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Statgeek · 08-03-2014, 06:07 PM

One front tire. If our Jeep Wrangler toad has significantly more wear than the other tire--so much that I had to swap it with my spare tire.

When I drive the jeep it seems perfectly aligned--I can let go of the steering wheel and it continues to travel straight. It does not "pull" to either side.

It seems to tow perfectly, but for this uneven tire wear.

Tire guy at Wal Mart says that it is "cupping" and common to towed cars. But...no offense to wal mart employees, but he wasn't a hard-core mechanic so I'm not sure of his knowledge level.

Now that I'm running the spare tire, it's a but more quiet of a sound (nice). And as I look at the tire that was "cupping" I see distinctive uneven wear on the tread.

Is this common to toads?? Thoughts??

dnystrom · 08-03-2014, 06:27 PM

I would check the balance and the front shocks if it's cupping. Uneven tread wear is alignment.

BFlinn181 · 08-03-2014, 06:31 PM

It's an alignment issue, even if you don't notice it in the behavior of the car on it's own. You didn't mention whether the cupping (scalloping) was on the outside, inside, or middle of the tread. Down the middle cupping can be bad shock, unbalanced tire, or under inflation. Inner edge cupping is often a bad alignment or other suspension issues. Proper castor is needed to make the tires track properly. Cupping could be a sign of a worn ball joint, even a bad wheel bearing. Since it's only on one side, you should get the front end carefully checked out and a proper alignment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG2mmIcQRIA

Old Scout · 08-03-2014, 06:36 PM

I have towed 2 different Silverado 1/2 ton pick-ups over the years and have had inside edge front tire wear on both. Otherwise, trucks drove fine when not being pulled and no additional tire wear was noted. Went back to towing on a long trip and the wear pattern showed up again--no explanation but lots of tire swapping to distribute the wear.....
PS have added hitch stablizers to 2 inch recievers with this latest truck and new tires--wear seems to have lessened.....too early to say for sure at this point. Two different trucks--one brand new--alignment issue--probably not......

Statgeek · 08-03-2014, 09:38 PM

Thanks everyone. My cupping is down the middle, so I'll have it checked out upon return from my current trip.

Scottybdivin · 08-03-2014, 09:55 PM

Rotate them to the drive axles. That will make them wear more evenly. Fords have always been notorious for that too. If I didn't rotate my tires they would start cupping.