Tire Wear

[truckster]

I realize this one might get moved, but it's a Blazer, so I'll start here.

Here's the setup: 72 Blazer 4wd, 2in body lift, running 33x12.50x15 Pirelli Scorpion tires. Tires were new when I bought it, and I've rotated them regularly. I replaced the ball joints, suspension bushings, tie rod ends, and steering gear. I also rebuilt the hubs and packed the bearings. Everything appears to be tight. The caster and camber aren't adjustable as far as I can tell, and toe-in is 1/8 inch.

The problem: My front tires wear on the outsides. The problem is pronounced enough that the outsides of my tires are bald and I have at least 3/8 inch tread on the insides. I'm not sure what might be causing it. Any ideas?

[47thriftmaster]

Check the knuckles, I had one go bad and the same thing happened.

[SeventyOne]

How did your knuckle go bad?

[47thriftmaster]

It got reamed out at the steering arm. Best way to check that I know of is to jack up the front end and see if there is any type of play in the front wheels.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by truckster

I realize this one might get moved, but it's a Blazer, so I'll start here.Here's the setup: 72 Blazer 4wd, 2in body lift, running 33x12.50x15 Pirelli Scorpion tires. Tires were new when I bought it, and I've rotated them regularly. I replaced the ball joints, suspension bushings, tie rod ends, and steering gear. I also rebuilt the hubs and packed the bearings. Everything appears to be tight. The caster and camber aren't adjustable as far as I can tell, and toe-in is 1/8 inch.

The problem: My front tires wear on the outsides. The problem is pronounced enough that the outsides of my tires are bald and I have at least 3/8 inch tread on the insides. I'm not sure what might be causing it. Any ideas?

Your in the right area

[truckster]

Originally Posted by 47thriftmaster

It got reamed out at the steering arm. Best way to check that I know of is to jack up the front end and see if there is any type of play in the front wheels.

If I jack up one side, there's no slop or play in the steering or suspension. It's got me baffled.

[coyote72]

I have seen somewhere that they sell tapered shims that go between the knuckle and the spindle. Maybe somewhere down the line some one put them on your truck? If not maybe you can look into getting some to level out your situation.

[AlaskaMatt]

Call me crazy but how are the roads in your area? Here we have deep ruts in all the highways. I got rid of a set of 11.5's because with the backspacing and width of the tires I was slightly wider than standard rut. Pulled all over and tire wear was goofy.

Like you this was after cleaning up the whole front end.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by AlaskaMatt

Call me crazy but how are the roads in your area? Here we have deep ruts in all the highways. I got rid of a set of 11.5's because with the backspacing and width of the tires I was slightly wider than standard rut. Pulled all over and tire wear was goofy.

Like you this was after cleaning up the whole front end.

That's definitely a possibility. Utah has two seasons: Winter and construction. I-15 has been in one or another stage of rebuilding for years. I've got some 10.5s to put on it. Maybe I'll just put them on and see what they do.

Thanks for your help, everyone.

[cleszkie]

I'm not sure, but you may have too much toe in. If I recall, my assembly manual specifies something like 2 degrees of toe in. I don't know how that compares to 1/8 inch, but if you have 1/8 inch on each side, you have too much.

Something else to note: If you installed a lift, the caster angle will have been changed unless you shimmed the spring perches (top of knuckles rotate forward). Improper caster can cause this too. Good luck.

[Blazer1970]

For what it's worth, I had a set of those Pirelli Scorpions on my Dmax once and they wore out completely in about 20,000 miles. The tires could be exacerbating any alignment problem you may have.

[bigpig72CST]

A couple of guys I work with had the Pirelli Scorpion tires on their new F*rd trucks from the factory, and they did the same thing. They seem to be extremely soft tires, and do not wear well.