I have noticed a dramatic increase in front tire noise on my '01 4x2 Screw over the last couple of months. The dealer here claims that the "front tires are cupped because they were not rotated". One small problem, cupped tires are not caused by not being rotated! The dealer refused to help (His words were "there is nothing I can do"). The only thing that he did do was look at the tires (just a quick visual). I only have 13,000 miles on the truck and don't think I should have to be replacing the tires with such low mileage (tires are General Grabbers AW). Any suggestions???

 

Why is ford putting those tires on their trucks?! That's what mine came with, too. Putting those terrible looking tires on an F-150 looks like putting a pair of "Zips" on Michael Jordan's feet!

 

too much or too little air pressure. My advice is to check them after you take deliver from the dealer.

 

No expert on this, but doesn't any unusual tire wear on the front mean the alignment is out? Could be bad shocks too. You didn't say if this was checked or not.

The only thing that should happen to front tires, if you don't rotate them, is the outer edges will "feather" or just plain wear out faster (assuming good alignment/shocks). Cupping, IMO, is either bad alignment/shocks.

13,000 miles not a lot of miles for either of those to go out, but your tires are showing the signs of one or the other.

 

The tires should have been rotated, but the dealer sounds like an A-wipe. It's their job to help solve problems. A good dealer would do a suspension check including alignment, shock test, & rotate and balance. I'd ask for the Service Manager and tell him that you expect better service. If he can't provide that, ask for his boss or the Zone Rep to get his attention.

 

I had the exact same problem with two sets of Firestones !!!!

Dealer said it was a tire problem.
Firestone said it was alignment / suspension.

Do you carry alot of weight in the bed of the truck ???

I put leaf springs on and changed tires to Goodrich and have been running great for about 100,000 kms. (60,000 m)

Just checked the tires out the other day and they still look great !

Remember, a dealer will try and tell you anything if it means not costing them the money !!!!!

 

Check your tire pressures. Cupping happens more easily at low pressures because as the flat part of the tread leaves the road surface it must accelerate violently to become a part of the round section of tread again, this literally rips pieces of rubber off the tread. Try 37-40psi instead of 32-35. Rotate them to the back and back tires to the front.

Have the alignment checked (camber, caster, everything!) and look for worn suspension parts, ball joints, hubs, etc.

 

I had the same problem. At 19,000 miles my front tires sound so loud it drew attention from other driver. The dealer said it was the alignment and the tires were ruined. He wanted an alignment ($58) and 2 new tires ($198 each). I was told the alignment is not covered on the bumper to bumper warranty. The alignment is only covered for 12K/12 months.

I opted for the alignment and moved the cupped tires to the rear. The front sounded nice but the rear sounded horrible. I found a side road and damp pavement and burned them round again. It was a bit of fun and the tires were ruined anyway. I will limp them through the summer and fall and put a set of BFG or Pro Comps on this winter.

Like most owners, I feel the alignment should be covered by the warranty 36K/36 months. Years ago it was.

1999 F150 XLT ORP
5.4L
Gibson Super Truck
3.55 Limited slip
Supercab Styleside
265/70/17 tires

 

Cupping is caused by worn suspension part(s). Most often is the shocks.

 

Beware,

Cupping is not just from suspension parts/ alignment problems !!!

Like I said above.... I carry quite a load in my truck on almost a daily basis.

I was having a big Cupping problem with a couple different sets of tires.

Ford blamed Firestone and ...
Firestone blamed Ford.

What it all came down to was adding leaf springs and improving tires.

The ones my truck came with were Firestones and they were crap (for me anyway).

Changed to Goodrich and have been running for about 100,000 kms and they are still in great condition.

Later
Brian