Truck Tire Question

Jeff NWOH · Feb 11, 2017

Long story short. I have a GMC Topkick with 10r22.5 tires. Was involved in an accident a week ago where the other car hit me in the back axle from the front. Bent outer wheel slightly on the rim. Also broke the leaf spring on that side and shoved the axle back 5 or 6 inches. Both tires are still holding air.

The apraiser came out and looked truck over a few days ago. After looking at the obvious damage, I mentioned to him that I thought they should replace both tires as they took a direct hit from a car hit at about 35 mph. He kind of looked at me like I was nuts. Well, I got his estimate and no mention of new tires. There is a new wheel listed and labor to put the old tire on the new wheel.

Am I nuts? Would you guys run those tires? They aren't worn out bald tires. Very few miles on them. Accident wasn't my fault.

On a side note..... I also mentioned some concern that the axle may have been bent. There was mention of checking that on the estimate. Just wondering how hard of a hit it would take to bend a big ( well, medium duty) truck axle.

Steve@Advance · Feb 11, 2017

I would be more worried about the axle tube being bent than the tire.

While the tire is off the wheel, look it over for cuts on the inside if you think it may have been pushed against the wheel.

But I would also want to pull the drum and hub off, take a look at the axle tube for being bent or cracked.

KenL · Feb 11, 2017

I would take it to a truck frame & axle shop and have them check the tires, axle and spring assy and U bolts on the other side. To move the axle that far, something definetly got moved or sprung on the other side also.

Oldiron29 · Feb 11, 2017

Jeff, I think do to the impact the belting in the tire is damaged or broken and would not pass inspection at your local inspection station. There for they must be replaced. You know if you went to the inspection guy and told him you want to save the tire. He would say sorry the internal belting's are broken, you need new tires.

Janicholson · Feb 11, 2017

An imperfect, but usable way to check the axle for straight is to put a string to it. Use duct tape to hold a garden string to the outside of the right side dual on the sidewall 1/2 way up. stretch the string across the tread of that tire and its inner mate. run it across the width of the vehicle to the "hit" side, and adjust it so it just grazes the far side inner dual. If it touches the inner dual on the hit side (or really really close), it might be straight. If an inch off, it is bent. If close but no cigar, it should be checked with alignment tools by a shop. I personally think that unless there is cuts or abrasions on the inside of the tire it is probably OK. Jim

Bob Bancroft · Feb 11, 2017

The adjuster will make or break you in these situations. I've been in two, both with a truck similar to yours, neither was my fault. I lost a lot on the first one- truck was totaled. I made money on the second. Rear axle was shoved back enough drive shaft pulled apart!

Replace ALL rear springs. Hard to know about the tire. I doubt the axle was hurt.

Jeff NWOH · Feb 11, 2017

The other side is tweaked too. The axle turned on the spring pad and bent the u bolts. They just want to replace the main leaf on the broken side.

I can order 2 new spring sets for what they quoted for the one main leaf. I will probably take the money and fix it right.

After it's drivable, I'll have to take it to an alignment shop and have the axle checked.

Jeff NWOH · Feb 11, 2017

I had thought of a string or straight edge to check across the tires. Like you say, not exact but it would let me know if it was way off.

Adirondack case guy · Feb 11, 2017

Pics can be deceiving, but your rear duals sure don't look like the tires are parallel to me. Pull a tape measure across the front and back of the tires like you would, if checking toe in/out, on the front wheels of a tractor or wagon. That would be a good starting point.
Loren

Frank 41 · Feb 11, 2017

It looks like there might be some twist to the axle housing. I would let a spring shop look at it BEFORE settling. The tires wouldn't worry me as much as the frame, axle housing, springs, and mounts.

Jeff NWOH · Feb 11, 2017

I think it may be the angle I took the pic from. I'll try putting a tape on them tomorrow. Will be easy enough to do by myself.

I can say it sure drives weird with the axle that far out of wack. I'm not even sure I can get it in my 12' shop door it's dog tracking so bad.

Batel · Feb 11, 2017

Thirty some years ago when I worked for North American Van Lines there was a 16 year old that tried to turn out of the turn lane that was shortly to be occupied by one of our Freightliner CO's. The left tire of the truck hit his right front tire and just kind of drove the whole thing to the pavement on his Mustang. Car totaled, no apparent damage to truck. Tire looked perfect. Two weeks later it blew. I wouldn't trust those tires, nor that axle. I'll bet it's bent.

