Any idea what would cause cupping wear on the inside of the front tires? I had the front realigned a while back and it did not seem to help. Also, changed the shocks to Bilstiens. Will shortly buy new tires but wanted to correct this before.
Thanks Ken

Are you rotating them?

Yep, Now I'm getting cupping on the ones rotated to the front..--K

Too much negative camber with worn shocks or tires out of balance or both. Later! Frank

Won't toein cause the inners to wear?

When I was running the GM spec air pressure 55/80 I had two conditions. My front inner and outer shoulders were wearing. Rear centers were wearing. I have went to 60 all the way around and get a nice flat wear.

We need more information about your truck. Year, mileage and what parts have you replace with regards to the front end. Edit your sig to give your truck details. If you have some mileage on your truck it could be worn out idler and pitman arms. What size tires do you have. Have you cranked the torsion bars or have green keys?

Truck is an 02 Silverado 2500HD D/A with 71Kmiles. Mostly highway miles. All stock except the shocks are now Bilstiens. No problems so far except the Tire issue and a passenger side window that will not work.--Ken

Looks like you need to find another alignment shop, one that guarantee's its work.

Perhaps your right on another alignment shop. It was the dealer who aligned it the last time.--K

Jack it up and check for play in the wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints, etc. Grab the tires at 12 and 6 o'clock and push/pull really hard. Any play? Now again at 9 and 3 o'clock. Any play? If so, check all visable suspension and steering components
for wear or play. Have a friend watch all of the parts while you push/pull. If you have play but everything looks okay, it may be wheel bearings. Good luck.

Won't toein cause the inners to wear?

When I was running the GM spec air pressure 55/80 I had two conditions. My front inner and outer shoulders were wearing. Rear centers were wearing. I have went to 60 all the way around and get a nice flat wear.
toe in = wear on outside
toe out = wear on inside

wear in middle = to much tire pressure
wear on inside and outside = to little tire pressure

Yeah, I went 60/60, unless I have a load, then the rear goes up.

Jim

I went by the tire manufacturer's specs with no issues. My truck came with the Bridgestone 245s and I had driven 54K on them before I changed to the Bridgestone 285s REVOS. I stayed with Bridgestone only for the free tire rotations. If you have Firestone or Bridgestone tires on your truck, you can go to any Firestone Tire shop and get free tire rotations. I found that out after I paid for 2 tire rotations at my dealer. My dealer was too busy to get me in one day. After that, for tire rotations, never back to the dealer, always at Firestone for free service.

My dad had Goodyears on his and they kept cupping. Tires were replaced at 10K from dealer. Goodyear charged him a $10 additional tire fee for lifetime rotation. At 30K, I told him to go to Firestone and get some better tires. No problems yet. Bottomline, Goodyear makes a good jeep tire but not a good truck tire, IMO.

My REVOS are great and wouldn't consider anything else.

Bronco, too much toe in/out will scuff the tire all the way across. It will leave a feathered edge that you can feel when you run you hand across it. The truck will also wonder all over the road. Worn steering parts and wheel bearing will not cause a camber problem. Raising the front several inches will push the camber negative but the alignment should have corrected it if done right. I used to realign a lot of outfits that were done by others will poor equipment or those that weren't doing them full time. The new alignment equipment is a lot better and easier to use. They really should get it right the first time. Later! Frank

I just jacked the front and check the play. The passenger side appears to be wearing the worse. It seems to not have any play when holding at the 6 and 12 o'clock postion but it does have some play when holding at the 9 and 3 position. How much is too much? The truck tracks well on the highway. Just wearing out the tires. Passenger the worse.--Ken

Since the truck has independant steering controls on each side, the problems can be isolated and different on each side. Tire pressure will effect both sides but suspension can effect only one side.

If it is a large section of the tire, 1" or more then you probally have a camber problem. Inside would be too much negative camber outside would be too much postive camber.

If it is more of a feathering pattern then it is probally toe in or toe out.

If there is high and low spots, then it is cupping and the tires need rotated and balanced.

Sounds to me like you need a good alignment and rotate balance.

Bronco ,

Thanks, It is definetly cupping on the inside 1- 2 inch section of both tires-Mostly on the passenger side. After I relapce the two front, I will get a new alignment. Now based on what I've heard here, I'm a little worried that I may have too much play in the passenger side tie rods when moved at the 9 and 3 o'clock position. I have never had to replace tie rods on any truck I've owned. --Thanks to all-Ken