Jump to content

2006 4x4 front tires cupping

Buddy67Lincoln

By Buddy67Lincoln
in Tires, Wheels & TPMS

Recommended Posts

Buddy67Lincoln Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

Posted
Posted

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

j13smiley Enthusiast

j13smiley

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

Prokopchuk_9

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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.

Jennabear Senior Enthusiast

Jennabear

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

scooby5121

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

tyhuck

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Gurrzt

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

tyhuck

Posted
Posted

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.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • KARNUT
      Missing thrust bearing? And oil selection

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I find it amusing the OP doesn’t realize this threads heading includes several engines. He should have posted in the off topic section if he wanted a more narrow focus. I really appreciate and find amusing that he actually pointed out one of my many vehicles. The Odyssey. That happens to use 0-20 oil. I love pushing his buttons. 
    • Black02Silverado
      Missing thrust bearing? And oil selection

      By Black02Silverado · Posted

      Maybe, but it seems he is the only one that has backed up data to prove what he is stating. I think he is doing this more because he enjoys it and wants to get the information out to us. He's got the knowledge and access to the proper equipment and having the funds doesn't hurt.  I would love to do what he is doing and would do it if and when I hit the Powerball.  I'm not a Tribologist by any means but love to learn what I can.   I would bet there would be doubting people out there if a completely independent lab with high quality work and highly respected in the automotive industry, put out information like this.  The world can't be pleased, one just has to take the information that they are given, do more of their own research to find actual lab data to back up what they are trying to figure/find out.  Most don't bother, they just want to believe what they first see.     I don't have the minimax but my 6.2 in my 2019 Silverado with 64k miles shows excellent UOA results with 0w-20 and for my own purposes 5w-20.  Since not much of a change using 5w. I liked the data sheet information on the SS 5w-20 and figured I would give it a try.  Still the same viscosity at 100℃.   In the end we all just do what makes us happy, life is too short to get upset over trivial social media.   On a side note, I do feel GM has dropped the ball and just cares about the bottom dollar and not quality anymore.  "Like a Rock" has been long gone.  Seems "Built Ford Tough" has as well.
    • Tyler Gibbs
      Thoughts on these wheels?

      By Tyler Gibbs · Posted

      Better than stock but that's like putting lipstick on a pig
    • flattop
      2026 sierra bad brake controller

      By flattop · Posted

      Hello, my 3 month old Sierra Elevation wont recognize a trailer with electric brakes? All the lights work correctly, but no power to the brakes?   This is the factory installed brake controller. If you manually push the knob, the display shows the power % but does not light up like my 2022 silverado.   I have an appointment with the dealer, but was checking to see if anyone else has seen this issue.    Thanks, 
    • Black02Silverado
      Post your latest oil change.

      By Black02Silverado · Posted

      Been using SS 0w-20 from new, but wanted to change to the 5w-20 because I liked the data on the data sheet, to me it seems like a little better product. But as you can see, not much difference. This is also with running a mix of 10 gallons E85 to a tank topped with 93. It isn't a flex fuel vehicle so any higher I get a CEL for running lean on both banks. Yes my mileage takes a hit. Instead of 20 mpg I normally get on trips I get 17mpg. This is also using EaO17 filter.  What is amazing is I have the AMSOIL cone filter on it since I have the GM Performance intake installed and that air filter has 44k miles on it.  I just take it out and shop vac it off once a year.  I use the upholstery tool on my shop vac.  Works well.   

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...