The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk camber and toe in

Hello folks,

Just returned from a road trip in the 41. I had the toe in checked before leaving. I've just finished a post trip check on the truck and noticed that the outside of the tyres are wearing much quicker than the rest. Looking at the front of the truck, the left tyre is wearing more than the right ( its almost bald on about an inch wide band ). Tyres are radials and would only have a few thousand miles on them.

I'm assuming that the camber is off. Whats involved with checking this or is there anything else to look at that might be contributing to this abnormal wear. The truck steers fine as is and doesn't wander about.

Thanks guys

Bob

All you need is a tape measure to check toe in. Measure from the same place on the front and back of the tires, should be aproximately 1/8" smaller in front. Too much will wear outside edge of tires, too little will cause it to wander.

To get an accurate measurement it is best to jack up one front tire on level ground and then put a piece of chalk in some kind of holder and scribe a line by spinning the tire. Do that on the other side. Then measure up to mid height on the front and back side of the tires. Mark those spots with a thumbtack or a push pin. Lower the vehicle and roll it back and forth a couple times to take out the squirm. Make sure you are back in the original position, equal height front and back, and then measure between the two points in front and in back. The front ought to be about 1/8 shorter than the back. I can tell you how to measure camber and caster if you want. But it is a little more complicated. Jim

Chevman and Jim thanks for the info. One other point is the the PO put big radials on this truck 245/75/16 Which seems a bit of overkill to me. I was wondering with this amount of meat on the front would there be any benefit in reducing the toe-in. Also I'm running the front tyres at 40psi. Should they be pumped up a bit more?

Thanks guys

Bob

My suggestion would be to take it to an alignment shop and get it done right,
Scott

Yep Scott the toe-in was done at a shop prior to the trip.

Thanks mate

Bob

I think I would take it back and show them what their adjustments did to your tires. Did they print out a spec sheet after the alignment was done so you could look at the numbers yourself?
Scott

the truck should also have much narrower tread tires - closer to original, not fat soft modern car tires - that alone will change the way tires age and wear

Bill

Scott I will be taking it back. Unfortunately I didn't get a print out though. Lesson learned though and I will be doing it in future.

Bill I feel the same way about these tyres. The PO built this as a show truck. I'll be changing the tyres to something a bit more in keeping with the truck when the time comes.

Thanks again guys

Well guys,

I took the truck in to get the wheel alignment rechecked. I went to a place that deals only with trucks this time. Well no way to do the toe-in properly, the king pins are worn ( noticeable movement with the wheels off the ground). Time to get under there and see what else needs doing to the steering and suspension while I'm at it. Hopefully everything else is ok although if the pins are worn chances are they won't be the only things. The reason for buying a "totally restored" truck was to just get in and drive and enjoy. Well another job to add to the list that I've had to do to this "totally restored" vehicle. It will be totally restored by the time I'm finished with it. At least then I'll be sure of what has actually been done to it.

Anyway enough of being Mr Grumpy, time to slide underneath while the beers are getting cold.

Cheers

Bob