I installed a 2" AS levelling kit in 7/08 and got a front end alignment the following day at my Ford dealer. The following month I unexpectedly had to replace my tires (GY Silent Armors $1050, Discount Tire) and subsequently had the alignment rechecked at the Ford dealership. After about 20k miles I noticed significant outer edge wear (and I rotate regularly). At about 30k in 12/09 I had an aligment done again at the dealership's recommendation. At this point I think I may only get ~40k out of these tires, much less than I expected.

I am now wondering if the dealership is aligning to factory specs, and if these specs are not applicable now with the levelling kit, and that's why the wear. I am thinking I need to discuss with them and probably take it to an independent dealer. What do you think?

What made start thinking this was that I started relating a similar problem experienced with having the same dealer adjust the headlight alignment after the levelling kit. They adjusted to "factory specs" which left me with a VERY short light projection (angled down). I subsequently adjusted them myself per the owner's manuel directions, and they are perfect now. Think I might have the same situation with the alignment.

 

I would check out AS site and see if they have any info on alignment specs, or if they have any info about it being different than factory specs. For what it's worth, 40k is hella good on a set of tires in my book. I'm usually lucky if I get 20k, but I beat the hell out of them (and my truck, too). That's why I drive a Ford!

 

Wil check. I'm used to getting 60k-70k miles, but never done on this truck. And at ~$1100 per set for a mid-range tire price, it concerns me, especially with me logging ~23k miles per year. Also bothers me when I have substantial tread remaining in the middle and inside edge of tires.

Update - nothing on AS web site, but did pose the question to them. Awaiting reply.

 

im having the same problem as well. my drivers side edge of the tire is pretty worn down and pulls to the left a slight bit. im told thats the best they can align it due to my tow being maxed out. ive gone to several places and they said the same thing. i kind of deal with it been like this for 15 thou miles..

 

I have 1 question for all of you. are you runing with same pay load for long periods and was the truck aligned with or without regular pay load? I run mine with aprox 1000lbs in the box (Hell wig helper springs and 8ply tires 55 psi in back and 50psi in front ) had the truck aligned with regular pay load and the tires wearing even 10k miles.

 

My regular payload is only ~<200 lbs, and yes it was in it when the alignment was done.

 

It sounds to me like there is too much positive camber if it's wearing the outside of the tires. Possibly could be toe'd in too far. But wear rate would be much faster if it was an issue with toe. I would probably want approximately 1/4 to 1/2 degree more negative camber to get more even wear.

 

when they corrected my truck I vagely remember 1.3 because of the weight maybe you should go to a diffrent alignment shop

 

I agree with 819jack. You can tell by the way the tires are wearing if more or less camber is needed. And the last time I checked alignment specs on a Ford truck, the tolerance is pretty wide on camber settings. Once you see how the tires are wearing, you should know where to set camber.

 

A friend of mine used to work at 4 wheel parts and he said that every single 04-08 f150 that gets a front end leveling kit has to buy a set of adjustable cam locks or nuts or something like that. You can buy them from Oreilly/Autozone or whoever your local auto parts store is and they are like $100. He has installed many many of the leveling kits and he said every time a customer turned them down on the extra part they would be back later because their tires wear prematurely. The leveling kits just throw the camber off and you can't fix it just by getting it aligned, you need the adjustable cams for the camber adjustment.

 

Shikish,

I installed my 2 1/2" leveling kit 16 or so months ago. I had the alignment done the same day. That was about 40,000 miles ago. I am still on the same set of Michelin tires (rotate every 5K), and I have not had a problem. Tires have about 12k - 15k left. I don't know for sure, but I think the Chev. leveling kit involves some kind of cam lock thingy.

 

I install alot of these leveling kits as well, we recomend the adjustment cams but sometimes they are not necisary. the "factory specs" have a large range and the truck might be in "spec" acording to the dealership but it is not perfect. When i align a truck like that i try to get the camber specs as close to zero as posible without messing up the caster to make it pull. So if you are unhappy with the tire wear i would get the alignment cams, pay to have them put in, and take the truck to an alignment shop and have them adjust the trucks camber to zero.

 

not needed. sometimes you run into a truck that refuses to align...then you need to install that alignment kit.


@tooldad, it sounds like your Dealership isn't correctly aligning your tires. Your tires will only wear weirdly like you are describing if the camber is off. I ran the 2.5" and after my alignment, the tires ran perfectly straight, and they wore even. I believe you should visit a local Tire Shop and have them do the job.

as for getting 40,000+ miles out of tires on these trucks...good luck. These trucks on average run 4,500 lbs for a regular cab, and a Supercrew can easily break 6,000 lbs (mine did).

That's alot of weight to carry around...and if you have P rated tires they will wear out even quicker than a LT rated set

 

I guess I'm lucky, or it could be the tire choice. I have been running Michilen tires for a long time - 35 years - and have had very good results - in many aspects. Granted, it cost $1,400.00 to put a set on this truck - you might agree - it's cost effective as well.

 

Thanks guys for all of the input. We have a 4 wheel shop or two around Charlotte, so I will check in with them on the adjustable cam locks. It is possible that the last alignment I got is ok, hard to tell since I had so much wear alreay and have not put that many miles on since then. Stances are though...

My original Pirrellis got about 45k miles before I had sidewall damage to one of them, so replaced the full set. Probably had another 10-15k in them. I do not drive the tires very hard, though I tow occassionally.

On another note, my truck has been in the body shop since 3/14 (separate post). Repairs were complete as of today. Just waiting on insurance payment to get it out of hock. Cannot wait!