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Would you know what signs to look for that you need new tires? Regular visual inspections are the best way to know if it’s time, and there are a handful of clear signs that your 4X4 tires need to be replaced. Here are a few signs that it’s time to talk to us about replacing your tires. Cuts/Chunking Running over rough terrain is sure to take a few chunks out of your tires along the way, but if you notice more cuts or chunking than usual, there could be a problem. Choosing the right tires for the terrain will help; all-terrain or mud-terrain 4X4 tires are made to withstand off-road terrain. Damage From Spin-Outs Sometimes the only way to get out of mud, sand, or snow is to spin your tires to get some traction. Other accessories like mud flaps or fender flares can get caught and rub against tire treads during spinouts. This can also cause irreparable damage to the tread that requires total tire replacement. Damage From Brake Skidding There are times when the best and safest way to avoid an accident is to brake, and in some instances, this can be abrupt enough for your 4X4 to skid if it’s older and not equipped with ABS. This causes “bald spots” on the tire tread or even a blowout, which means your tires will need to be replaced. Rock Retention If your treads are deep and you’re a frequent offroader, your tires could retain rocks or stones in the deep all-terrain tread. Occasionally this isn’t a problem, but over time your 4X4 or Jeep could put weight on the tire and pressure on the stone, leading to tire rupture and replacement. Make sure to regularly inspect for rocks in the tread and remove them ASAP. Uneven Wear The tires on your 4X4 are designed to stay in evenly-distributed contact with the roadway. If one side of the tires is wearing more unevenly than the other, there could be an issue with your vehicle’s alignment or weight balance. Going too long without getting this checked could affect tire pressure and result in a blowout. Tips for Choosing the Right 4X4 Tires It’s worth repeating: The best way to keep your tires in top shape is by choosing the right type of tires in the first place. If you’re planning to use your 4×4 as a daily driver, you’ll need to choose a set that can handle rugged terrain and pavement with minimal wear and tear. If you’re planning to use your 4×4 primarily for pavement driving, you’ll want to look into all-terrain tires. These are the factory set on many 4x4s and other SUVs, and while they are designed for paved road use, they can also navigate well in inclement weather and some “easy” off-road trails. While all-terrain tires are great for sand and beaches, they may not offer enough traction for muddy environments. Mud tires for 4x4s have pretty heavy tread, with deeper channels that can easily dig through sludge and mud without losing traction. If you’re the type of driver that takes your vehicle mainly off-road, these might be your best choice. The tread patterns on them are also great for rocky terrains. They can protect tires from punctures and conform better to the trail’s topography. Talk to the Tire Professionals How you choose to use your 4×4 is integral to knowing which tires you need. Axleboy technicians work with clients who use their vehicles for carpooling and drivers who want to take their 4×4 camping down by the river on the weekends. Once we learn where you plan on driving, we can help you pick out tires that will give you the most control of your vehicle. When you come to us, we’ll work with you to determine what type of tires best fit your purposes. After choosing the appropriate tire options for your model, we’ll expertly mount and balance them. Contact us today to get the best tires for your ride! The post What to Know About Replacing Your 4X4 Tires appeared first on Axleboy Offroad - St Louis . View the full article

The time is upon us once again for the 6th annual 2022 James River State Park Rooftop Tent Rally sponsored by Blue Ridge Overland Gear. This family friendly event offers kids activities, hiking and biking trails, river access for kayaking and fishing, bonfires and live music! There will also be multiple classes to help you up your overland skills. Don’t miss out on your chance to compete in the separate cooking and survival competitions this year as well! For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, please visit: 2022 RTTR Info/Tickets We’ll see ya there!!! View the full article

Scott Carline takes a break while hitting the trails at SMORR (Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch) to discuss some different techniques you can use when experiencing wheel slippage, including why he personally chooses to utilize ARB Air Lockers to navigate out of these situations! View the full article

Has your 4X4 been a little noisier than usual? Have you noticed a wobble lately that wasn’t there a few months ago? Is your dashboard flashing warning lights? Don’t ignore these red flags! They may seem like minor inconveniences, but it’s your 4X4 telling you it’s time to visit us here at Axleboy. I Haven’t Had My 4X4 Inspected In a Long Time Offroading can impact your 4X4 vehicle’s chassis and suspension, and it’s not unusual for smaller parts, nuts, or bolts to fall off during offroading adventures. This generally doesn’t lead to anything more serious as long as those parts are replaced quickly. Perform regular inspections to see what may be missing, and consult a professional if you need something replaced. I’m Noticing More Drips and Leaks From My 4X4 Some drips and drops under your 4X4 vehicle are perfectly normal, but excessive leaking can lead to low fluid levels, which will, in turn, impact all of the major engine components. Check your fluid levels regularly to ensure that they’re at appropriate levels. Even after topping off, it’s time to look for a more significant problem under the hood if they are lower than you expected. My Axles Are Making Too Much Noise Any noise from your vehicle means something is amiss, but that’s especially true when your 4X4 axles are whistling. Whistling or clunking sounds mean your transfer case may need servicing; the transfer case is integral for engaging all four wheels in 4X4 mode. These noises could also be a symptom of a much bigger problem, something that a mechanic would be able to uncover. My Warning Lights Keep Illuminating If your 4X4 or Jeep was manufactured within the last two decades, it would have dashboard indicator lights that illuminate when there are some problems. It could be engine-related, something to do with the tires and alignment, or any number of errors depending on your vehicle, but you can’t ignore these lights. As soon as one comes on, call to make an appointment to have your 4×4 vehicle checked out. I Can’t Get 4X4 Mode to Engage If you’ve driven your Jeep or 4X4 vehicle for any time, you’ll sense when all four wheels aren’t getting power — even if there’s no indicator light displayed telling you this. You may experience jerking or shaking when you try to engage in 4X4 driving, and it doesn’t work. This signifies that a qualified mechanic needs to inspect your vehicle ASAP. My Jeep Is Stuck In 4X4 Mode You also have a problem on your hands if the vehicle doesn’t disengage from 4X4 mode. Theoretically, you could always drive it in 4X4 mode, but doing so when unnecessary can wear down your engine and transmission components and burn through fuel more quickly than you’d like. My 4X4 Mods Aren’t Functioning How They’re Supposed To As with the core components of your 4X4, your modifications can malfunction, break, or wear down over time. Winches can malfunction, closures on soft or hard Jeep tops can degrade, and recovery straps can break — this is part of the offroading life, but you don’t have to drive around with broken mods. Head to the mechanic that installed the mods for repair. I Just Bought My 4X4 and I Don’t Know Where to Start Our experienced team at Axleboy is always ready to welcome you and your vehicle. We value your business and want to share our passion for 4X4s with you. Also, we promise to provide you with courteous and helpful service. That’s why we provide our clients with trusted custom consulting. We know from our years in business that every client is different. How you choose to drive your vehicle is different from the next person. And, there’s nothing wrong with that! We feel that’s one reason it’s so special to own a 4X4. Ready to get your 4X4 repaired and back on the road? Contact our team today to schedule an appointment before your next offroad adventure! The post Top 4×4 Issues You’re Likely to Encounter appeared first on Axleboy Offroad - St Louis . View the full article