2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front End Question

[SZura]

I'm experiencing some issues that I think are related to the front end on my 1997 3500 4x4 and would like to hear from the experts in this forum. I have excessive tire wear on both front tires. They are Toyo Open Countrys with ~ 8000 miles. Both the inside and the outside tread blocks are worn substantially more than the center blocks. Tire pressure is correct at 70 psi. It looks like the classic underinflated tire wear patterns you see in some user manuals. Additionally, I've experienced some front end shaking when braking from 30 mph to 0 mph w/ moderate pressure. The front end was aligned at the time time the new tires were installed. Any thoughts on where I should start looking?



Thanx!

Stu

 

[AKAMAC]

The shaking sounds like warped a rotor, the tire wear is as you stated. FEA will not cause wear pattern like that. Wide wheels with narrow tires will wear like that. What size tires and wheels do you have?

 

[JSoloman]

Check your track bar and all components tied to it. I experienced the same thing at 29K. The track bar was shot. According the front end specialist, DC's track bar is junk and it will only happen again. Under a 100K extended warranty, they can replace mine until the warranty runs out and then I'll put a stronger more reliable bar one.



Anyways... this is definitely a flaw in the front end of our trucks. See if you have that may be your problem.



Jen

 

[Kernel]

Yea, that track bar is one that will hide from you if you don't look for it. I replaced the front end on my truck, or thought I did and went and had it aligned because I got new tires and my steering was sloppy and had a vibration. Well, the fella doing the alignment said "look here, I wouldn't drive a hundred miles on that, I would put a piece of wire around it if you ain't going to fix it soon... " I drove from Ohio to Texas and my first free weekend (today) I went and fixed it. I could take the joint and move the stud around in circles with one finger, talk about ate-up . When I put the new one on, it knocked my alignment off by a 1/2 inch on each tire. I didn't think something that isn't directly attached to the tie-rods etc. could make such a difference. The rest of my slop is gone and the steering is tight, the vibration is at a minimum, probably a new dampner shock will take the rest of the vibration out.



Scott

 

[SZura]

Thanx everyone, I'll check the track bar. The tires are 235 R16s; rim size is a question. They are aftermarket Ultras that came w/ the truck, but I'll look into that as well.



Stu

 

[csevers]

It may have to do with the ply of the tire, I tried some firestoner 8 ply tires and couldn't get them to wear for nothing regardless of air pressure went back to the 10ply mich and way over inflate them and get awsome wear, with them air to 90 psi.



The lighter ply tire must flex more I also had more people try telling me I had a "low" tire on the front just from the way the side wall buldged.



Craig

 

[dan_gilson]

A worn track bar will cause some wandering. The test is easy. Just get someone to turn the wheel back and forth with the engine off see if the frame end of the track bar moves. If it does the cheapest way to fix is with a Lukes Link. It take about ~1 to install and the hardest think is getting the track bar out.



The shaking, could be a warped rotor. Putting mic on the rotor will tell. You could even use a pencil as long as you had a way to clamp it. The books say <. 005 is OK. I had problems with . 004.

If you need them turned do them on the truck. They make a brake lathe that will bold to the hub and turn it without removing. This take less time and typically give ~. 001 tolerances. Expect . 004-. 005 if done off and probably $100-200 more.

 

[dan_gilson]

~1 = ~1 hour.

from previous post.



I am my own warrenty station.

I am not fast.

I strive for doing it right.

Sometimes it even happens.