Tire wear

[Bigbertha78]

I have a 2004 tahoe Z71 and I've owned the truck for almost 3 years. Thought the tires which are Michelin were new when I bought it but the code on the tires are from 2010. I do live in AZ and have only put around 18,000 miles on it since I've had it. Trying to figure out what the tire wear is from. Everything from from ball joints, control arms, and tie rods have been replaced up front before the wear started. I have slop in the steering, and it does wonder on the road while driving. Could this be the steering box or just crappy tires? Both front tires have the wear.

 

[Kraig]

The tires may have been in a warehouse for a while before installation. Do you drive on gravel regularly? Regardless of the miles or the age, they're ready for replacement. Get an alignment with the new tires and see if the wandering goes away.

 

[Bigbertha78]

I have never driven this Tahoe on gravel, I'm hoping the wander clears up. Just trying to make sure the new tires aren't going to get chewed up after install for a mechanical issue.

 

[#1taho]

Have you checked your steering intermediate shaft? That won't cause tire wear but does cause slop in the steering wheel. The tire wear you have looks to me like they are old and dried out.


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[Bigbertha78]

Yeah I have replaced the intermediate shaft about a year ago. I can turn the wheel and see the play into the box but nothing from the box out.

 

[#1taho]

How many miles? May need a small adjustment


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[BADRIDES]

Those tires are dry rotted. Time to replace

 

[Kraig]

Start by tightening up your box. Someone posted a good write up here on the forums. Tech section maybe?

 

[massivespl]

Michelin are a softer rubber then most tires for a better smoother ride, those tires are 6 years old and most tires need replacing after 7years, those little chips of rubber missing are from either peeling out or from turning or uneven surface and took little chunks of soft rubber out..... Now for those cracks Inbetween the tread, that's from the age, there almost 7 years old.. if it was me I'd run them for 10,000 more miles or so and then replacement time!!!

 

[Bigbertha78]

Tahoe has 130,000 miles on it. In almost three years I've put about 18,000 miles on it. I have adjusted the steering box multiple times now with no help. The only roads I have driven were Arizona roads and back and forth to idaho. I do believe the tires are in need of replacing just wanting to see if any one thinks it's just old tires or a mechanical issue. Thanks for the responses so far.