Why are my front tires cupping/scalloping?

Try to get to it about every 3months

 

Did you have the same issue? And changing out your ball joints fixed it?

 

Worn ball joints or tie rod ends are suspect

 

I have all my years of driving (43) used the 4wd/Awd pattern on the left for all my vehicles every 5000 miles and never experience cupping or uneven wear.

 

Holy 4 year old post resurection! 2 things. 1 post a picture of your alignment print out. 2 post a picture of your tires. Not much else will help you here aside from people making blind guesses.

 

I would add, describe your tire wear in detail or post pics.
I notice people tend to conflate; "scalloping", "cupping", "feathering", "heel-toe wear", etc.

 

Okay man later on today I'll take some pics and on here thanks guys appreciate the help already!

 

This is a troubleshooting approach I’ve never heard of. Does the thong need to be new or used for best results?

 

I took a look at my ball joints and my upper ball joint does look really used up compared to the lower ball joint, lower looks nice and clean and upper is greasy with dirt it looks like.

 

Simple.

Front suspension is worn or misaligned or a combination.

Tire pressure isn't going to cure the cupping. It also is not the cause of the cupping.

Get to a suspension shop. Plan on new tires AFTER the suspension work is complete.

 

I am having the same exact issue. I installed the STMaxx with 26,000 miles on my truck and got a front-end alignment the same day. I rotate every 5k miles and have confirmed tire pressures with Cooper. The scalloping(?) is extreme and highly annoying. After installing OME springs at 35,000 miles I got another front-end alignment (so that's two now). Two weeks ago I went to the tire dealer and they confirmed rotation was good (all tires wearing evenly) and the truck is not in need of alignment. The end result was "they just do that sometimes". I'll be really lucky to get 20,0000 miles out of these tires. Suffice it to say that the replacements won't be Coopers. Thanks for posting, I'm glad it's not just me but sorry you're also having this problem.

I think it's logical that people are suggesting that you fix your alignment/suspension/etc but I had that all squared away when I bought the tires and they did the same thing as yours.

 

Not the worst tires I have seen, but they are a little chewed up and I am guessing somewhere in the 20 to 30k range. Probably 4/32 on the fronts and 5/32 on the rear. The sipes on the center tread blocks have worn past their depth and you have a little feathering on the tread blocks that indicates a little too much positive toe. That also likely caused the fonts to wear faster than the rear. I'm guessing they are probably noisy, but see nothing out of the ordinary. Alignment won't make the tires squeal. Driving does that. Some tires are more prone to squealing on certain types of pavement than others. You hear it with shoes if you ever spend time on a basketball court.

One thing an alignment won't do is fix a tires wear pattern. Once it is worn, it will continue to wear the life of the tires. Looking at those tires, I would probably put another 10K on them and start shopping for some new tread.

 

Are you trying to highlight the outer tread blocks? They have a sawtooth pattern when viewed from the side?

 

The dirtier the better

 

When you say suspension is worn, do you mean a whole new setup is needed? Shocks, control arms, ball joints and all? Or just some parts are needed to fix this issue?

 

Sucks man hoping I can find the issue quickly, I'm in Phoenix,AZ do you guys know of some good suspension shop around here?

 

I'm just scared that they will pop on a highway or something, will these still last me for at least another month or so? That way gives me time to save up for some new tires and to fix the issue

 

Good Lord NO. I'm saying that the suspension needs to be examined by a professional to determine needed repairs or parts replaced.

 

I don't see anything that would concern me safety wise. They just look like tires that are nearer to the end than the beginning. I'm sure you can easily get another 10K or more out of them before they hit the wear indicators. That is when they are legally bald. You will have no problem waiting a month. When you do get new tires, it will feel like driving a new truck.