'95 F250 RCLB PSD ZF5 4x4 170,000-ish miles, TTB, 235/85R16 Cooper STs on generic look-alike Alcoas. The usual TTB effect on the front tires, aggravated by the fact that I did NOT rotate them when I should've. Cupping on the inboard tread blocks of BOTH front tires. Makes for a noisy crappy ride. But the tread's not bad.

Rear tires have more total tread, so I don't want to do a front/back rotation. Cross-rotating the front tires would still have the cupping on the inboard side tread blocks of each tire. So I'm thinking, to get some more miles out of the tires, I should have them dismounted and re-mounted (and balanced) the other way on the rim. This would move the cupping to the outboard side in each case, and the continued effect of the TTB would be on the other _side_ of each tire. Would it be worth it, if I could find some local tire jockey to remount/balance both for, say $20?

And no, I'm NOT in a position to swap in a solid axle. Too hard to come by here, and minimum $800-1000 just for the parts, not including all the replaceables (u-joints, tie rods, bearings, etc) you'd have to buy. We don't drive the truck enough to justify the cost (it took about five years for the tires to get to the state they're in).

 

If you don't have them money for new tires now, I say do it. I have done many "Illogical" fixes due to money constraints, but if the money is available then definitely do it right. IMO

 

Give it a Shot and see if rides good and tracks straight.

 

My question in all this is: How was it the TTB setup's fault?

My truck has 221,000 miles and it has NEVER worn the edges of my tires out.

I rotate them front to back, and have only had 1 alignment done since I've had the truck for 4 years.

Still no tread wear.

I recommend going to a GOOD alignment shop and having it gone over. Ball joints, camber alignment bushings, etc are all wear parts. All will need replaced at some point.

All can cause issues as you're describing.

 

I second sidewinder, there is something amiss in your front suspension. A properly maintained and aligned TTB suspension should wear the tires perfectly even, just as any properly designed suspenion system should.

The "usual" TTB effect you are talking about is due to a bad alignment, worn components or both.

 

If the inboard edge is feathered there's most likely a toe problem. If the inner edge is worn out (smooth) prematurely, it could be a camber problem caused by incorrect alignment or from sagging springs. A ride height measurement must be done first.

 

You may be able to get Comstock Tire or Pomps Tire to shave the front tires to remove the cupping then have them take a close look at the ball joints and general condition of the front end components.

Having a competent front end shop do the work is imperative… you can pretty much forget about the national chain outfits. Any shop that does class 8 frame repair and alignment usually does light truck work, too. Those guys deal with I-beam axles everyday.

 

^^^^^ I was wondering about shaving the cupping off. Hmmm.

So do you know any good front end shop in SC WI? We've been going to a one-man operation off Fish Hatch called Accurate Alignment. Seems to know what he's doing. I have to admit, I don't even remember when I took that truck in last for an alignment.