Front Shocks

yap123 · Post by **yap123** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:06 pm

Howdy,

I have about 3,000 miles my front tires. The other edges are cupping. When I run my hand (from front to rear direction) around the other edge, they're bumpy from the treads cupping.

Does this mean I need new shocks? My alignment seems fine. I don't have any pulling left or right.

The rear shocks have already been replaced.

Thanks,

Clint

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:14 pm

sounds like an alignment issue to me.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:36 pm

I'd check for unbalanced tires, worn suspension parts or bad wheel bearings. The bouncing or vibration of the tire usually causes cupping.

yap123 · Post by **yap123** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:24 pm

My new tires have 3,000 miles and were balanced when purchased.

How do I check for bad bearing?

Will bad front bushings cause cupping?

I thought bad shocks would cause cupping?

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:36 pm

If the edges are "feathering", I would suspect an alignment issue, or related component issue. Wheel bearings are checked with the wheel off the ground, ck for any extra play. They could just be loose. Putting a stand under the lower control arm and setting the vehicle soley on the stands will allow you to check the ball joints. Leave the tire on, and check the play up and down by grabbin the tire at 12 and 6 oclock. Hands at 9 and 3 oclock will assist in checkin the steering linkages.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:58 pm

Worn shocks and springs could cause it. I just lumped everything suspension related together. Like racydave says, feathering or edge wearing is an alignment issue but cupping usually points to suspension problems.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:58 pm

bad lower a arm bushings will allow the a arm to slide while the vehicle is in motion, creating the inner edges to wear

voice of experience

yap123 · Post by **yap123** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:12 am

What's the difference between cupping and feathering?

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:31 am

Cupping is when the tread has raised spots and flat spots. Feathering is when the edge of the tire is wearing.

yap123 · Post by **yap123** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:21 am

I was incorrect with my description. My tires are not cupping. The edges are raised going in the direction from the front toward the rear of the car. If I run my hand in the direction from the rear toward the front, the edges are smooth.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:34 pm

that is feathering, usually caused by the tires being dragged instead of rolling. the alignment is off, could be caused by worn bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, cracked crossmember, sagging, etc