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Hey everyone! I am hoping to hear some thoughts on a very strange issue I am having with my 1990 Chevy G20. I recently, 6 months ago, replaced all 4 tires due to considerable outside wear on the rear tires. A few months later, and I am encountering again very significant wear on the OUTSIDE of the rear tires only. Front tires are completely fine, and wearing evenly. I have visually inspected for camber on the rear thinking they probably have positive camber, when in fact they are actually NEGATIVELY cambered a bit. Not sure what to make of this, as there is really no camber adjustement for the rear due tot he solid axle. I am stumped as to the excessive outside tire wear especially due to the negative camber. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Ill do that, thanks for the response! Would something like a rear end collision potentially cause the problems I am seeing? Also, is it possible for the axle housing to be bent enough to cause this amount of difference in wear and still have it drive normally? I have not felt anything concerning when driving.
Last edited by sumner_nick; Jan 23, 2021 at 7:56 PM.
Ill do that, thanks for the response! Would something like a rear end collision potentially cause the problems I am seeing? Also, is it possible for the axle housing to be bent enough to cause this amount of difference in wear and still have it drive normally? I have not felt anything concerning when driving.
A collision could bend the axle housing. They are very big but not indestructible. I've broken one myself on my K5 driving like an idiot off-road. You could take it to an alignment shop and have them do a 4 wheel alignment but other than bearings there isn't really much you can do other than replace the axle assembly. If it is bent enough to wear the tires that quick I think you could measure it with simple tools.
Measure the toe. Toe wears tires faster than camber. Yes you might have bad axle bearings but you might also have a bent axle housing.
I measure the toe, and idk if there is a correct conversion to use, but it measured 68.125” in the rear, and 67” in the front of the rear tires. Over an inch difference so definitely very toed in... what can I do about this?
That is a boat load of toe in! Time to go to a wrecking yard and pick up a new rear end to swap in. Can't be a truck axle. They are narrower than van axles.
That is a boat load of toe in! Time to go to a wrecking yard and pick up a new rear end to swap in. Can't be a truck axle. They are narrower than van axles.
well I was hoping for something easier, but fortunately there’s not a whole lot going on down there in the rear end. Thanks for all the help!
Excessive outside wear on solid rear axle?
