Tires cupping???

I have a chevy z-71 and my tires are cupping bad.
I am getting service shops telling me different things as to what is the problem.

I am looking for advice. What I can tell you is they cup more on the front and on the inside of the tires.
I do rotate the tires every oil change.
I have been told that could be the problem as well as shocks.
Any input would be nice.

Shocks....Visit a reputable front end alignment shop
to check steering components and align front end..

Rotating your tires will NOT cause tires to cup....

I'd check shocks, bushings, springs, etc. Even wheel bearings. It's been my experience that worn suspension parts cause this. Something could even be bent that isn't readily obvious.

Ball joints. Maybe shocks also. Cheap fix with loaner/rentel tools and a computer(youtube can show you how to do it). should take 3 hours and save yourself $300-$400.

Thanks. I was kind of thinking some of that.

Cupping can be caused by tire being out of balance.

7mag hunter said:

shocks....visit a reputable front end alignment shop
to check steering components and align front end..

Rotating your tires will not cause tires to cup....

Click to expand...

x2!

torsion bars also.

If they are cupping on the inside edge, I would look at loose/worn steering components and alignment. Shocks will not make the inside edge cup. They will cause wear across the whole tire. Idler arms are very common to go on the older Chevy trucks.

i have the same problem on a 2010 dodge ram, with 20,000 miles on it. from what i hear, the goodyear HP tires that came on the truck are crap. what kind of tires are you running, and how old are they??

Check shocks and wheel bearings first. Also look at the drive axle for loose components, especially if one side is worse than the other. If both tires are cupping on the inside or both on the outside you have a toe in/out problem. But no matter what..once they start they will keep going.

Cupping has a few sources.

If the shocks are worn, they cannot force the tires to the road as well as they should. Many folks don't realize that is their primary duty. When foced closed by road conditions, they have done part one of their job by absorbing the impact,and part two is to force the tires back down. If they are leaking or have a valve {internal} that has failed, the hydralic fluid cannot expand. I have also see shocks completely seized {creates a "buckboard" ride}.

If the tires are out of balance, they tend to "skip" as they rotate and each landing tears sections of rubber loose.

Inboard edge wear indicates alignment issues, whether toe-out or cambering. Most modern cars have nonadjustable caster settings and this particular alignment angle can cause cupping as well if not within prescribed parameters.

Without actually being able to inspect the vehicle, I cannot tell you why this is occurring.

Your best bet is to have it inspected by a front end specialist to find the precise cause in your case. May be one of these listed, maybe more.

But, you can check the shocks yourself. However, for the labor involved, you may as well replace them as you have to remove to properly test them.

NOTE: If your vehicle has nonadjustable caster angles, do not dispare. It will cost you a few bucks more, but easy modifications can be made by most shops. The cost factor is far less than NOT having it done. Besides, there is great joy is seeing all six front angles set in spec.

How old is the truck and how many miles?

Shocks!! Same think happens to my F250 every 40k miles

Shocks are almost always the fault. Tires bouncing on the road causes the cupping.

If you have a set of BFG Comp T/A's on your truck its just a problem they have always had with that tire. It wouldn't hurt to get a new set of shocks they don't last forever. Go to Sears and get a set of Monroe with the lifetime replacement on them. You never have to buy them again. Just check when they are on sale.

BME013 said:

I have a chevy z-71 and my tires are cupping bad.
I am getting service shops telling me different things as to what is the problem.

I am looking for advice. What I can tell you is they cup more on the front and on the inside of the tires.
I do rotate the tires every oil change.
I have been told that could be the problem as well as shocks.
Any input would be nice.

Click to expand...

Need pics!