Alignment/tire wear ? (1 Viewer)

[Kleatus]

Had the dealer align my crewmax at the end of November, and put on a new set of stock size michelin LTX right after.. now, 2,300 miles later there is very noticeable feathering on the outside of FR tire (1.5mm step between sipes in outer tread blocks.) It doesn't pull as bad, but still wanders left pretty quick if you let go of the wheel (less pronounced in right lane, but present on either side of the road crown.)
How common is it for the adjuster cams to appear all over the place? I.e. no symmetry? (I am pretty sure the last place that aligned it screwed it up bad). The dealer didn't touch them, only adjusted toe.

Any comments on the numbers from any alignment gurus? Truck does have 5100's that are I believe on the first notch (3/4" lift?).

 

[1911garand]

Your alignment #s look good if them's the real #s (bad shops can fudge #'s to make it look good on paper, and to get it done fast - ask me how I know). You could get an alignment check at a reputable independent service shop with modern equipment to verify, usually under $100.

Adjuster cams can be all over the place depending on the vehicle, each one is different to set camber and caster.

Tire pressure is critical, but I assume you're on that.
Rotate tires every oil change on modern vehicles.
If you do a lot of in-town tight turning, that will scrub and feather tires as well, not much you can do about that.

Also, OEMs wheel alignment specifications are not all about tire wear, it is about vehicle handling and safety first, tire wear second. When a person sits in the vehicle, all the numbers will change, sometimes drastically. If the fuel tank is full/empty, towing, box load etc...that all changes the numbers.

Alignment is an art - in a past life I did a couple thousand alignemnts at an independent shop with Hunter equipment.

Good luck!

 

[gnob]

the toe numbers are terrible here

 

[1911garand]

the toe numbers are terrible here

I love leaning...please explain! ....been out of the alignment world for a while, I bet there have been changes.

 

[gnob]

I love leaning...please explain! ....been out of the alignment world for a while, I bet there have been changes.

edit: wasn't paying attention
it doesn't take much to feather a tire. especially on the bigger trucks.
i was going to mention keeping rotate mileage to 3k vs "recommended" 5k as well

 

[Kleatus]

Approx 3/4 of those 2,300 miles were one highway trip if it means anything. The rest are gravel roads and the 15 mile highway section of my commute each way. Not much high steer angle in-town driving. I am just surprised to see such visible feathering on one tire after such mileage. There really isn't any other option for a 2nd check (short of driving 2 hours); there's a couple independent places but all they will do is set toe the old fashioned way (and take 3 hours to do it.)

 

[Kleatus]

its toed way out. spec is +.1-.4 hes -.1
it doesn't take much to feather a tire. especially on the bigger trucks.
i was going to mention keeping rotate mileage to 3k vs "recommended" 5k as well

Are you referring to the "before" numbers? Yes it was way off, pulled left hard and ate tires after my previous "alignment" (at an independent shop).

 

[gnob]

Are you referring to the "before" numbers? Yes it was way off, pulled left hard and ate tires after my previous "alignment" (at an independent shop).

ya sorry i guess I am. im a little under the weather

 

[gnob]

now that ive already embarrassed myself, let me try again.

the numbers shown. the lower caster on the left in theory wants to go left. that same wheel camber says right.
so maybe numbers are fudged a bit.
that toe number looks good, possibly a little much, i like to stay closer to 1/8" toe. so that could contribute to the darting.

again sorry for the nonsense prior.