2005 Yukon XL 4wd. I put new tires on the truck when I bought it in July. I have had it aligned twice now, but the front tires are wearing really ******* the outer edges. I don't go flying through turns, I drive it very gently. When I put the truck in reverse, the front wheels drag across the ground. When I put it in drive, the front wheels plow, causing lots of squealing. In fact, the front tires squeal at anything more than a slight turn. The alignment shop tested the ball joints, and confirmed they are good. The upper control arms are brand new. It tracks straight and true when driving down the road. I'm unsure of what else could be causing extreme wear on the outer edges of the front tires. The back tires look brand new with practically zero wear on them. The fronts look like they have been on the road for 10 years. Please help!!!
Wheels plowing/dragging at low speed
- Thread starter psimm
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SilverSport
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what tires do you have on yours and at what PSI are you running them...
good luck,
Bill
good luck,
Bill
Marky Dissod
Full Access Member
Are your steering links upside down?
Check the orientation of the center link as @SnowDrifter details in this thread:
www.tahoeyukonforum.com
Tahoe swaying side to side on interstate/bumps
any links to these bushings for the lower rear arms? Having trouble finding them. Today I thoght the truck was going to flip over when I hit a bump..not a good feeling.. Thats a good idea on cutting the sway bar links..I need to do that on my reg cab as well..stocks are WAY to long and were...
www.tahoeyukonforum.com
Welcome to the forum from Oregon.
One of these days I am going to get a surprise and when some member posts that they are having tire wear, handling or steering problems and had it aligned, they will have a copy of the readouts, before and after, posted along with the question. @psimm, do you have a copy of that to post on here. Who installed the upper control arms? Were any other components done at same time? Did you do it? Before or after bought? Pic of the front steering would help, too.
One of these days I am going to get a surprise and when some member posts that they are having tire wear, handling or steering problems and had it aligned, they will have a copy of the readouts, before and after, posted along with the question. @psimm, do you have a copy of that to post on here. Who installed the upper control arms? Were any other components done at same time? Did you do it? Before or after bought? Pic of the front steering would help, too.
Have a helper hold a tape measure with you and check the toe in. Measure about 6 inches up from the ground in a certain groove on the front side of the tire and repeat for the back side. Post your measurements here.
Also, since you seem to be having weirdness in reverse as well, check it again after backing up in a straight line without going forward. Basically do a measurement after driving straight forward to a slow stop and then the same in reverse.
The numbers should be different slightly, but if they are WAY off, then there's something being overlooked on the suspension.
Also, since you seem to be having weirdness in reverse as well, check it again after backing up in a straight line without going forward. Basically do a measurement after driving straight forward to a slow stop and then the same in reverse.
The numbers should be different slightly, but if they are WAY off, then there's something being overlooked on the suspension.
Bill, have Michelin Primacy tires on it. Stock 17" wheels. Checked PSI, they are up to spec. I believe 32PSI if I remember correctly
They don't appear to be upside down, and I'm somewhat certain they may be original
Sorry to disappoint and not give you a pleasant surprise. Don't have the before readouts, I'll have to search for the afters. Local mechanic installed the UCAs in conjunction with the wheel hubs/bearings, as my tools are all in storage while stationed in the Middle East. Work was done after purchasing the truck. Doing some other reading/research, I'm guessing the outer tie rods may be an issue, as the steering will "fall" into full lock during sharp turns.
Toe in should be good, as it tracks straight and true. It's the low speed, sharp turns that are destroying the tires. In reverse, it goes straight back without resistance. Backing up and turning is what causes it to nearly come to a stop. When I'm in a dirt lot (which there are lots out here in Bahrain), you can see the front wheels drag when they're turned in reverse.
OK, but it's a super easy check to do. Based on what you're dealing with, toe is most likely too far in. The other option is camber is off and causing the tire to lean out at the top, in at the bottom.
Do your tires look like this from the front:
\ /
Or, do they look like this:
| |
Do your tires look like this from the front:
\ /
Or, do they look like this:
| |
stallion_412
TYF Newbie
Turn the steering wheel hard to one side, and then go figure out what the tires are rubbing against that's bringing them to a stop in reverse. It sounds to me like the inside edge of the tire is rubbing somewhere. Takes a lot of force to stop the tires cold while moving. If it's still not obvious, have a helper move the vehicle in a sharp reverse turn very slowly while you watch. If you still can't figure it out, take a few pics and share here.
Do you happen to have aftermarket rims? This honestly sounds to me like the rim has a different offset from stock and is too far 'in'.
Do you happen to have aftermarket rims? This honestly sounds to me like the rim has a different offset from stock and is too far 'in'.
The camber is | | for the most part, but it seems like there's variation sometimes, but just barely. The toe was in the green when I had it aligned a couple months ago, and the same problem has persisted.
There's no rubbing. The truck is completely stock, all ACDelco OEM parts. My coworker volunteered to help me observe when we get out of the office today, and I will take pictures. Stock, original 17" GMC wheels.
Do you happen to have a picture of the proper orientation? The previous owner was a moron and only took it to the worst mechanics in the country who specialized in hack jobs, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was upside down.
See the link I posted in post #4 of this thread.
Yeah I saw that link, I guess I should have asked for a pic of it with better orientation. I'll get under the truck in the morning and see if I can match the orientation to the picture. Really hoping it's not on upside down because that would exceed my mechanical capabilities haha
Here's a few pics from when I got under it today. A few things I noticed. 1. The Pitman and idler arms don't remain parallel to each other when at full lock. 2. The center link is hitting the blue bushing on the sway bar on the driver side, not the passenger side. 3. The center link is wedged against two metal hoses, but I couldn't determine what they went to. Unless I'm missing it, the frame doesn't look bent. I'm considering firing the parts cannon at it and getting a new center link and sway bar.
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I don't see enough detail as to why it is doing what it is doing. I want to see a farther back shot showing it all straight ahead, left to lock and right to lock....etc.
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