Is This Normal Wear?

[Jaymez]

My wife has a bone stock Explorer Sport Trac 4x4. It hasn't been lifted or modified in any way. In fact, for an 05, it only has 38,000 miles on it.

Anyway, a friend of mine pointed out a problem to me this afternoon with the tires. The inner tread blocks are wavy, as if they are cupping. He claims that the ball joints need to be replaced.

I asked another friend that I tend to turn to for mechanical advice, and he said it is normal for all four by fours. I know older four wheel drives used to have a problem keeping alignments and front tires wearing funny. I'd expect that to have been resolved by now.

I am about to take this truck on a 1600 mile road trip and I need to know if I have a problem that has to be addressed before we leave. The cupping in the tires don't result in any vibrations. It does cause a significant amount of road noise, though.

 

[wahlstrom1]

It may just need an alignment, but it should be checked for loose front end parts, tie rods/wheel bearings/ball joints etc.

For the trip I wouldn't worry, just rotate them to the back to lessen the immediate wear and to cut down on noise. Do the work when ya get back and you should be fine.

 

[shane96ranger]

I usually rotate the tires on my trucks and SUV's every 3,000 miles instead of the 5,000 miles that Big O recommends. Every truck I've owned cups on the inside, even right after an alignment. It's the nature of the beast.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Every truck I've owned cups on the inside, even right after an alignment. It's the nature of the beast.

No, it is not.

I had an 05 sport trac with a torsion crank with a proper alignment and it never showed any odd tire wear.

Get the front end checked out and get it aligned if needed.

 

[wahlstrom1]

No, it is not.

Ditto. I put 70,xxxkm on my work truck in 9 months... tires are wore squarely across the tread, no cupping or center/outer wear.

Check the front end, make sure it's solid.... align from there.

 

[F150hybred]

I gotta agree with the alignment theory... I wore out (25% remaining) a set of 33's and the guy I sold them to (to use on a hay wagon) was quite amazed at how even the wear was. There is no reason for a tire to cup other than alignment or worn suspension components.

On a side note.... WOW! 500 posts for me! Think I'm gonna go pour myself a celebratory Rum and coke.

 

[Jaymez]

Had the truck inspected today. Indeed, I do need lower BJ's.

 

[shane96ranger]

No, it is not.

I had an 05 sport trac with a torsion crank with a proper alignment and it never showed any odd tire wear.

Get the front end checked out and get it aligned if needed.

The alignment tech told me that it is impossible to get perfect alignment on "Ford's small trucks". I then took it to the manager, and finally the owner. All told me it was impossible, and they would still cup - and tried to tell me I didn't rotate often enough.

Had the truck inspected today. Indeed, I do need lower BJ's.

At least those are easy

 

[4x4junkie]

The alignment tech told me that it is impossible to get perfect alignment on "Ford's small trucks". I then took it to the manager, and finally the owner. All told me it was impossible, and they would still cup - and tried to tell me I didn't rotate often enough.

Find a new tech (or shop, if that's the case).
The Goodyear MT/Rs on my Ranger are down to about 30% tread left (~40,000 miles) and perfectly even from edge to edge.
I've typically pushed it to somewhere between 6000-8000 miles between tire rotations too, though it will vary with different brands of tires how long you can go.


This pic was at about 50% (~30,000 miles)
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/932/4001/2329500062_large.jpg

 

[F150hybred]

I would agree with Junkie on this one. I went through three alignment shops before I found one with a guy that was fussy enough where "just ok" wasn't good enough.