Tread height, can i run new pair with old set?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Gotalotofqs, Jan 20, 2020.

  1. Gotalotofqs

    Gotalotofqs Guest

    so i have one tire on the drives thats wearing out badly. Planning on fixing the cause but can i replace that set with new wheels?
     
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  3. Idahojoel

    Idahojoel Light Load Member

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    Yes
    If you have an alignment issue you could measure tread and try to match it if the other tire is decent until you get it fixed
     
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  4. zaroba

    zaroba Heavy Load Member

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    The set as in both tires? Wont be a problem as long as there isn't a major difference between the left and right side, like brand new tires on one side vs less then half tread on the other. Inside taller and outside shorter tire will have more load and thus wear a bit faster.

    Could try and find a used tire with close tread depth to the existing tire. A taller tire in a set of duels will wear faster until it gets to the same tread depth as the other tire so don't waste money on buying a tire with more tread then you need.
     
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  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Hard and fast rule: NEVER mix worn with new in a pair of duals. You'll cup the worn one badly and cause the new one to wear faster.

    You can put a pair of new tires on the side opposite of worn tires. Be aware that the spider gears in the diff will be constantly turning in order to equalize road speed. Same can be said of the inter-axle diff. New tires on one axle with worn out tires on the other will make its spider gears rotate all the time and will cause binding if you leave the inter-axle lock engaged on good ground.
     
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  6. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    What do you mean by "replacing the set"? A pair on one side of the axle or all tires on an axle?

    Yes, for the most part. The standard "open" axle differential is designed to give more torque/power to whatever axle is spinning faster. So you can turn a sharp corner and it won't spin the inside wheel. So if the right side has tall rubber and the left side has low rubber it would be able to compensate...

    Somewhat, at a cost of more stress on the differential. If it's constantly trying to adapt when you are going straight down the road it will wear on the metal gears as you go. It will work, but it will cost metal/gear wear.

    I think you are "ok" to replace tires on only one side of an axle. It won't explode. But, the axle gears will wear out faster.

    Try and replace all the rubber all across the axle if you can.
     
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  7. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    I know the OP is only talking about two tires, but if your doing 4 then Mike Beckett recommends mounting the 4 new ones on the right side of the truck. His reasoning is the crown of the road with make the difference less noticeable that doing all 4 on the same axle and you’re making up the difference with the diffs and not the inter axle diff. I’ve never tried it, I always just buy 8. Curious as to what your opinion is of his idea.
     
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  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I don't really mess with alignments and stuff. I'm more or less completely in the off-highway sector nowadays. I've only ever seen guys install new tires by axle. His logic does make sense. I do know from what little alignment-related work I've done in the past that the biggest tire on an axle should go to the outside of the passenger side for road crown like you mentioned.
     
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  9. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    you can replace tires 2 at a time in pairs in each corner. don't mix and match tires within each pair of duals though or they will scrub themselves to death in a quick hurry but replacing both tires in a pair of duals on any one corner is normally fine in most trucks. with only a few exceptions like a mack with the autolocking interaxle
     
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  10. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I just replace the whole thing. If one tire of the two coming off that wheel is good, it will go into the trailer spares pile.

    Might even replace all 4 on the drives back there on that side just to be good. I like my trucks to have good feet.

    The next problem is shop. Find the root cause in your entire tractor and fix the basic issue that is eating your tires. Then you wont have to keep eating tires.
     
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  11. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    If it's the inside tire on that position that is wearing badly you might have a suspension or hub bearing issue. Too much end play on the hub bearings with cause cupping/feathering. Has that position ever been taken apart?
     
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  12. Gotalotofqs

    Gotalotofqs Guest

    Thanks guys for the advice. I can count on good solid tips from you drivers. The shocks were bad and have been replaced. Also, the bearings were checked and they seemed ok. Now looking into getting it aligned. I got the truck used so im not familiar with the history and i hope once i take it to the shop and replace those two wheels the problem wont return.
     
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