Alignment Results And Tire Cupping - Questions On Report

[Plainsman]

I have an 03 1500HD 65,000 miles. I have been running 265 Pirelli ATR scorpions on the truck. I have noticed the inside fronts cupping. The truck has never been aligned before so today I had it aligned rotated and balanced. The tires are rotated about every 6K.

 

My question is based off the initial results does it seem reasonable for the tires to be cupping. Second quesiton does this report show a decent alignment? The tech said the front right caster could not be adjusted more it was 'maxed' out.

 

Like to hear some comments.

 

Regards,

[Zembonez]

I've seen this question here a few times. Every GM truck I have ever owned was pretty hard on front tires. They all feather on the edges - especially bad if not rotated. I've come to the conclusion that it's just a part of the front suspension and steering geometry combines with a lot of weight. I've never had any wear terribly, but it is quite noticeable if you look.

 

Nothing in that alignment report looks all that far out... not enough to wear tires anyway. It looks like you were about due for an alignment, but it wasn't bad. As stuff wears and we drive on rough roads, settings do move a bit.

[twavor]

I've never had the best of luck with the tires you're running, they always seem to wear funny if you look at them wrong, but I will say that your before and after specs don't look terrible, but really you and the tech would be the ones to know for sure since you drove it before and after the alignment. Does it drive straight now?

Your camber is what was probably causing the tires to cup a little and with them leaning in just a tad, it would throw your toe out just a tad also, so your truck would be a little "knocker kneed" and wear the tires on the inside.

As long as it drives nice and straight now and your steering wheel is straight, you more than likely got a good alignment. Just keep rotating your tires like you are and it's about the best you can do.

 

Travis

[Plainsman]

I've never had the best of luck with the tires you're running, they always seem to wear funny if you look at them wrong, but I will say that your before and after specs don't look terrible, but really you and the tech would be the ones to know for sure since you drove it before and after the alignment. Does it drive straight now?

Your camber is what was probably causing the tires to cup a little and with them leaning in just a tad, it would throw your toe out just a tad also, so your truck would be a little "knocker kneed" and wear the tires on the inside.

As long as it drives nice and straight now and your steering wheel is straight, you more than likely got a good alignment. Just keep rotating your tires like you are and it's about the best you can do.

 

Travis

 

 

I never noticed it driving bad at all before - just noticed the tires cupping - and the added noise due to the cupping. I agree on the tires, I had the same on my 97 Ram and they were awesome ran 60K on them. This truck seems to be eating them much faster. Maybe due to the added weight, donno.

 

Driving home tonight I noticed the steering was just too far off center, Im going to have them recenter the wheel as Im not satisfied there.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I wanted some more experienced guys to see the results and render an opinion.

 

Robert

[rangercliff]

when front end parts start to wear,your alingment tech needs to simulate under load conditions.rear wheel drive forces front tires out,(front wheel drive pulls them in).your tech can push front tires out & watch toe readings,then compensate for normal wear.i would suspect when you drive your tires toe out combined with + camber causes feathering on outer edges.good alignment tech are a dying breed.

[scrapdaddy]

my best advice and ive been thro everything you say.....rotate rotate rotate...but with that when you rotate get the tires rebalanced and every second rotate get an alignment..... ive owned a truck from the late 60's to 2010...and the nbs trucks seem to be the worst i dont know why....also always check your tire pressure do not trust the factory tire pressure system.....different tire pressures for differnt situations....

 

this is my 2 cents worth of advice in my experiences..... every truck is different.... but my advice will keep you out of trouble and a wheel alignment is cheaper than 2-4 tires....basically make time and spend time on your truck...

 

remember you spent 30-70,000 for that thing and you spend alot of time in it...

