I am unsure if this has been raised previously, however following an issue I have recently experienced on our dual axle rocker suspenion van I thought it worth posting.
The van has travelled approximately 40,000k over the past two and a half years and until recently everything has been fine. However around 2000k ago I noticed severe wearing on the inner side of both tyres fitted to the right hand side of the van. The left side tyres are still in very good condition. My initial reaction was something had bent ( e.g. axles or stub axles) however after thorough investigation and carefull checking of measurements and using a straight edge, I ( together with assistance from two mechanics and a wheel alignment specialist) could not find any obvious faulty parts.
This led me to more fully investigate the problem and it seems I am not alone as several experienced nomads I spoke to had similar issues on either one or two tyres. My continual probing led me to an article that was written some time ago by a manufacturer ( regrettably now deceased) that pointed to the main cause of irregular tyre wear such as I experienced was due to lack of regular tyre rotation combined with poor balancing. The article recomended rotating all tyres/wheels in a X pattern every 10,000 kilometres and using Dynamic Balancing Beads inside the tyres. Apparently many owners have been down the expensive path of fitting new components ( axles, stub axles, u bolts, springs etc) with zero result.
I have now discovered a number of fellow travellers who are doing this rotation plus utilising the Dynamic Beads and their irregular tyre wear issues are now a thing of the past. I have just received the balancing beads purchased on E bay from the US at approx $50 AUD including postage and intend to have them placed in the new tyres I am about to purchase.
For the record I have checked the tyre size, ply rating etc to ensure they are correct for the van and the weight placed on them, plus I have a good quality tyre gauge and regularly check the pressures.
Has anyone experienced similar issues and taken this course of action or is there an alternative I have missed.
David.
exa41 said
10:02 PM Sep 17, 2015
Isn't it strange that it is only the right hand side that was at fault. You would think that if it was a balance ,alignment problem that it would be on both sides .I notice on my tandem trailer that quite often the wheels seem to be pointing in different directions , another thing that I think about is the direction of rotation when swapping tyres around ,on my road car I have the tyres removed from the rims and remount Edson as to rotate in the original direction.does the van have stability control where by the brakes are applied ,just a thought.
Aus-Kiwi said
01:03 AM Sep 18, 2015
Tyres pressures, wheels bearings ?
Bravehearts said
07:35 AM Sep 18, 2015
Re tyre pressures and wheel bearings, I did state in my post the pressures are checked regularly ( i.e every three weeks) and the wheel bearings have been serviced twice at 20,000k intervals. However I appreciate the comment.
patrol03 said
08:06 PM Sep 18, 2015
Interesting problem. Same thing happened to a van I had some 20 years ago but it was the tyres on the near side that wore.The van had the major appliances and the sink on the same side. Almost identical symptoms as you are experiencing. Perhaps your van has more weight on the off side? Just a thought. In addition if all things are equal,and the suspension is in good condition what happens on the off side one could reasonably expect the exact opposite would occur on the near side. With 40+Km on the tyres I would be inclined to swap them to the opposite side and note the wear.Were the wheels balanced previously?Most manufacturers sell new vans with unbalanced wheels from new.Tyre selection may come into the equation.Are the walls stiff and rigid or soft and pliable.I am coming up to 40K on my own van that has rather rigid and stiff Chinese brand.Quite soon I will refit them with a set of 8ply LT Michelins and keep the old ones for the car trailer.Look forward to hear how you go with the problem.
greyhoundtom said
08:10 PM Sep 18, 2015
While like a lot of people on here never having experienced that particular problem, I have not investigated any possible causes.
However it does strike me that because as you say everything was good for 40,000 km with the trouble starting 2000 km ago that something with the whole system has changed recently for this to occur now.
To me under those circumstances balancing rotating and balancing beads just don't do it, and in my honest opinion it has to be caused by some other factor, which most likely is a worn part that is allowing the wheels to move to the extent of causing uneven wear.
A real hard look at the whole suspension including the bushes and springs is indicated in my book.
Cheers, Tom
PeterD said
08:43 PM Sep 18, 2015
Bravehearts wrote:
My initial reaction was something had bent ( e.g. axles or stub axles) however after thorough investigation and carefull checking of measurements and using a straight edge, I ( together with assistance from two mechanics and a wheel alignment specialist) could not find any obvious faulty parts.
Despite what you say here I would still suspect you have a mechanical problem. Tyre wear like that is more than just lack of rotation. Was the wheel alignment specialist a truck aligner or just a car aligner? I have had excellent results taking my van to a truck aligner (aligner specialising in trucks and trailers.)
Baz421 said
09:08 PM Sep 18, 2015
High camber roads may do this but wouldn't normally wear so quick.
We had a right rear tyre wear out completely on 30mm of inside tread, with about 80% on remainder of tyre.
Suspected a worn bush so I watched the next tyre like a hawk for feathering/wear, till we got home. No wear, nothing abnormal, so I put this down to a one off tyre manufacturing problem. Still no abnormal wear after about 10,000km.
I would not suspect a tyre rotation issue either,,, has either/both axles moved aft??? Suggest you measure form centre of ball to axle tips, check centre bolts, plates etc.
