Ok i am shopping for a new set of tires I currently have a set of 265/75/16 on stock 02 Silverado Z71 rims and i have a set of American Racing AMERICAN ATLAS rims that are 16x8" i think. But i am thinking of either putting 285/75/16 or 295/75/16. But my real issue is that the rear axle looks off center to the left it looks like it is about 1 1/2" more to the left because of the way the tires sit in the wheel wells. So what could be causing this? Any help or input would be great.

 

Try seeing where the hook ups to the frame are for the axle...try measuring their off placement from the tire to determine if in fact it is off center. If they are even, maybe your problem lies with the rims and not with the axle. Has anyone ever worked on the back end on the car? Maybe something was put together incorrectly before...

If the axle is in fact off center you should take the truck in to have this serviced.

Do your back tires wear differently?

 

the only service that has been done on the rear end recently is that it had rear brakes put on it recently. That is as fat as i know because i just bought it about a month ago and the last owners where not to forth coming with the history. I think i might take and have the alignment checked to see if it is off. I am sure that the axle is off center to the left because me and my father looked and it and agree. I just have to find what is the problem. i was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem that could help me narrow it down.

 

Well it's all good...like I said you can measure the offset from the wheels to the axle to frame hookups. Checking the alignment is not a bad idea. Good Luck!

 

i appreciate all the input i will take my measurements today and see what i come up with. i am pretty mechanical inclined but most of my knowledge is engines and electrical i am not great with suspension so i guess it is time for me to learn.

 

I did a visual inspection and took my measurements tonight and nothing looks bent or damaged but the measurement from the bump stop bracket to the wheel is 8 3/4" on the driver side and 8" on the passenger side. The bushings on the shackles look worn as they should fore being rubber and 12 years old i am going to replace them i am not sure if it will help the alignment. If they dont help i will probably just get a 3/4" wheel spacer and do it that way. What do yall think?

 

Spacers are bad news especially one that thick. Puts a lot of stress on the lugs plus you'd need to replace them anyway since there wouldn't be enuf threads for the lug nut w/ that spacer. Not safe.

 

Using a spacer on 1 side to correct the offset is a bad idea, but in general at one time I had 1.75" spacers on all 4 and had no trouble with them.
They were made to order custom made from billet aluminum. I don't use them with my current set up.