[ar52kortlang]

That Align looks ok..... at best --

 

I would have never adjusted and left it at those numbers ---

 

Toe

 

With the GM rack in the front i like to add more toe in -- maybe like 0.20 - this will keep the wear off the front inner half of the tire and make it a it more on the outside

 

Camber

 

.1 or .2 is fine -- usually will put the left side at .1 and the right at .2 so it will level when the driver gets in

 

Caster

 

Atleast a -.3 to a -.7 split is best

 

 

On most of the HD trucks adjusting ride height with the torsion bars will usually put sagging alignments into spec--

[Plainsman]

I went and measured the ride height tonight. Its a full 1/2 lower on the drivers side than passengers. To do a good alignment wouldnt the vehicle need to be level? I measured from the first hole on the frame members to the drive not fenders.

[Zembonez]

I went and measured the ride height tonight. Its a full 1/2 lower on the drivers side than passengers. To do a good alignment wouldnt the vehicle need to be level? I measured from the first hole on the frame members to the drive not fenders.

There have been many discussions on this inhere. Every truck I have ever owned was a bit lower on one side or the other. The answer to your question is: No, the alignment would not be affected by such a small difference from side to side.

[Plainsman]

Followup. I went back to the shop they leveled the truck side to side and then the alignment could be accomplished with all of it hitting spec plus some of the custom ideas from here. The wheel is also straight now, hopfully the tire wear stops.

 

Thanks guys.

[Z45]

found this info the might be helpful

 

What Is Cupping?

# Cupping is when a vehicle's tires have indentations in them. Cupping is caused by worse than normal wear, tear and pressure on the surface of the tire that takes small pieces and sections of the tires surface off. The remaining spots are smoothed during driving so they're called "cupping" as opposed to "chipping." Cupping may be referred to by some professionals as "scalloping."

 

Driving on tires that are cupping is not a safe scenario for drivers since there is less contact between the surface of the tire and that of the road. Less contact means less traction and control for starting and stopping.

What Causes Cupping in Tires?

# The majority of cases of cupping happens in inexpensive low-quality tires. Higher quality tires are better able to resist chipping by the environment that causes cupping in cheaper tires. Consumers should have high quality tires installed on their vehicles.

Another Cause of Cupping

# Even if the tires are higher quality, and cupping still occurs, the problem might be with an errant suspension on the vehicle. If the suspension on a vehicle allows for the tires to bounce, as the vehicle rolls along, the extra action will make scuff marks on the tires, resulting in cupping.

 

Unfortunately, when the cause is the suspension, a qualified mechanic must replace the suspension and the tires. Since there's a risk of the cause being a serious repair like suspension, having a mechanic check the vehicle is often worth the expense, in spite of the time it will take.

Odd Cupping Situations

# If the tires experiencing cupping are on the rear only, the cause of the problem may just be with the vehicle's alignment. Fortunately, in such cases, purchasing new tires and an alignment adjustment is more economical than replacing suspension and tires. If in doubt as to the condition your tires, take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic.

[Plainsman]

Hello, after being stuck this winter several times I have new skins. New BFG all terrains. 265/75/16s. I have another alignment question.

 

I put on the new tires and my right hub was shot so I replaced that, then had the alignment checked. They said the toe was off so I have new results.

 

However the truck seems to wander a bit now, but it could be the new tires. According to the tech and the report the toe was fairly off. He also stated the level was close but its good now. I belive this alignment tech is very skilled. Do these number indicate I need the alignment touched up a bit? I dont want to go back to the shop and complain if its just how the new setup feels. If the numbers look good Ill let it rest and put on some more miles. I probably only have 400-500 miles on the new tires, hub, alignment.

 

Thanks

 

 

Previous Alignment

Left Right

Camber .5 1.0

Caster 3.2 3.6

Toe .34 .22

Steer Ahead .28

 

New

Left Right

Camber .4 .2

Caster 3.2 3.5

Toe .05 .04

Steer Ahead .00

[stlavsa]

Cupping comes from worn suspension parts more so than alignment. Feathering comes from toe out of spec. Its an '03? it probably needs some new front end components to completely fix it.

 

Just google "interpret tire wear" and you'll see what i mean.

[Plainsman]

There isnt any cupping yet, this is an older post I had that I added to. I installed a new set of tires and just had it aligned with the above specs. Now it seems to wander more than I noticed before.