front I get a 1/4 difference with the front reading being less than the rear, indicating to me that it is toed in to much,or is this just to crude of a way to check,I know I should take it back to where I had it down,but was just wondering if any of what I just mentioned holds any answers,or truth.

 

[TSkibyak]

I would take the trk back to the shop that did the alignment and talk to them to see what they say.

Not sure when you put the tires on but if you had the old tires on the trk when you had the work done that could change things a bit

 

[jelag]

You won't feel a toe problem in the steering wheel... Toe is designed into the alignment of the front end to allow for play and compression of the ball joints and tie rod ends under load... . sitting at rest the joints are loose... as you drive down the road under pressure the joints compress and the toe of the vehicle changes... .



If the linkage is in front of the axle you set the toe one direction and if you have the linkage behind the front axle you set the toe opposite... One is toe in, the other toe out... as I sit here and right this it must be 38 or so years since I've learned this and I personally haven't done an alignment in 35 years. But I remember all the angles and reasoning behind the wear... .



BTW - toe can cause this wear... . but outside tire wear can also be caused by excessive camber... when they did the alignment did they install camber bushing or change the camber??



Hope this helps...

 

[Gregg Mig]

I had it aligned,and then put the new tires on a few days later, I had just done the entire frontend over and did not even want to drive over to get it aligned after the tires were put on. What does btw stand for, I probably know but it just wont pop into my brain "getting old" . Also I was told during the alignment that the camber was out on one side,again forgot the side,but I wonder if that has anything to do with it. I kicking myself for not putting the adjustable upper balljoints when I replaced them all.

 

[RSimmons]

I was having this issue as well. A few things helped.



1. Run 75 to 80 PSI in the front tires

2. Set toe -. 1 to -. 2 (-. 1 unless you frequently tow heavy) this will spread some of the cornering load to the inner section of the tire and greatly reduce the outer feathering. (this is slight toe out)

3. This is some of the nature of the solid axle 4x4 but the above two items greatly reduced (almost none) the feathering on my tires (also the Sams club Mitchelin).



Yes, too much toe, either positive (narrower in the front) or negative(narrower in the back) will tend to make the steering darty especially at high speed or on rutted roads.



Good luck

 

[Gregg Mig]

thanks RS I took it back to the dealer and they aligned it again "no charge" I don't have the specs in front of me I think it was 1% but it was toed in on the high side of the normal range so they adjusted it . 5 % it does seem to drive a little better less input feels a little firmer driving down the road. I wonder if I put it to your specs if it would drive even better? By the way they are Sam special also! Gregg

 

[HLEschenko]

Here's info you may want to look at:



Go to the search forum and search, Alignment Specs in the TDR, but without the commas. It's by "Hammersley".



I'd send the link but I don't know how to paste it.