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| | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | In a couple of stretches of interstate around here they have installed grooved concrete pavement. When I drive on this pavement my steering seems unstable. The truck wants to dart left or right and I have to stay really on top of it.
On smooth asphalt or concrete I can take my hands off the wheel and she tracks straight as an arrow.
I have stock suspension in this '51 1/2 ton with 6.50x16 bias ply tires with good tread.
Curious to know if anyone else has experienced this, and what if anything to do about it?
Kurt | | | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 | I have had the same problem with bias ply tires. I used to drive a 79 ford and I put bias plies on the front and radials on the back (I was broke). The truck was scary. It would shoot off into the other lane with no notice whatsoever. I changed the tires as soon as I could raise the money.
Gene
1959 Apache
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | I have found that with the old bias ply tires that by increasing the air pressure it helps some. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | one of the many reasons radials replaced bias ply tires, and one of many reasons anyone that actually uses an old truck on the road should switch
Bill | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | So I take it that I'm not the only one who has experienced this problem when driving on gooved pavement with bias ply tires? It seems like it is a common occurance?
I was concerned that this my be a symtom of some problem with the steering, but it sounds like tires....
Guess I'll start saving up for those Coker 6.50 x 16 radials I've been coveting...
Kurt | | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | Have you checked your toe-in?
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | Sweet,
Yes. Alignment is good and recently checked.
Kurt | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 348 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 348 | adding more caster, helps, wedge shims between the leafs and axle | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | Its a typical situation with bias-ply tires. I have new 650-16s on my 49 and it wanders but it does not flat spot, even after sitting for a month. Radials sound nice but when I bought a set (215-85R16) two dealers would not install them as my rims were too narrow. They said I need a 6" rim. So I bought Firestone bias-ply and am very happy with them. | | |
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