Steer tire wear

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by W Bench Farms, Apr 15, 2021.

  1. W Bench Farms

    W Bench Farms Light Load Member

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    I have a driver side steer tire that is wearing uneven on the second rib in from the inside, and some on the inside rib. Tire only has 15 to 20,000 miles on it. Passenger side tire is not wearing like this one is. I need to jack up the front end and see if I have anything loose, but any ideas what I might need to be looking for? This is on a 1995 fld120.
     
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  3. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    Jack it up under the front axle on that side and pry between floor and tire to check for king pin slack. Also pull side to side to check for tie rod slack. I wouldn’t be surprised if you have a bad king pin though. Probably both are bad. Other than that, check air pressure and your alignment.

    Could probably be your bushings on the leaf springs too. Look closely around them to see if there’s any shiny metal to show fresh rubbing.
     
  4. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    Check wheel bearings for any slop as well
     
  5. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    Check the passenger front for feathering on the out side ribs.
    If it has outside feathering the rear axel has right thrust and you have a rear axel alignment problem.
     
  6. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    Good point I forgot about thrust angles
     
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  7. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Might be a long shot, but when I steer all the way to the right, my left steer makes contact with the end corner of the pitman arm. Then those two ribs get kind of beat up, and it wears them down faster. Rest of the tire, and the right side tire are perfect.
     
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  8. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    That was the issue with the 99 when we 1st got it. Rear was way way off. Just on the 1700mi ride home it chewed a good bit off the steer

    Take it to a good alignment shop not some truck stop with a machine and goons running it
     
  9. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    From personal experience
    I Highly recommend any of the MD alignment shops.
    There common sense old school approach can not be beat.
    They are the only ones I use since I had issues with failed high tech laser alignments.
    Since the MD alignments I have had Zero tire wear issues and it tracks straight down the road with a straight steering wheel.
     
  10. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    screw your steer stop out on steering knuckle. Dot sees that it will be an out of service.
     
  11. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    FLD my guess is the leaf spring shackle/hanger on the rear of the steer axle springs. Can get more shims from freightliner, or just replace it..
    -4844059046032013823_1.jpg
    Mine is on the list. Kingpins & wheel bearings just done..
     
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