Steering loose and outer tire wear

Having some outer tire wear and loose steering. Had alignment done and even rechecked! All is within spec. Thinking I may have upper ball joint issues. Anybody experience these type of issues? Has 134600 miles and I baby that thing!

 

I'd also like to add "Lower control arm bushings" to the list of things that are likely toast at that mileage. When those are shot, an alignment pretty much does nothing and they will yield a LOT of play. Remember, you align the truck's camber and caster by moving the two LCA pivot points inboard and outboard very small amounts. The bushing itself, if destroyed, will allow more movement than the cam bolt turned 180 degrees.

 

No mods just stock. I'm still using my guy from high school. So no spec sheet just gauges and a paper back book. There is a small amount of play coming from inner tie rod. And maybe time to use a modern alignment shop.

 

You can do a damned good alignment at home with nothing more than a 30 dollar digital angle finder, a measuring tape and some straight edges. This is to say a modern alignment shop isnt the end all be all... hell 90% of the guys at a modern alignment shop dont actually know what they are doing.

If you have play at the inner tie rod, its likely the culprit.

 

Any quality alignment tech would immediately ID worn parts that affect alignment, and likely pass on performing the alignment until those parts were replaced.

 

Thanks all! I found a alignment shop here close with a brand new hunter laser machine. That and a different set of eyes to hopefully point out the culprit. Im waving the white flag on this one. Before my tires wear any further!

 

Keep in mind that while the machine is important, it has to be calibrated. And operated by someone who isn't just looking for a green light.

 

I'll keep by best good eye on them!

 

This happened to me. That's what got me to install whiteline bushings in my OEM LCAs.