Truck Wandering Down Road

[jrrod2004]

Truck: 2006 Silverado Crew 2WD.

 

Short story: Passenger tire keeps balding out on the outer edge and this outer edge becomes a magnet for picking crap up in the road - nails, glass, occasional rock, etc. I have had this issue going on for approx a year now. Discount Tire has warrantied each tire that has done this on the front right and recommended a local Brake Specialist/Automotive Care shop to have the alignment done at. Completed the alignment but issue still returns. The tires on are stock 17" aluminums, not the 20"s.

 

 

Issue: Passenger front side keeps eating tires - Discount tire has been kind enough to warranty them. Discount Tire states that the alignment appears to be the issue as my front right tire goes bald on the outer edge. Research does say that if the outer edge of the front tire goes out, it is because of too much positive camber. I suspect that it is the camber out of adjustment but I also suspect the tie rods as well.

 

 

Questions: I have several questions that I believe are related to my issue: 1) Local lube shop apparently greased the underside of the truck when changing the oil a couple of weeks back. Does this have any affect in the pulling sensation that I have in the steering wheel? 2) Are there any shops that anyone can recommend in the greater Austin Texas area? I was told to find an 18 wheeler shop as these trucks really rely on precise alignment to reduce their costs.

 

 

In Conclusion: I have thrown some cash at this problem, but it does not seem to go away. What I am looking for is a targeted attack strategy - not "well this might work, or that...".

 

 

Side note, truck has close to 60K. Should I be considering replacing the shocks/struts as well?

 

 

Let the suggestions commence.

[nickvrebel]

if the problem lessened when the ball joints were greased it sounds like you might want to have them checked, in fact check everything in the front end. Your alignment isn't correct, bottom line - it was probably set correct, but if the tech didn't look for bad/ worn parts then it was back out of alignment by the time it was pulled out of the shop. bring it to a shop that specializes in "front end work" or is an alignment specialist, have then inspect the front end components. I'd bet you have have a bad ball joint or tie rod end.

[jrrod2004]

Crap, didnt even think about the ball joints. Yes, the problem went away after the lube shop got under it. Steering wheel also felt tighter (not as loose).

[Triki_Dick]

Make sure when you get the alignment done again, you have 2 good tires on the front!!

[RayGMC]

Do you have the torsion keys cranked? If so, that may cause the positive camber issue but it would be on both sides.

[jrrod2004]

Do you have the torsion keys cranked? If so, that may cause the positive camber issue but it would be on both sides.

 

 

Nope, have 2WD and truck has IFS. No torsion keys installed.

[jrrod2004]

I appreciate the input thus far. Anymore would be welcome.

 

 

 

Got a parts list of items that I suspect might be worth buying and replacing all at the same time:

 

Vehicle: 2006 Silverado crew 2WD

 

Steering : Tie Rod End

MOOG Part # ES3488 - x2

Frt Strg; Inner; RWD; w/Crew Cab

 

MOOG Part # ES3609 - x2

Frt Strg; Outer; w/Crew Cab

 

 

Suspension : Control Arm

RAYBESTOS Part # 5071176 {Professional Grade}

Front Suspension; Left Lower; Two Wheel Drive (4x2); Complete Arm With Ball Joint

 

 

RAYBESTOS Part # 5071177 {Professional Grade}

Front Suspension; Right Lower; Two Wheel Drive (4x2); Complete Arm With Ball Joint

 

MOOG Part # K80826 {Control Arm w/Ball Joint} - x2

Frt Susp; Upper; Problem Solver; Offset bushings provide additional camber adjustment

 

 

 

I would want to replace the coils and front shocks at the same time as tearing out the rest of the stuff but I ran across way too many options - Lots of guys here have recommended KYB Mono Max shocks/struts. Any other thoughts or should I just stick with these? On the coils, any particular brand preferred?

 

Anybody out there with a recommended alignment shop in the greater Austin/Central Texas area?

[jblakeney]

Truck: 2006 Silverado Crew 2WD.

 

Short story: Passenger tire keeps balding out on the outer edge and this outer edge becomes a magnet for picking crap up in the road - nails, glass, occasional rock, etc. I have had this issue going on for approx a year now. Discount Tire has warrantied each tire that has done this on the front right and recommended a local Brake Specialist/Automotive Care shop to have the alignment done at. Completed the alignment but issue still returns. The tires on are stock 17" aluminums, not the 20"s.

 

 

Issue: Passenger front side keeps eating tires - Discount tire has been kind enough to warranty them. Discount Tire states that the alignment appears to be the issue as my front right tire goes bald on the outer edge. Research does say that if the outer edge of the front tire goes out, it is because of too much positive camber. I suspect that it is the camber out of adjustment but I also suspect the tie rods as well.

 

Questions: I have several questions that I believe are related to my issue: 1) Local lube shop apparently greased the underside of the truck when changing the oil a couple of weeks back. Does this have any affect in the pulling sensation that I have in the steering wheel? 2) Are there any shops that anyone can recommend in the greater Austin Texas area? I was told to find an 18 wheeler shop as these trucks really rely on precise alignment to reduce their costs.

