Copper AT3 cupping

[ocelot99]

I actually had my lift put in buy Prestige of Kingston...and IIRC I think [MENTION=104766]CatskillsRunner[/MENTION] did too....I thought they were way fair, and no issues after 40,000 miles since. For everyday stuff I use Rockland Toyota, which I'm very happy with as well, but there only a few miles from my job.

I called them up and they are very fair. Got a good quote from them, so I think that's who I'll go with.

 

[INW4RUNNER]

I guess as semi-newbie forum member I have not posted enough to be allowed start a new thread. So, resurrecting this thread because it is closest fit to my situation.

I am an original owner of a 2004 SR5 V6 with 230K miles. Stock configuration and suspension.

I have been running Cooper AT3's. Cupping pretty bad with about 40K miles on them. Been rotated regularly at 5K. Trucks handles normal and smooth on the road. Just noise from the cupped tires.

I have been planning on replacing the tires in the Spring. Brought the truck into my local Toyota dealer for a suspension inspection. They have serviced the truck since new and have always been honest with no upsell BS. The technician did a test drive, and everything felt normal to him. He then put it on the alignment machine, and everything checked ok within spec. He then racked it up and inspected the suspension. Shocks and struts were fine and no leaks. Only issues he found were the front LCA bushings have "some play" and the right outer/inner tie rod has a "very small amount of play". The technician said those issues could "possibly" causing or contributing to the tire cupping. Both he and the advisor said they did not see any compelling reason to replace the LCA's or the Tie Rods, at least from a safety standpoint. At over $2K to replace those parts, I sure do not want to do it if there is no safety issue, and it is only conjecture to what extent if any these minor issues are contributing to the tire cupping. On the other hand, I do not want to buy a new set of tires only to burn through them prematurely because of tire cupping. It is my goal is to get my 4Runner to 300K or another 5 years whichever comes first. I guess pragmatically speaking, burning through an extra set of tires, will cost a lot less than the cost of replacing those parts. If I knew for sure replacement of those parts would solve the cupping problem, or if there was a safety issue, then I would probably bite the bullet and replace the LCA's and Tie Rods.

Thoughts?

 

[CutthroatSlam]

I've talked to several shops, and they all point at the same thing, suspension. So the question is how can the suspension on a 2014 be worn to the point of cupping the tires? I had dealership look at the suspension after the winter was over just as a precaution, and they say "all is normal". So the tire shop that put the tires on said that Cooper may pro rate me on some new rubber, but that still does not determine the real issue. I guess I can always try a different dealership and really have them look the suspension over.

Possible combination of poor tire balancing and worn out shocks. If you run too long in this condition, you start wearing LCA bushings and tie rods. You’ll never clean it up unless you address all of them. $2K is dealer price for that work. You can get it done for far less elsewhere.

We run the Cooper AT3 on stock rims, 2014 SR5 with 320K miles. Always been a fight with balancing tires, regardless of the brand. Highway tire are better here than All Terrain due to smaller tread blocks. Road force balancing is a must. Once they start cupping, your shocks will wear faster. Road force balance the tires and replace the shocks with Bilstein 5100s. If it’s still a problem them start addressing the suspension items. The more you let this go, the worse it will get.

 

[INW4RUNNER]

Possible combination of poor tire balancing and worn out shocks. If you run too long in this condition, you start wearing LCA bushings and tie rods. You’ll never clean it up unless you address all of them. $2K is dealer price for that work. You can get it done for far less elsewhere.

We run the Cooper AT3 on stock rims, 2014 SR5 with 320K miles. Always been a fight with balancing tires, regardless of the brand. Highway tire are better here than All Terrain due to smaller tread blocks. Road force balancing is a must. Once they start cupping, your shocks will wear faster. Road force balance the tires and replace the shocks with Bilstein 5100s. If it’s still a problem them start addressing the suspension items. The more you let this go, the worse it will get.

Thank you for your feedback. The technician said the shocks and struts are ok. They were replaced about 30K miles ago. Stock OEM not, Billsteins. Only issues found were small play in front LCA and Tie Rods.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Thank you for your feedback. The technician said the shocks and struts are ok. They were replaced about 30K miles ago. Stock OEM not, Billsteins. Only issues found were small play in front LCA and Tie Rods.

if there is play, itll allow the tires to have play. now apply that to driving down the highway. I also have noticed cupping on my cooper at3 xlt's. i'm pretty sure i have a worn inner tie rod. so itll get inners, outers, and an alignment in a week or so.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Thank you for your feedback. The technician said the shocks and struts are ok. They were replaced about 30K miles ago. Stock OEM not, Billsteins. Only issues found were small play in front LCA and Tie Rods.

Our OEM shocks were done at 80K miles. We replaced with Bilstein 5100s which are still going at 320+K miles.

I cannot emphasize enough that all the suspension and steering components are interrelated on this issue and all need to be addressed. There is no acceptable slight play or wear on tie rods or LCA bushings. Tie rods are easy to replace and I would go with MOOG replacements. Bushings, I am on originals, but I would consider replacing with urethane bushings.

 

[INW4RUNNER]

Our OEM shocks were done at 80K miles. We replaced with Bilstein 5100s which are still going at 320+K miles.

I cannot emphasize enough that all the suspension and steering components are interrelated on this issue and all need to be addressed. There is no acceptable slight play or wear on tie rods or LCA bushings. Tie rods are easy to replace and I would go with MOOG replacements. Bushings, I am on originals, but I would consider replacing with urethane bushings.

I will definitely consider refreshing the suspension parts including Bilstein 5100s this Spring before purchasing new tires. Running winter Blizaks right now No obvious cupping on those yet after 2 seasons. Looks like I will be passing your way next month when we drive down to Gardiner and Yellowstone next month. Thanks.

 

[Grug556]

Hey all.
I have a 2014 SR5 on stock size Cooper AT3's. Dealer pointed out some cupping 4k ago while in for maintenance. Has anyone else experienced cupping with these tires, or any other for that matter? No mods, bone stock setup. Tires have 35,000 on them since I transferred them from my 2013 at 15,000k. When I asked if the cupping could be do to alignment they said no since their alignment check was within specs. He suggested it is simply due to the fact that it's a more aggressive tread. Tires have been rotated every 5k on the mark and inflation always at 34 and checked frequently.

My girlfriends brother is a mechanic and we'll be out in PA visiting him this weekend so he offered to check the alignment and suspension as well. Any thought? Much appreciated.

IVe had performance high end car tires that cupped before, with perfect pressure and perfect alignment. Some seem more prone to it than others. Enjoy the noise!!! :second:

 

[CutthroatSlam]

We make it through winter here in Stevensville on the Cooper AT3s. Our driveway is 1/5 mile long and was covered in snow most of December.