On recent trip to NSW in 8 weeks on the road we saw heaps of vehicles, semi trailers and one B double trailer crabbing noticeably.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:36 PM Sep 19, 2015
Bravehearts wrote:
Re tyre pressures and wheel bearings, I did state in my post the pressures are checked regularly ( i.e every three weeks) and the wheel bearings have been serviced twice at 20,000k intervals. However I appreciate the comment.
Maybe serviced ? But ARE bearings are done properly ? this is one big reason..
All this rubbish about tyre rotation ! Ok so ALL tyres wear and you DONT know there's an issue ..
It's a sales pitch like its the customers fault .. Had the same argument with new cars ..
They charge for it and it's not necessary .. It would rather replace two tyres than 5 ..
If alignment is out I want to know ..
Could be bad tyre's too .. I have had dunlops lose their tread..
Mutt said
12:28 AM Sep 20, 2015
I have a triaxle van. It's only travelled 15,000 klms from new and has scrubbed the left front tyre on the outside edge. Not the whole tyre. Fitted the new spare and no sign of scrubbing yet. One problem is these days there isn't much quality control of products. Yes I agree about Dunlop tyres. I don't think they have ever made a round tyre or one that wears evenly.
greyhoundtom said
02:33 AM Sep 20, 2015
As recommended by one dealer confronted by a customer with a van still under warranty where the tyres on one side were scrubbing out on the edge of the tread most likely due to a poorly aligned independent suspension ..........................Just pump the tyres up to a minimum of 50 lbs and that will fix the problem.
It certainly does stop the tyre scrubbing out on the edge of the tyre, unfortunately it then just wears most of the tread out quicker, but at least it doesn't look as bad. If some tyres on the van wear out quicker than they should you can always blame the tyre manufacturer.
Cheers, Tom
Baz421 said
06:06 PM Sep 20, 2015
Mutt wrote:
I have a triaxle van. It's only travelled 15,000 klms from new and has scrubbed the left front tyre on the outside edge. Not the whole tyre. Fitted the new spare and no sign of scrubbing yet. One problem is these days there isn't much quality control of products.
Agree Mutt. As I also posted above we had 1 tyre only that wore out a 30mm inside strip on a RH tyre.
I think you are right re quality control or lack of it. With brand loyalty no longer a prime issue for sales execs (as we swap loyalties easily these days) so just let the cost be the driver and not worry about us as we are "not loyal" to brands like we were in the 60's IMHO.
A sign of more to come I think.
Bravehearts said
09:03 AM Sep 21, 2015
Many thanks for all the responses. Greatly appreciate all comments.
David
However it does strike me that because as you say everything was good for 40,000 km with the trouble starting 2000 km ago that something with the whole system has changed recently for this to occur now.
To me under those circumstances balancing rotating and balancing beads just don't do it, and in my honest opinion it has to be caused by some other factor, which most likely is a worn part that is allowing the wheels to move to the extent of causing uneven wear.
A real hard look at the whole suspension including the bushes and springs is indicated in my book.
Cheers, Tom
Despite what you say here I would still suspect you have a mechanical problem. Tyre wear like that is more than just lack of rotation. Was the wheel alignment specialist a truck aligner or just a car aligner? I have had excellent results taking my van to a truck aligner (aligner specialising in trucks and trailers.)
High camber roads may do this but wouldn't normally wear so quick.
We had a right rear tyre wear out completely on 30mm of inside tread, with about 80% on remainder of tyre.
Suspected a worn bush so I watched the next tyre like a hawk for feathering/wear, till we got home. No wear, nothing abnormal, so I put this down to a one off tyre manufacturing problem. Still no abnormal wear after about 10,000km.
I would not suspect a tyre rotation issue either,,, has either/both axles moved aft??? Suggest you measure form centre of ball to axle tips, check centre bolts, plates etc.
On recent trip to NSW in 8 weeks on the road we saw heaps of vehicles, semi trailers and one B double trailer crabbing noticeably.
Maybe serviced ? But ARE bearings are done properly ? this is one big reason..
All this rubbish about tyre rotation ! Ok so ALL tyres wear and you DONT know there's an issue ..
It's a sales pitch like its the customers fault .. Had the same argument with new cars ..
They charge for it and it's not necessary .. It would rather replace two tyres than 5 ..
If alignment is out I want to know ..
Could be bad tyre's too .. I have had dunlops lose their tread..
It certainly does stop the tyre scrubbing out on the edge of the tyre, unfortunately it then just wears most of the tread out quicker, but at least it doesn't look as bad. If some tyres on the van wear out quicker than they should you can always blame the tyre manufacturer.
Cheers, Tom
Agree Mutt. As I also posted above we had 1 tyre only that wore out a 30mm inside strip on a RH tyre.
I think you are right re quality control or lack of it. With brand loyalty no longer a prime issue for sales execs (as we swap loyalties easily these days) so just let the cost be the driver and not worry about us as we are "not loyal" to brands like we were in the 60's IMHO.
A sign of more to come I think.