Where do you think you're goin'?

[Nickelin'Dimer]

Well guys, it's like this...

My '94 2WD LS has a bizarre camber problem that ate the outside edge of my Goodyears up-front. The ball joints show no trouble in the old jack-under-the-LCA test, so I'm thinkin' bushings. Are these to blame? The truck hasn't been in an accident, and this visible difference in wheel angle from F-R is drivin' me nuts!:banghead_ Please help before I must subjegate another pair of Allegras to this, as they put me pretty deep in the hole at $73.00 each.:timebomb_

[Mikz86TA]

has the alignment been checked?

[Hammer Head]

x2.. simplist & easiest way to fix it... also about $40-50 out in that side of town

[Slacker1357]

and Goodyears? allegra? get a good set of tires like Michelin LTX M/S. my tire size was 235/75R15 cost is about $140 ea. but are good all-seasons and last near 80K. Did me wonders for all season. only time I got stuck was when I played in a snow bank with only one tire still on pavement (wet snow). I have been trying to burn up the tires I have on my truck now, so I have a reason to put real all-seasons on.

[Nickelin'Dimer]

Actually Slacker, the Allegra seems to work rather well. It's an all-season luxury-touring tire with an 80,000mi life to it. And it shows (on the rears)! Plus, I once let a buddy of mine who's a pro in the snow take it out once, and he said he was amazed by how well they grab. "Even when they do lose traction, they quick get it right back.", were his words. No worries on the price either now, as I've just found a big store near a friend that has 'em for $53 each. But still, you're right everybody. I guess I should just take it in for an alignment. My only worry is that I first must replace the steering box as it has an oddly worn sector shaft, which I'll be replacing w/ a rebuilt 3rd-gen Z28/Trans Am unit from Auto Zone. Yet, if the bushings are worn that far, that means I'll hafta trust someone else to install the polygraphite bushings I also bought for front & rear along with the 2" de-acrhed tow-package springs that need to go in out back to go with the 2" drop Belltech spindles that are also waiting to go in. Not to mention new ball joints I have on the shelf. All this work means mucho bucks if I don't do it myself, and with not even a friend with suitable compressor & a paved driveway space to spare, that makes me SOL.:irked_125 :headache_ :censored_ Besides, I think I should probably get all that done along with getting the new tires before goin' for an alignment. Or at least get the heavy wrenchin' done then just let the shop handle the mounting & truing, right?

[87wildside]

Get everythink on befor the alignment. Get the tires at the same time so if you ever have a warrenty issue they can't say it was because of a bad alignment. While you have the front end apart you should change the balljoints and at least check the tie rods.

[Slacker1357]

Okay Nickelin'dimer. I never bought or recommended Goodyears for the fact that anyone I personally know has had bad experiences with them. Maybe you've got something. from the sounds of what your buddy says, they're similar traction to the Mich. LTX M/S... just half the price. I just might look back to goodyears again If I penny pinch

thanks

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

As far as tires go, I had the Goodyear wrangler rt/s on mine as stock, and they seemed to go a good enough job. Went playing in the snow a few times and even had it up to the dunes w/ those tires. I like the tires I have now more, but I understand they're not for everyone.

[Mikz86TA]

Different tires, but while we are recommending and *****in' I got one. The Goodyear Eagle GA stock ZQ8 tires SUCK!!!!! My rears lasted about 12K miles and the fronts wernt far behind. And no, there wasnt alot of right foot abuse either. I babied the truck when I bought it. Still do, but I have more 'fun' with it nowadays. Plus, I lost traction at-speed very easily in the wet and of course had little to no traction on take offs in the wet. Changing lanes and feeling the tires spinning freely isnt a very pleasant feeling. I went to replace just the 2. The tire place says "thats an odd size" ...referring to the stock 235-55-16s. Had 2 brands to choose from...Goodyear Eagle GT-H or Tucka-Tucka-BoomBooms. Oh, they could order me the Eagle GAs!! Uhh..how about NOOO!!!!! So, the GT-Hs had a directional tread and a whole lot better traction. Yay, no more lane-change suicide! But the problem was the profile. They looked visibly skinnier. Same brand..same size..skinnier looking tire on the rear. AArrgghhh!! So eventually the fronts wore out shortly after and I just got another pair of the GT-Hs. Looked like I had skinnys on a ZQ8...not cool. But, just like every set of Badyears Ive owned, they didnt last for sh*t. So now I got the 245-60-16 BFG KDWS up front and a pair of Mich. Pilot 255-50-16s out back. Handling is rail-like (need to stiffen up the bushing to poly ones though), wet traction is not scary and quite well, and overall they have both satisfied me. Wear is great too. Looke like Ill have them all for a while =)

[Slacker1357]

For anyone who does not know this... LISTEN UP!
As a tire guy, I know for a fact that most Tires stock with the vehicle "brand new" last about 10-20K miles. no matter the type of tire in anyway.
I had a few customers who had michelins that should last 80K, but these were from the dealer and only lasted about 15-20K "brand new".
I have a feeling this is the way that tire companies get there quick buck in. You have good to great traction, like the tires while they lasted so you buy'em again. other tires, not so much the same story.

It happens with any tire, any size, any type. if they're from the dealer they dont last long. The best I've seen a set last on a car from the dealer was about 35K at best

[Slacker1357]

I went to replace just the 2. The tire place says "thats an odd size" ...referring to the stock 235-55-16s. So now I got the 245-60-16 BFG KDWS up front and a pair of Mich. Pilot 255-50-16s out back. Handling is rail-like (need to stiffen up the bushing to poly ones though), wet traction is not scary and quite well, and overall they have both satisfied me. Wear is great too. Looke like Ill have them all for a while =)

That size is usually an odd-ball size for any tire place to have in stock.
As far as the tires you got, Mich. and BFG., good tire choices. As I used to tell my customers, "you get what you pay for".
If you are only trying to replace the tires to turn back to the dealer, get cheepo's. If you want tires that will take care of you and last long for the money you're spending, don't cheap out, get quality and know what you're buying. If you don't know what you're doing when you enter the tire place of your choice, they will either sell you an average tire, or whatever they have more of in stock.
As a tiresalesman, It was a pain in the arse to pick a tire for a customer. I would be honest and they thought I was just trying to sell them the most expensive tire.

"what about this tire?"-customer
"mam, thats a 195/70r14"-me
"so, it can fit right? it only costs $56.99"-customer
"no I dont think so. You need a 225/60r16"-me
which I still remember for that size tire the pontiac grand am's took that size. the best tire was usually the BFG traction T/A... nice A/S tread

[962dr]

Im loving my General Grabber UHPs .Blazer sticks like glue now.the 255 55 16 is within one inch of the factory tire height(27" versus 28").now I just got to take it down a couple of inches to close up that nasty fenderwell gap.