Olliejunkie · Feb 11, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:49:49 02/11/17) I think it may be the angle I took the pic from. I'll try putting a tape on them tomorrow. Will be easy enough to do by myself.

I can say it sure drives weird with the axle that far out of wack. I'm not even sure I can get it in my 12' shop door it's dog tracking so bad.

I would not accept any money. Appraisers will push you around and pay as little as they can if you let them. That is what they're paid for. I would take it to a shop and get quote to have it fixed.

steve_in_mo · Feb 11, 2017

I think a couple of guys have made really good suggestions. Take the truck to a good frame shop and then to the DOT inspection station, on a trailer if you have to. One more is for after those inspections give you a checklist of what needs fixed. Get your insurance company to pay for fixing the truck right and then they can file a subrogation claim against the other company. I had to do that once after a guy pulled out of a line of stopped traffic into my lane (didn't look or signal) on wet slick asphalt.

JayinNY · Feb 11, 2017

Look at this zoomed in pic? Looks ok, I wonder if the shadows, wet tires and mud lines on the side wall make it look like what you see? The center line of the rims looks tight, although a rim could be bent?
As far as front to back, being bolted on the way they are, I can't see how they could move.

IH4386 · Feb 11, 2017

Working as a frame tech at a heavy duty truck shop for 15 years now I've seen a lot of these types of damages to rear axle and frames. Just last week one came in almost identical to your pictures. I would caution any settlement to your damage before you take the truck to a reputable frame shop and have the complete truck looked over and a complete estimate for repairs and damages written up. In this case I would recommend that both rear spring packs be replaced with new, if only one side is repaired or replaced the truck may lean to the old spring side when loaded due to use and stress the spring has endured over the years compared to new, and a lean is not good when it comes to any type of dump truck. Second I would have the rear axle checked for being bent and have the frame checked also, believe it or not it does not take much to bend an axle tube with any kind of shock type impact and it appears you have only a single frame in which is the same as the axle, it doesn't take much to put a side sway in frame. The tires and rim would be replaced without question and a complete alignment to finish out complete repair of damage.

Adirondack case guy · Feb 12, 2017

I was referring to the RH set of duals being parallel to the LH set of duals. "bent axle housing" which he was asking about.

Leroy · Feb 12, 2017

I think you will find the frame is bent where those bolts fasten to. Load up and take to two different shops and get written estimate, then try to fight.

JOCCO · Feb 12, 2017

Jeff I to have been around heavy rucks most of my life. I agree with member IH that it should be looked at and fixed by a truck shop. I too have seen many of these fixed in back yard and tires wear, axle keeps snapping etc. Check your state laws on insurance and get an estimate from a professional shop!!! For what its worth my accident came out ok no problems with the insurance company. Others has had to look at sueing them.

ss55 · Feb 12, 2017

If one or both of the rims on the hit side are bent, it could give a different measurement every time the wheel is turned a little bit. Better to let a truck frame shop check it to be safe. They know what to look for and should have the equipment to measure very accurately.

What year is the truck and how good is it's condition?

ss55 · Feb 12, 2017

Be aware that with the loose axle on the hit side, the hit side wheel will walk forward when you accelerate and it will move backward when you brake. The only thing holding the axle is the U-bolts on the other side.

caterpillar guy · Feb 12, 2017

Once you sign the check it is all over but the crying. It needs to go to a frame shop and I will bet the u-bolts on the opposite side are bent at the least. I would doubt the axle is bent. You do need to measure from the center of the front axle, to the ends of the axle spindle on both sides to check for true, if you want it to drive straight. I would for get about bothering to fix it myself. Let the insurance company pay for it. Also if something happens later, it could be blamed on you about the repair. Especially if you happen to be involved in another accident even if they are at fault. and if you use different parts like heavier springs or such it now becomes manufacturing and then you become liable due to the change and you put them on. The reason for letting them do it. As for the tires might or might not have a belt broken. You might just keep the tires and use them on a wagon and put new ones on the truck. The axle would make a good trailer for the farm if it turns out to be bent also.

Jeff NWOH · Feb 12, 2017

Yep. It was towed home. I have only moved it to get it off the road where it was hit and to dump the load that was in it.

Jeff NWOH · Feb 12, 2017

I agree. A tape or string would only indicate a major problem. I will definately have the axle and alignment checked by a good shop.

Truck is a 94 and in very good shape for the year. Probably one of the cleanest you'd find around here in the salt belt. Even the appraiser mention how nice it was a couple of times.

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