2013 Tacoma with abnormal tire wear

I’m getting cupping on my front tires. I took it in for a wheel alignment a few days ago and they said the alignment was correct. All 4 tires have 35 lbs. of air each. The tires are Michelin’s.
Anyone else experience this problem?
Thanks
Jim

 

Can you include pictures of the tires?

How many miles do you have on your truck?

 

86000 mi.

 

Seems early, but if your shocks are worn (as well as ball joints and tie rods), it could lead to this.

Could you post pictures of tires when you get time?

 

Had Michelins on my Gen 1. In my experience they like to be aired up a little bit more than most brands. I used to run them at 42 psi in the front and 38 in the rear (assuming minimal load in the box). That was a lighter truck as well. Those numbers are for a "P" rated tire..."LT" rated would be more than that.
I'd try more air to start with.
Cheers, Jeff

 

Since alignment is good I’d think possibly front shocks/struts. What did the shop you took it to for alignment check think the problem might be. They should be experts in that sort of thing. Still awaiting a picture.

 

The shop went through everything last Friday, shocks, springs, struts, ball joints are fine. Tires are Michelin defenders XLT’s with 30,000 miles on them and they have been rotated as recommended. The left lower ball joint was bad and replaced at 56,000 mi.
Pictures posted but it’s impossible to seethe wear, but you can feel it and the tires are starting to make some noise.
Jim

 

So which one do you think you have?

 

The shop I took it to was baffled on why. Everything was fine and alignment was right on. I took it there originally to have them check out something else, when they noticed the tire wear. So that is when they looked everything over and checked the alignment.
What I took it in originally for was the left side of the truck sits about 3/4” lower than the right side. I never carry heavy loads in the truck, pull a camper some in the summer. I weigh 165 lbs. so that shouldn’t be a problem.
They couldn’t couldn’t figure that out either.
I could take it to the Toyota dealer but they may not find anything either?
Jim

 

That is what we refer to as Taco Lean. only way to fix it is to get a lean spacer, like this:

https://www.amazon.com/2005-2015-Tacoma-Plate-Spacer/dp/B06XTCYWZJ

Your springs originally counteracted this but have probably settled.

They come in different thicknesses.

 

The best I can say for tire wear is you can feel light cupping and unevenness in the tread when running you hand over the tire tread. Definitely not something that should happen if everything is operating as it should.
Jim

 

Interested to see results

Mine’s done this since new

Inside of passenger front wears quicker

 

I hope someone finds out why. My stock BFG Rugged Trails cupped at 30k miles on stock suspension. My Goodyear Duratracs cupped at 60k miles with Icon suspension. Fortunately Goodyear warrantied my cupped Duratracs but I know they're going to cup again.

 

When I bought my defenders last yr. I went on Michelin website and contacted them with what pressure to use. They ask me some details about my truck like, make, model ect. and recommend 29 for front and 31 for back. So that’s what I did. I should chalk them now and see I guess, but they seem to be ok.

 

I used to go by what it says on the door about front and rear tire pressure. The mechanic I go to said that is too low, should be 35 on all 4 tires. I just went to 40 psi and will see if that eliminates the cupping. I suppose once they start cupping there is no correcting the wear, it will probably only get worse until the tires are shot.
Jim

 

Are you able to post your recent alignment data? The acceptable range is quite wide. My '13 has Firestone Destination ATs with over 50k on them and wearing well. Front suspension is stock height with 5100's at all four corners. They are the P rated tires and I run at the pressure on the door post. Are you sure it is "cupping" and not feathering that results from the toe in/out being off? That will feel like sharp edges on the tread as you drag you fingers across the width of the tire. The sharp edge points in or out depending on if it is excessively toe in or toe out.

Edit: by the way, if the ride height is off the alignment may be out of spec.

 

Sorry, don’t have the alignment data.
Jim

 

I can see the dirt worn off every second tread lug on the outside. That is caused by wheel not balanced correctly. Worn shocks give much wider worn patches. Toe in out alignment will wear either the inside or outside not cupping like you have. Get them balanced better.

 

Swap them drivers to passengers side. Left to right. They will wear the other way. Some will say, OMG DONT DO THAT!!! I have done this for decades and never had a problem. Good luck OP.