Wheels not lining up?

Good to know. I thought it had something to do with the wheel issue. I've read mixed stuff on whether balancing was necessary with each rotation. Figured I'd rotate them myself. Guess I need to decide whether I wanna go back to the tire place I bought them from (they torqued 'em to 110 & seemed a little put off when I informed them it was supposed to be 83. Ate some humble pie when they pulled out the book & looked it up. I ended up back there 5 times) or pay someone to do it.

 

I have said before just because one has a alignment rack does not mean you have a clue.

I hear stories now and again of people being told your vehicle is to old we don`t have the specs in the system .

If the wheels are not straight the wheel that is off will be destroying that tire .

Maybe the lock nut on the tie rod was never tightened .

This is one of those up close and in person things

 

Absolutely this. I'd like OP to post a couple of good pictures of both front tires when possible - if possible. Lets see what the wear tells us.

Well, that depends on how you look at it. 110 is correct if they're using N*m. Ft Lbs is 83. Just a thought...

 

Yes, sounds like you need to explain the difference between Newton-meters and Foot-Pounds to them. Hopefully torquing to 110 didn't damage your wheels. If you have the OEM mag seat lugs they are probably fine, but I would still want to verify it didn't do any damage.

 

Talking about Print outs I know a few shops with computer Racks that opted to not buy the printers being old school.

Time flies this could be 10 years ago by now.

 

SO did not see this last night....
It's got 235,000. Bought it with 80,000 & I have not done any of that, so I imagine they are the originals. I am attempting the leaf springs come springtime & had thought that'd be a good time to do bushings all around, get the super size pak from ES.
Funny thing is, even with the play in the steering wheel when at rest, it doesn't feel sloppy on the road. Once in a blue moon when I hit a certain kind'a bump (slopey? Not a sharp type) whilst on a curve to the left, the truck does a couple/few flowy type bounces & that's the only time I feel the steering being affected. I chocked this up to the leaf springs, although I have absolutely no idea why....

 

Definitely put ball joints and the TREs on your list to do sooner rather than later. If there's one thing to know about 1st gens, it's that our lower ball joints have a terrible design that warrant close attention and semi-routine replacement. There's lots of opinions flaoting around on what balljoints to buy, and which ones will instantly kill you. Read my build thread (maybe post #8 or something) I've got a little rant on that...

Anyhoo... one thing to keep in mind with the ES poly bushings is that they do tend to make the ride a little "harsher". There isn't as much give in them as there is with rubber bushings (so they transmit more vibrations). They definitely make it track like it's on rails though. Honestly, I don't really notice any "harshness" to my ride, though maybe I'm just used to it...

Once you replace all the bushings and joints and shocks, it will drive better than brand new.

 

tire pics not showing up

 

All of a sudden I'm putting my messages in the quoted blue part. Flakin'....

It was dark when I got home, so I'll have to do that tomorrow. Just the tires/tread?

 

Yup. New/February Cooper AT's.
To my knowledge the lock nut would not have been loosened for any reason, I mean since I have owned the truck. Nope, wait, frame in 2010.... That's it though....

 

Yep, so maybe turn steering wheel full lock to left, picture head-on so tread is visible. Repeat for passenger side.

What your looking for is something along the lines of:

https://www.allstate.com/blog/tire-wear-patterns-what-can-cause-uneven-tire-wear/

 

That lock nut needs to be loosened if any tie rod adjustment is needed .

If they can`t be broke loose and the tech is just putting in time that part just might be skipped .

Then if they got a text from Mom and got distracted it might never been tightened.

If you can get through a alignment without adjustment your truck is in better shape then 99% out there.

 

Gotcha.... Thank you. Getting my alignment education on this round. So if said nut was broke loose & then tightened, would this tech then be likely to notice that one of the ends was in need of replacement? I did not have enough time to do what @Martian__ suggested, however I did check for play the driver's end has some & I can hear a very slight pop coming from it. That is the side that turns out.

 

I looked up checking the tie rods for play the driver's end has some & I can hear a very slight pop coming from it. That is the side that turns out. Posting the tires anyway Just in cases.... I just rotated, that is why these are pics of the rears....

Left

Right

 

Thanks for posting those shots. I don't know to be honest - sorry. Possible (and I stress possible) minor shoulder wear on the LEFT. Its hard to tell.

I'm curious - what is this?

 

& as light dawns on marble head (in anticipation of a likely question), no. It did not even occur to me to check the nut. I'll check it in the a.m.

 

Leaf spring assist as a temporary fix because I REALLY did not want to be attempting another uncharted territory truck job once the temps dropped. Looks like I may have one to do anyway.

 

So I decided to attempt the tie rods today. Had some appts & then ran around picking up parts, tools.... All that added up to not getting started til 2:30. I decided to start with the cotter pin since it looked a bit rough. Yup. 2 hours later, which included jacking up the truck, grabbing whatever I needed & of course many trips in & out looking for things I could use to MacGyverette the issue. I looked it up & the advice was to brake off the points & then use a wrench instead of a socket & snap the head off along with the nut. Sound about right? & the grease boot has little to no grease cuz the top ring is gone. Me thinks this guy who gave my suspension thumbs up twice did jack nothing or close to it. & now that I am being taught about alignments (as well as other things I should more thoroughly check, like boots), should the pin be in that rough a shape since I had one done in April or so?