Hey guys, 

Most of you know that I recently did A LOT of work on my power steering system, including attempting to rebuild the gear box, which failed forcing me to replace it with a reman. Anyway my trucks steering has never been what I would call very bad, but it's always had the usual 10-2 dead spot. The new box and shaft and even Rock Solid Ram Steering Fix bushing did nothing to help that, though the bushing did get rid of the clunking. I am also guilty of sanding the bushing a little too much to prevent binding in cold weather and so I still have a little movement in the shaft. Anyway I got tired of the dead spot and read up on the "over center adjustment". I tightened the screw about 1/8-1/4 turn max. It helped some but I still had a dead spot. After some more research I found quite a bit of emphasis on performing the bearing preload adjustment BEFORE the over center adjustment. Anyway I ordered a spanner wrench and finally performed the bearing preload adjustment after returning the over center to the way it was. Now I was able to turn the nut about 1/4 turn max before it got tight. So I backed it off about 1/8 turn to halve the total movement. It definitely reduced the dead zone and the steering still feels fine. My question is, do I tighten up on the preload more even though there's only about 1/8 turn left? Or do I now adjust the over center? 

The diameter of the tire is what will hurt it. They should be close to the same. They could be different tire brands. I believe some difference is OK but dont know how much. I had to replace a tire once on a set with maybe 15k on it once. DT told it would not hurt the diff. I ran it until the other 3 were gone with no apparent harm. That was about 12 years or so ago. I am sure someone else will know for sure.

Well we took some measurements of the tires to see just how close the hankook is to the mickey thompsons. 

Front Driver: MT 7/32's

Front Passenger: Hankook 9/32's

Rear Driver: MT 11/32's

Rear Passenger: MT 10/32's

We measured the MT w/10/32's and the Hankook and they were both the same. I measured and got 31 3/4's and my buddy measured and got 31 1/2. So I would say they are pretty darn close. So what do you all think, am I safe putting the Hankook on the rear with a MT? Or will I risk it hurting my LS Diff?

 

Oh btw incase the tread pattern matters the MT's are this

and the Hankook is this

Let me know what you guys think

 

Need to do a rolling diameter measurement, measuring height is worthless in this case, different tires have different radius and different rates of squat so to speak but having the same on the front is way more critical than the rear even with a ls diff.

We measured across the tires rather than top to bottom so we wouldn't have the squat to deal with. Is it critical enough for this to need to do the rolling diameter measurement for this? I mean the tires are the same size...why do you say it's more critical to have the matching ones in the front? I thought the LS diff was the big thing to worry about? I want to put the matching ones on the front now for the steering and the oddball on the back, I'm just worried about the diff because the tires are different brands and tread patterns. 

Edited August 23, 20168 yr by leathermaneod

The different brands and tread patterns wont matter except in handling. Unless you are racing around you probably would not notice any difference. I should have stated circumference  instead of diameter. Air pressure could make a big difference in diameter measured on the weighted vehicle. Bill seems to know a lot more on this than I, so I will defer to his expertise. 

Tread pattern isn't really an issue. Like Dave said it's the circumference that is the big thing. When its different from left to right on a differential then the spider gears are rolling constantly. With a limited slip it will be putting stress on the clutch I would assume. 

Ah pressure is one thing I did not think of! I'll have to put the same pressure in both and check circumference. How close would they need to be? I would think they'd have to be close being they are the same size....

Edited August 24, 20168 yr by leathermaneod

This is where doing the axle weight method will get you the best base number for tire pressures.

Check out the dent I found in my oil pan when I had the axle lowered to change control arm bushing and adjust castor.

Im not sure but after looking at it today I'm guessing it was probably caused by that cable at some point. That's my CAD locker.

or maybe it hit th axle at some point. Can't believe I never noticed it before 

Edited August 25, 20168 yr by leathermaneod

Well Look on the bright side, at least you can see your oil pan. Mine is a little oily. Got some leakage going on on mine. Saving all this up for my visit with my old buddy Mikey.

Are you talking about Mickey Master Mechanic  in the mountains of Idaho?

 

He doesn't like to work on them unless they are spotless.

 

Leathermaneod, how can the axle get pushed back like that? Seems impossible but the marks  on the pan don't lie. The trans pressure line is pushed back too. Should check for leaks.

Edited August 26, 20168 yr by JAG1

Thats him. My favorite potato head. I am gathering parts. The first thing I bought was a 5 gallon bucket of orange hand cleaner and 4 50 count packs of shop towels. 

1 hour ago, dripley said:

Thats him. My favorite potato head. I am gathering parts. The first thing I bought was a 5 gallon bucket of orange hand cleaner and 4 50 count packs of shop towels. 

Lol... to bad he will read this as you should stuff a couple rubber chickens along side the engine somewhere for him to find lol.

@JAG1, thats not a trans line, its the cable for my CAD disconnect. I'm not sure if the axle got pushed back, cant see how as the control arms prevent that, or if maybe someone let the engine rock back with the trans out? I'm really not sure what to think of it...I'm not planning on doing anything about it though lol not anytime soon at least. Unless someone gives me a good reason that says I need to...I cant see it hurting anything though as the pickup tube is at the other end...