 

 

In Conclusion: I have thrown some cash at this problem, but it does not seem to go away. What I am looking for is a targeted attack strategy - not "well this might work, or that...".

 

 

Side note, truck has close to 60K. Should I be considering replacing the shocks/struts as well?

 

 

Let the suggestions commence.

 

Tire issue: Any chance you have consider frame tolerances? Collision?? Any??? Edgewise....... Bent rim or alignment!

 

Pull Issue: That probably has to do with the tire wear.

 

Sounds like it is not in alignment some where frame, bent control arm, tie rod, or just flat out miss aligned.....

 

Jbo

[Silverado4x4]

I would try another alignment shop, there machine might not be right or the guy doesnt know what he is doing. Forgot to add are your tires the right size? If you have larger tires not designed for the rim the center of the tire will be crowned in the middle and make it wander side to side.

[jrrod2004]

Truck: 2006 Silverado Crew 2WD.

 

Short story: Passenger tire keeps balding out on the outer edge and this outer edge becomes a magnet for picking crap up in the road - nails, glass, occasional rock, etc. I have had this issue going on for approx a year now. Discount Tire has warrantied each tire that has done this on the front right and recommended a local Brake Specialist/Automotive Care shop to have the alignment done at. Completed the alignment but issue still returns. The tires on are stock 17" aluminums, not the 20"s.

 

 

Issue: Passenger front side keeps eating tires - Discount tire has been kind enough to warranty them. Discount Tire states that the alignment appears to be the issue as my front right tire goes bald on the outer edge. Research does say that if the outer edge of the front tire goes out, it is because of too much positive camber. I suspect that it is the camber out of adjustment but I also suspect the tie rods as well.

 

Questions: I have several questions that I believe are related to my issue: 1) Local lube shop apparently greased the underside of the truck when changing the oil a couple of weeks back. Does this have any affect in the pulling sensation that I have in the steering wheel? 2) Are there any shops that anyone can recommend in the greater Austin Texas area? I was told to find an 18 wheeler shop as these trucks really rely on precise alignment to reduce their costs.

 

 

In Conclusion: I have thrown some cash at this problem, but it does not seem to go away. What I am looking for is a targeted attack strategy - not "well this might work, or that...".

 

 

Side note, truck has close to 60K. Should I be considering replacing the shocks/struts as well?

 

 

Let the suggestions commence.

 

Tire issue: Any chance you have consider frame tolerances? Collision?? Any??? Edgewise....... Bent rim or alignment!

 

Pull Issue: That probably has to do with the tire wear.

 

Sounds like it is not in alignment some where frame, bent control arm, tie rod, or just flat out miss aligned.....

 

 

Jbo

 

 

 

Tire Issue: No frame damage to the truck - just body damage here and there. I can have the frame reinspected to ensure this.

 

Pull Issue: Good to know

[jrrod2004]

I would try another alignment shop, there machine might not be right or the guy doesnt know what he is doing. Forgot to add are your tires the right size? If you have larger tires not designed for the rim the center of the tire will be crowned in the middle and make it wander side to side.

 

 

Sorry, forgot about that:

 

Stock OEM (From Factory): P245/70R17

Stock OEM (From Shop): P265/70R17

Stock OEM (Takeoffs): P275/55R20

 

I have the 245s in the garage and the 265s installed on the truck. The 265s are the Michelins and the 245s are the Goodyears. Both do this when installed. Before the new Michelins, I had the Bridgestone Duelers (265s) series 840. These tires did it as well. I will have Discount look at this as well (center of tire to rim) just in case...

 

The 20s only go on the truck for June-August, so they really dont get too much wear and honestly, I have not noticed the truck doing it on the 20s.

Not sure as it just hit me, but here is the breakdown:

 

245/70R17 - OEM Steelies

265/70R17 - OEM Brushed Aluminum

275/55R20 - OEM Brushed Aluminum

[neilr]

I had an issue of my truck wandering while at highway speed. I had a bent oem rim and crappy oem tires. I put new aftermarket rims and Toyo LT tires on and the truck tracks like it was on rails.

[jblakeney]

I would try another alignment shop, there machine might not be right or the guy doesnt know what he is doing. Forgot to add are your tires the right size? If you have larger tires not designed for the rim the center of the tire will be crowned in the middle and make it wander side to side.

 

 

Sorry, forgot about that:

 

Stock OEM (From Factory): P245/70R17

Stock OEM (From Shop): P265/70R17

Stock OEM (Takeoffs): P275/55R20

 

I have the 245s in the garage and the 265s installed on the truck. The 265s are the Michelins and the 245s are the Goodyears. Both do this when installed. Before the new Michelins, I had the Bridgestone Duelers (265s) series 840. These tires did it as well. I will have Discount look at this as well (center of tire to rim) just in case...

 

The 20s only go on the truck for June-August, so they really dont get too much wear and honestly, I have not noticed the truck doing it on the 20s.

Not sure as it just hit me, but here is the breakdown:

 

245/70R17 - OEM Steelies

265/70R17 - OEM Brushed Aluminum

275/55R20 - OEM Brushed Aluminum

 

 

Sometimes swapping size rims can amplify the miss alignment............. Depends on how the front is out.

 

Jbo