Steer Tire Dipping

Causes of tire wear with pictures.

http://www.kaltire.com/index.php?page=tire-wear-conditions

As far as shocks, with over 300k, if they haven't been changed, they are worn out. If they are black, they probably have not been changed. Having been a lease truck, I can just about guarantee they are original.

BTW, when are you going to take me a ride in that new truck.

 

One should keep track of mileage. Other than visual signs from a leaking shock or cupped tires, you have to pull it off to really see if it's messed up. A bad shock you compress it and it either stays there or barely expands. A good shock takes a little muscle to compress and pushes out strong and steady.

If you are suspecting shocks and already have them off, you might as well replace them.

 

Could be a lot of things, or a combination of things. Simplest way to find the problem is to jack the steer axle up and off the ground. Then check every front end component for slop. Could be a slightly bent wheel, worn shocks, wheel bearings getting loose from wear, kingpins, linkage ends, out of balance or out of round wheel, worn spring hanger bushings, cracked front springs, or even a route with a steep crown on the roadway.

Or a chronically dry fifth wheel.

 

One easy way, and I'm coming again with my handy-dandy handheld infrared laser temp gauge that I use on my tires & wheel bearings, etc, is to scan the base of the shock after the truck has been working for a period of time...say at a fuel stop. Check it and compare temps with other shocks of like position, etc to see if there are substantial differences (cooler) temps which would indicate a shock that's lost it's ability to restrict internally. A shock that is in working condition and doing it's thing will warm things up. Not hot, mind you but friction does heat things up.

Now I guess I've set up this thread for a hijacking.


Edit: O...almost forgot...a good Thanksgiving to all y'all TTR'ers. I'm about to go take my infrared laser temp gauge downstairs and scan that bird in the oven that's smellin' up the place around here. Those on the road (and I've been there many times myself over the years) during the holidays, be safe and have it when you get to it.

 

Ditto, Birdman. What he said...

 

another way to check your shocks is to just touch them at the end of day if they are warm to the touch they are working. its not going to tell you if they are at 100% but you can tell what one is working more than the other by how warm it is. i don't mess with mine until they are leaking or cold after running a trip.

 

Sounds like shocks, check those first they are the most likely culprit , after that check king pin, steering joints and u bolts are tight , it's most likely your shocks though!