Awesome. Rear tire feathering. Cause?

[monster1]

I just noticed rear tire wear on my 2004 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9 cummins. Tires are expensive, so I try to keep an eye out for feathering and cupping on the front tires especially. I noticed this on the REAR tires the other day. You can see the feathering on the driver side mostly, but they are both feathered on both edges.

I sent the same pictures to a guy I know who owns his own shop. He sent the pics to his alignment guy who said it could only be a bent axle or recently rotated tires that the front chewed up. I had the tires rotated and rebalanced in California before I headed back to the east coast.

At that time, the front and rear tires were smooth as glass and the front end didn't need an alignment. I drove back with a uhaul cargo trailer in tow. Forward about 8000 miles since leaving California, this is the wear pattern. I took the truck to a tire shop. They put it on the rack but said everything checks out. But they said an alignment would be a good idea. I told them the shocks all the way around are over ten years old and tired. I have them on order and once replaced, I'll bring it back for an alignment.

So what could cause this wear? It's a solid rear axle with leaf springs, so there isn't an adjustment that I'm aware of. I'm thinking bad shocks or weak rear leaf springs? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Yup, bad shocks. The tire is bouncing up and down slightly as it travels over the road instead of maintaining full contact.

 

[meep]

Those are tall blocks under the leaf springs. How tall is the lift? There could be some other vibrations with that much leverage against the spring through the tall block … this is not an underpowered truck.

 

[gfh77665]

Shocks. Don't toss the tires, they are too expensive, fix the issue and roll on.

 

[monster1]

Appreciate it. I've got new ones all the way around on order. Hopefully this clears it up.

Those are tall blocks under the leaf springs. How tall is the lift? There could be some other vibrations with that much leverage against the spring through the tall block … this is not an underpowered truck.

It's a five inch skyjacker. I've had the truck lifted since 2005. Never had an issue other than death wobble that I fixed myself years ago. I dont drive hard. Never had an issue with tire wear till now.

 

[monster1]

Shocks. Don't toss the tires, they are too expensive, fix the issue and roll on.

That's what I intend to do.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Appreciate it. I've got new ones all the way around on order. Hopefully this clears it up.

It's a five inch skyjacker. I've had the truck lifted since 2005. Never had an issue other than death wobble that I fixed myself years ago. I dont drive hard. Never had an issue with tire wear till now.

What shocks did you order?

 

[CapriRacer]

Could the feathering be the result of too much inflation pressure?

I wonder if the current tires are much larger than the original tire size and the net effect is that the inflation pressure needs to be lower so the footprint stays in proper contact with the ground. If the pressure distribution in the footprint is such that the center is much higher than the shoulders, then when the tread elements leave the footprint, the center elements are scrape more.

So what does the vehicle tire placard say for the original tire size and inflation pressure?

What size are those tires and what pressure do you run?

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Could the feathering be the result of too much inflation pressure?

I wonder if the current tires are much larger than the original tire size and the net effect is that the inflation pressure needs to be lower so the footprint stays in proper contact with the ground. If the pressure distribution in the footprint is such that the center is much higher than the shoulders, then when the tread elements leave the footprint, the center elements are scrape more.

So what does the vehicle tire placard say for the original tire size and inflation pressure?

What size are those tires and what pressure do you run?

You're overthinking it. This isn't what over-inflated larger diameter all-terrain or mud terrain looks like. This is irregular wear because his shocks are ancient and also trying to control an increased amount of unsprung weight on top of it.

 

[Silverado12]

How did you fix your death wobble? Is that a loose ball joint or tie rod issue? I recommend heavy duty shocks for all pickup trucks. They take virtually all the bounce out of your ride and gives you a firm but good ride.

 

[monster1]

What shocks did you order?

I bought skyjacker again.

 

[monster1]

How did you fix your death wobble? Is that a loose ball joint or tie rod issue? I recommend heavy duty shocks for all pickup trucks. They take virtually all the bounce out of your ride and gives you a firm but good ride.

It was a combination of things. I never should have lifted the truck, but I was young and stupid at the time. After I had the lift installed, it started death wobbling after hitting a bump. Only thing that would bring it out was to slow down or stop. Everything was tight so the shop was scratching their heads. After they told me to trade it in for a Chevy, I knew I was on my own. After I installed a dual steering stabilizer, upgraded steering linkage, and steering box brace, the issue went away.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Nitto recon grappler? How do you like them? thinking about putting a set of them on my Wrangler.

 

[monster1]

Nitto recon grappler? How do you like them? thinking about putting a set of them on my Wrangler.

They are ok. Seem to wear quickly. I like BFG better.