Need New Steers

My rule of thumb is if the new tire is within 3/32nds of the good tire just buy 1 new one. Any farther out than that buy 2 new tires and keep the good one for a spare. Again just my preference.

 

When you replace the tires, replace the shocks all around and get a good alignment.

 

I would recommend new Firestones. The is Wentworth tire place at 113th just west of Dan Ryan. They seems to have best prices I found. You can even negotiate a little. And if you get Firestone credit card, you get 6 months without interest. Im not sure about their alignment shop thou

 

I just don't understand why you'd replace a good steer tire, if just one needs replaced. I don't mind replacing one steer, then replacing the other one 6 months later. But, if someone could provide a reason why you'd throw a good tire away I'd like to know.

I'm intrigued with double yellow running one of those kumho klto2e trailer tires on the steer axle. But if your in Chicago running more local than long haul I'd stick with a steer tire like Michelin or something quality.

 

Haven't put on any kumho's on my steers yet -- current tires aren't terrible for RR...

I'm with you on replacing 1 steer at a time -- I have no problem with it. I do match all drives (prevents wear on diffs & power divider), and I match the duals at each trailer poition (keeps one tire from having too much of the load). But steers? Don't see a compelling reason to spend the extra $500...

 

When it comes to steer tires I'd put a pair on. I've got probably 100k on my Michelin steers and they're still wearing nicely but if one goes both go. Mismatched steers can not saying it will but can cause major issues. ask yourself what's cheaper replacing 1 tire now and 2 in 6 months or replacing 2 tires and running them without problems?

 

What issues? I've heard some "here say" but nothing specific.

Found this on steer rotation:

Steer Tires:


1. One common practice is to rotate steer tires side to side when there is a 3/32nd difference in remaining tread depth between the left front tire and the right front tire (Remember: the left front tire normally wears more quickly than the right front).


2. Some fleets rotate the steer tires side to side every PM. While this is more labor intensive, it helps ensure tire rotations are performed on a regular basis and before irregular wear has a chance to set in.

http://www.bridgestonetrucktires.com/us_eng/answers/doctor_maintenance.asp#1b

 

in theory if all these guys are replacing 2 tires when they only have one bad, then the rest of us should be able to strike a deal on the one still good one, yes ?

 

Replace both steers, new front shock absorbers, 3 axle alignment. I got 175K on a pair of Michelin XZA3, and they had about 20% tread remaining. But - the drivers side tire was out of round because of a bad shock absorber. So I made the right side tire a very strong spare, traded in the egg shaped tire, did the shocks and alignment, smooth as glass now, 6 months. Allied Tire, Joplin, MO, a very good shop.

 

Allied tire is paying some handsome casing credit for tires as well, or sure were when I last did mine, as they were hurting for good casings for their retread plant. I took the first set of steers off this truck at 210,000 miles, still having around 8-9/32nd left because they paid me $150 a tire for the casings and cut me a good deal on the new Michelins. Basically ended up almost getting a 2 for price of one deal. And those tires now have 180,000 on them and 12-13/32nd tread left. Wearing great. I and like was mentioned, I do shocks at tire changes and an alignment. Allied Tire has been my go to shop for truck rubber for years. I use the Des Moines shop.