Tire Cupping - KO2s with 45,000 miles

I have a 2016 DCLB TRD OR with 265/70-17” KO2 (C-Rated) tires that have about 45,000 miles on them. Most of the tread looks like it has some life left, but the inside is cupped:


Its not that obvious in the photo, but the inside (left side in the photo) is worn down to the wear bars (and not evenly on each lug). All the tires are now cupped like that, though it seems like the front end is causing it, and me rotating the tires is why the rear wheels have it too. Les Schwab said that it was probably due to shocks being worn out, though he admitted he doesn't typically see it with a truck with only 45,000 miles on it. I am also skeptical about it being the shocks because the truck rides great. I just did about 300 miles on dirt and washboarded roads in Idaho, and the truck felt great (Honestly, that is where I love this truck the most is cruising down mountain roads). Les Schwab didn't want to put my truck on the alignment machine because they were busy.

I initially noticed the cupping about a year ago, and took it to sears (I know, bad move, but I can't make that mistake again because they are closed) and had them balance and align the truck. The technician at Sears seemed shady, because he argued me for about 10 minutes on if I needed the tires balanced, even though I had already paid for the service. Also, after the alignment he "forgot" to print out the alignment report, so I have no idea how bad the alignment was, and if they actually did anything to fix it.

The only driving concern I notice at highway speeds there is some vibration in the steering wheel. It comes and goes, and I haven't been able to really notice any patterns on when it is happening or not.

My gut feel says to go pay someone I trust to do a good alignment, put new tires on it that are well balanced, and maybe have the suspension inspected at the same time. But I wanted to hear from the Tacoma Experts first. Also, I am thinking about putting Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs (E- Rated), because I have heard good reviews of them and Discount Tire has them on sale for $165/tire plus a $80 mail in rebate. (The C-Rated ones are much more expensive, and I have had E-rated tires on my Tacomas in the past, and haven't been bothered by them) Let me know what you think.

 

Do you have wheel spacers or high offset wheels?
What rotation pattern do you use?

Even if you can identify and fix the wear problem, those tires will continue to wear like that.

 

I thought cupping was usually an indicator of bad dampers.

 

Cupping is a pressure issue, either center or both inner and outer. Individual Inner or outer wear is an adjustment issue. But 45k on something like a ko2 is what you'd expect. I'd say you got your use, wouldn't expect much more in real world driving.

 

Sounds like your tires are overinflated

 

I am overall satisfied with the miles I have got out of the KO2s, but I want to fix the issue before I put new tires on.

I do have wheels that are offset a little more than the stock, but I can’t remember how much and no spacers. I don’t think the offset is much at all (I’ll look them up after work) I rotate them front to rear, but keep them on the same side of the pickup.

@Riotfunk, the wear is only on the inside. What “adjust issue” do you think I have?

 

LOL stopped reading after

“Took it to Sears”

Like .. what the actual f*@! goes through someone’s mind... to be like... “Man, my tires look off.. Hey honey, I’m going to take our truck to the local clothing store. Yea, you know the one where Jimmy gets his favorite pair of slacks. Well they’ve got a smokin deal on tires that I just can’t pass up. Yes honey, I Thought they just sold clothes too but I guess they are a full blown auto body shop now.”


LIKE COME ON MAN.

 

@J_Anthony_ the 90s called, they want their sears slacks back.

 

Usually either toe or camber. Or both.

Yep.

Keep in mind an alignment has nothing to do with the tires; it's the hubs that are being aligned. No reason to wait until new tires go on. Getting it done now won't 'fix' the current tires, but you'll be ready for the new ones.

 

Cupping (or scalloping, if you prefer) has nothing to do with pressure or alignment like people are suggesting. It has to do with the tire bouncing as it travels and is generally caused by worn suspension components (bad shocks are the typical cause, but realistically anything connecting the wheel to the rest of the car can be the culprit) or a poorly balanced tire, but it happens more frequently with heavier tires because the greater unsprung weight tends to exaggerate even small amounts of play in the suspension.

That cupping doesn't really look too bad for 45k on LT tires on a light truck like a Tacoma, though. With the amount of wear you've got left on them, I'd say leave it as it is and just have the shop check your front end parts over when you get a fresh set. If everything's tight, it could be time for a fresh set of shocks, but I doubt it on a truck that new. Probably just a tech that put a wheel weight 1/4 inch off the mark when that tire was mounted up, or something of that nature

The Sears that I worked at had a full-service Auto center, with 10 bays, with ASE certified techs, doing everything but engine/transmission rebuilds & body work. And the training was actually much more in-depth than any of the other shops I worked at afterwards. TERRIBLE management at a corporate level, but the shop was every bit as reputable as any other automotive repair 'chain' out there

 

Most likely shocks. I had the same issue several years ago. After replacing the shocks and buying new tires no more issues. I made it to 125,000 miles though. It sounds like you've caught it pretty quickly. The heavier LT tires probably wear out shocks faster than P series tires.

Instead of randomly trying different things have someone look at the shocks like you were advised initially. I "THOUGHT" my truck was driving just fine too, but when the old shocks came off they were frozen and were near impossible to compress. It happens so gradually you don't notice it. But the difference after the new ones were installed was dramatic.

From this article

https://www.utires.com/articles/cupped-tires-reasons-repair-prevention-faq/

 

Worn shocks or misalignment given I wouldn’t trust sears with a potted plant I’m guessing the latter.

 

Generally speaking cupping is from worn shocks/suspension components because your tire is moving up and down (bouncing) as you drive. Look at your suspension first, or get someone to do it for you.
In theory e-rated tires are overkill for our trucks unless you do lots of rock crawling or travel over sharp objects. C-rated tires won't feel as stiff for daily driving. That being said I have e-rated Coopers and they feel fine. Mileage took a hit but I also went up 2" in size.

 

I’m fairly confident it’s not the suspension. I inspect the suspension every 5,000miles when I perform the service. I believe it’s alignment or just tires with 45,000 miles on them. I know typically it’s suspension related, but I don’t think so in this case.

I was hoping someone who has also experienced this might have some insight, but I forget that forums are more about harassing people about going to Sears than helping them identify problems.

I have had E rated tires on other Tacoma’s I have had, so I’m not too afraid of going E rated again, though I would prefer C rated, but not an option for the Duratrac’s I was looking at.

 

As I mentioned, on a truck with 45k I'd quicker think that a wheel weight being placed in slightly the wrong spot would be the culprit than a bad suspension component or worn shock. At this point you can't save that tire, but I'd have the shop check your suspension just in case when you swap on a new set just to be sure.

 

Chuck-E-Cheese sells alcohol and has pour spouts.

Would you call that a bar ?

 

Slightly different scale, there. But, Californians have always had a hard time with scale

But, if it makes you happy, no, it's not a bar. They only serve Beer and wine, if I remember correctly. Kind of like how Town Fair only does tires and 'toe & go' alignments, so they're not a repair shop.

 

Well played sir.