What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pritch · 04-06-2013, 10:12 PM

I let this go too long and now I need to deal with it. I didn't really notice until my tire was ruined. This is the rt side. The truck steers fine and the left side is wearing normally. I does have new ball joints but I never have changed tie-rods or anything else. This in on the inside of the tire.

k_n_browning · 04-06-2013, 10:24 PM

is it like that all the way around?Or is it just in some places?Cant see much the way it sets now.But from the way it looks like it sliped a belt.

pritch · 04-06-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k_n_browning

is it like that all the way around?Or is it just in some places?Cant see much the way it sets now.But from the way it looks like it sliped a belt.

Oh yeah-all the way around. I've had my eye on it for the last couple of weeks. When the wires started showing through, I put the spare on.

oklalawnboy · 04-06-2013, 11:31 PM

Looks like a camber problem to me. If it was toe in the truck would pull one way or the other.

**GMCPaul** · 04-07-2013, 08:46 AM

Its a camber problem which is caused by either a bad ball joint or joints or improper alignment. If the worn edge is to the outside edge on the tire when mounted then it has to much positive camber if the edge shown is actually the inside of tire when mounted it has to much negative camber. So if the ball joints are good ( should be since just replaced but we've seen the specs vary so much from one parts store to the next on the same ball joints you can't always be sure ) and if this wear is on the outside of the tire you need to remove some shims from behind the upper a-arm on that side if its worn on the inside edge then to correct the negative camber you need to add shims behind the upper a-arm cross-shaft.
Paul @ GMCPauls
PS- Its definitely not a tie rod problem though as the tie rods don't affect camber.

**Boog** · 04-07-2013, 11:16 AM

If you do add or remove shims to the upper control arm shaft be sure to adjust the toe in also. As you move the upper control arm inward or outward the toe in changes also so you have to keep check on that as well.
A visit to a front end shop will put it back on the numbers but you can get it close by using a tape measure and carpenters level.

Tx Firefighter · 04-07-2013, 11:17 AM

I fully agree with Paul.

But, that is about as bad of camber wear as I've ever seen. I can't tell from the pic whether its worn on the inside or outside, but that much positive or negative camber should be very readily visible to the eye of any person looking at the truck. When the wheels are pointing straight ahead, do you see it leaning in or out at the top ?
Posted via Mobile Device

cdowns · 04-07-2013, 12:01 PM

could very well be a bent control arm from bangin a curb or minor bump type of accident in its 40year history

Heavy Evy · 04-07-2013, 12:20 PM

It could also be toed out. My truck did this to a tire and it was because of too much toe. Toe will never make a vehicle pull. Does the truck pull to the right? If it has that much positive camber to wear the tire than it should pull hard especially on our wonderful utah roads.

pritch · 04-07-2013, 12:51 PM

Thanks, guys.

Yeah-it really don't pull. I mean, if I let go of the steering wheel on the freeway, it's a couple of tenths before I need to make corrections. I am going to get it aligned next week, but I wanted to know if they try to BS me. I do have new ball joints-well, they're 2 years old now. I figured it was the shims thing, but just wanted some other opinions.

biggestjohn · 04-07-2013, 12:52 PM

Have your control arm bushings checked. Tires usually tilt out like that due to component wear.

Wrenchbender Ret · 04-07-2013, 02:16 PM

Take a hard look at the lower control control arm bushings. They are hard to check by push/pull on the wheels because there is always pressure on them. Crawl under & see if the bushings are off center.

Robznob11 · 04-07-2013, 02:39 PM

one thing no one mentioned. if your wheel bearing is going out the wheel will lean in and wear like this and some times gets mistaked for and alignment problem till the rotor welds to the spindle or worse falls off. if you walk up to the truck and shake the tire it will have noticeable movement and from the front the wheel will like it leans in at the top! not saying its the problem but it could be

slammed1 · 04-07-2013, 05:15 PM

Toe in or out is the fastest tire wearing angle with Camber being second. Caster isnt an actual tire wearing angle. A combination of a toe out and negative camber would create excessive inside edge wear. Always check for worn parts before an alignment is done.

buckskins4ever · 04-07-2013, 05:42 PM

Funny thing is no matter what the issue is, you arent going to want to diagnose of fix it yourself. These trucks are not fun to align. Your upper A arm, if not been removed in 40 years, will be alot of fun to adjust.
I personally would go to a Midas. You will get a FREE estimate and they will show you what the problem is. Then fix the problems if so desired.

04-06-2013, 10:12 PM	#1
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? I let this go too long and now I need to deal with it. I didn't really notice until my tire was ruined. This is the rt side. The truck steers fine and the left side is wearing normally. I does have new ball joints but I never have changed tie-rods or anything else. This in on the inside of the tire. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

04-06-2013, 10:24 PM	#2
k_n_browning Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: McAlester Olahoma Posts: 114	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? is it like that all the way around?Or is it just in some places?Cant see much the way it sets now.But from the way it looks like it sliped a belt.

