2006 4x4 front tires cupping

[Buddy67Lincoln]

I have looked and tried to research this but I get mixed answers so I came here to hopefully figure this out. I have a 2006 Sierra 1500 4x4 with the optional 20" wheels and tires. I know they are probably heavier than the 17" but my tires are wearing on the outside mostly but its from cupping. I have some 18" Denali wheels for the winter with brand new tread and they seem to be doing the same thing. The rear tires on the new treads seem to not be cupping so I think its a vehicle issue rather than out of balance tires. I want to know if a front end alignment will figure out the issue or not?

 

I jacked the truck up and put stands on the control arms and looked to see if there was any slop. I only noticed some slop when the tires are turned half way to either side. When the tires were straight there was almost no slop at all in the steering components when I wiggles the tire. I don't see any pitman arm or idler arm slop but I'm not a great mechanic so I might have missed something. I was told by the garage who inspected my truck last week that I have cupping tires (I knew that already) and that I need a new Pitman Arm and Idler Arm along with a front end alignment and I should be good. The truck did not fail inspection which it should have if either of those were bad. Its a PA inspection and there can be no play in the steering at all or the truck would fail. So do I really need this? If an alignment will find the problem; why not just get one first to make sure? Other sources say bad shocks/struts?

 

Thanks for any help

[kstruckcountry]

If the alignment hasn't been checked and they're cupping, that's where I'd start...

[j13smiley]

My 2010 seemed fine till I put on the leveling kit... Ever since I've had feathering on the outside edges of front tires... Had it aligned 3 times by 2 shops... Not sure why I keep getting this.

 

[Buddy67Lincoln]

I called Firestone for advice; they said an alignment will not tell what it wrong but they pre-inspect before alignments to see if anything is wrong. They only align front ends when everything checks out fine. That sounds good to me but I need to find out what is causing the cupping. If alignment can correct this; I'd be a happy guy. If I get an alignment and this does not fix it; I have to spend more money then replace whats wrong, then pay for another alignment. I'm just trying to avoid paying twice since I can't find out what's wrong and it passed inspection...

[Prokopchuk_9]

Could be shocks too,,,

[Buddy67Lincoln]

Could be shocks too,,,

Is there a way to check to see if the shocks are bad before tearing them off? Any signs or quick tests? Thank you

[Prokopchuk_9]

Well..any signs of blowout on them?? Like oil leaking out? If you push on the bumper hard does it bounce or settle quickly? Does it bounce on the road or ride rough??

 

They don't take all that much effort to remove anyways

[Buddy67Lincoln]

Well..any signs of blowout on them?? Like oil leaking out? If you push on the bumper hard does it bounce or settle quickly? Does it bounce on the road or ride rough??

 

They don't take all that much effort to remove anyways

No issues when driving. It seems to run like the day it was new to me. No excessive bounce and not much lean on turns at higher speeds...No leaking either. I will take it into Firestone and have them look; said it was free unless there is a problem and needs parts and an alignment. If we find nothing I will probably just get it aligned and check shocks after.

[Prokopchuk_9]

More than likely front end issue. Alignment maybe, shocks is just possibility.

[Jennabear]

Whenever I swap wheels/tires, I always take it in for an alignment. Weight/height/offset all are contributing factors to a different wear on components.

[scooby5121]

I bring my truck to a truck shop for alignment. They also show me on the machine exactly how the front end sits. I also sit in the truck to see how much offset with me in the drivers seat. They can chamfer the front if you are a tow truck too, to save time and doubt a truck shop that lets you watch and answer questions is the best for your piece of mind. They also will tell you exactly the part if any that needs to be replaced or adjusted perfectly within 1/16 " of an inch.

 

Shocks typically if you bounce on the vehicle = if more than 3 bounces after you let go (shocks gone)

= 3 bounces after or less shocks are perfect.

Scooby

[tyhuck]

How many miles on those shocks? If its over 50K, new ones wont hurt. I had the same problem on a set, and an alignment didn't fix it. I put some new shocks on it and everything evened out pretty quickly. Ride quality didn't seem bad on the old shocks, but after taking them off and checking their rebound by hand it was painfully evident they were gone.

[Gurrzt]

Is there a way to check to see if the shocks are bad before tearing them off? Any signs or quick tests? Thank you

Bingo!, tire "cupping" is usually related to the wheel bouncing (or skipping) on the pavement, which is an indicator of faulty shock absorbers.

[Buddy67Lincoln]

Bingo!, tire "cupping" is usually related to the wheel bouncing (or skipping) on the pavement, which is an indicator of faulty shock absorbers.

Thats part of it! I had Firestone look at it before an alignment and I have play in the Pitman Arm, Idler Arm, and my shocks are not great, all 4 shocks are weak. All of that repaired is going to run my around a $1,000! I will replace everything and take it back to Firestone for alignment. Thanks for all the help and advice. The truck has 78,000 miles on it so it was past due for shocks from what I've read. Thanks again.

[tyhuck]

Whatever you do, don't get the heavy duty shocks unless you have a heavy bumper replacement on it. I bought some to use under my 05 which had a 150 lb bumper on it, then bought another truck and decided to put the new shocks on it. Bad idea. Its rough as all get out.