04-06-2013, 11:31 PM	#4
oklalawnboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Glencoe Alabama Posts: 510	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? Looks like a camber problem to me. If it was toe in the truck would pull one way or the other. __________________ 72 Cheyenne super 10 08 3500 HD 4dr dually 12 ford flex (wifes ride) 76 Monte Carlo 83 Chevy short wide Silverado 96 Mazda Miata, 2000 Allegro Bus

04-07-2013, 08:46 AM	#5
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,721	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? Its a camber problem which is caused by either a bad ball joint or joints or improper alignment. If the worn edge is to the outside edge on the tire when mounted then it has to much positive camber if the edge shown is actually the inside of tire when mounted it has to much negative camber. So if the ball joints are good ( should be since just replaced but we've seen the specs vary so much from one parts store to the next on the same ball joints you can't always be sure ) and if this wear is on the outside of the tire you need to remove some shims from behind the upper a-arm on that side if its worn on the inside edge then to correct the negative camber you need to add shims behind the upper a-arm cross-shaft. Paul @ GMCPauls PS- Its definitely not a tie rod problem though as the tie rods don't affect camber. __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM Last edited by GMCPaul; 04-07-2013 at 08:48 AM. Reason: Added Information regarding tie rods

04-07-2013, 11:16 AM	#6
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,513	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? If you do add or remove shims to the upper control arm shaft be sure to adjust the toe in also. As you move the upper control arm inward or outward the toe in changes also so you have to keep check on that as well. A visit to a front end shop will put it back on the numbers but you can get it close by using a tape measure and carpenters level. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

04-07-2013, 11:17 AM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? I fully agree with Paul. But, that is about as bad of camber wear as I've ever seen. I can't tell from the pic whether its worn on the inside or outside, but that much positive or negative camber should be very readily visible to the eye of any person looking at the truck. When the wheels are pointing straight ahead, do you see it leaning in or out at the top ? Posted via Mobile Device

04-07-2013, 12:01 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? could very well be a bent control arm from bangin a curb or minor bump type of accident in its 40year history __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-07-2013, 12:20 PM	#9
Heavy Evy born to lose Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 842	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? It could also be toed out. My truck did this to a tire and it was because of too much toe. Toe will never make a vehicle pull. Does the truck pull to the right? If it has that much positive camber to wear the tire than it should pull hard especially on our wonderful utah roads. __________________ _____________________ '67 Chevy Belair Wagon 283 Powerglide '68 Chevy II Nova 2 door 350 TH400 Sold!! '71 Chevy C20 350 TH350 '71 Chevy C10 Burb 350 TH350 stolen totalled gone.... Burb Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=475155 Nova Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=498979 Wagon Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543052 Not giving a truck.

04-07-2013, 12:51 PM	#10
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? Thanks, guys. Yeah-it really don't pull. I mean, if I let go of the steering wheel on the freeway, it's a couple of tenths before I need to make corrections. I am going to get it aligned next week, but I wanted to know if they try to BS me. I do have new ball joints-well, they're 2 years old now. I figured it was the shims thing, but just wanted some other opinions. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

04-07-2013, 12:52 PM	#11
biggestjohn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Russiaville Posts: 203	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? Have your control arm bushings checked. Tires usually tilt out like that due to component wear. __________________ ......its not what your askin', its what your gettin'.... .......every time I screw up, I learn something. Needless to say, I'm learning all the time............

04-07-2013, 02:16 PM	#12
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? Take a hard look at the lower control control arm bushings. They are hard to check by push/pull on the wheels because there is always pressure on them. Crawl under & see if the bushings are off center.

04-07-2013, 02:39 PM	#13
Robznob11 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: brownfield texas (west texas) Posts: 1,936	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? one thing no one mentioned. if your wheel bearing is going out the wheel will lean in and wear like this and some times gets mistaked for and alignment problem till the rotor welds to the spindle or worse falls off. if you walk up to the truck and shake the tire it will have noticeable movement and from the front the wheel will like it leans in at the top! not saying its the problem but it could be __________________ The Ghost 67 short wide full custom. 550 hp LSX, 4l80E, narrowed 9". Body dropped w/air ride! ........................ ___ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(⊙)___//___/__(O)_/ @disciple2.rc 💪instagram💪 LED TAILS

04-07-2013, 05:15 PM	#14
slammed1 1972 Chevrolet SWB Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: FT Smith AR Posts: 512	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? Toe in or out is the fastest tire wearing angle with Camber being second. Caster isnt an actual tire wearing angle. A combination of a toe out and negative camber would create excessive inside edge wear. Always check for worn parts before an alignment is done. __________________ My New thread with pics (not my build thread yet.) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...46#post2573646 1972 Chevrolet 1/2 ton short wide bed,68 frt clip Project. 1980 Camaro Inherited when father passed,68K Miles 2003 Ford Mach1 FUN as Hell!! 2002 Dodge Ram 5-8 slam Rolling BillBoard (Gone not forgot) 2004 Dodge Ram HEMI 10" lifted on 37's and 2wd.

04-07-2013, 05:42 PM	#15
buckskins4ever Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Altoona Iowa Posts: 481	Re: What will they adjust to fix this alignment problem? Funny thing is no matter what the issue is, you arent going to want to diagnose of fix it yourself. These trucks are not fun to align. Your upper A arm, if not been removed in 40 years, will be alot of fun to adjust. I personally would go to a Midas. You will get a FREE estimate and they will show you what the problem is. Then fix the problems if so desired.



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