I have a set of Cooper AT3s on 17" rims. The tires do well on wet pavement and snow, but started cupping at 37,000 miles. I have about 5/32" of tread left. Anyone experience this with their Coopers? I've run several Michelins and a set of Bridgestones before this, but never had this problem and got better tread life as well. Could it be something wrong with the truck ( struts, etc.)? Trying to decide whether to put another set of Coopers on or try something else.
Cupping on Cooper AT3s
- Thread starter KDNike1
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ARunner
New member
Worn shock absorbers, suspension bushings, and/or unbalanced tires are the main culprits of cupping. However, hopefully you an get some feedback from other Cooper users. I had some highway terrain Coopers on mine with around 30k on them before I discarded them. I did so not because they were worn out or cupped however. I was simply upgrading. I was on stock suspension at that point with around 135k miles.
oljedi11950
New member
Have over 45k on mine no probs & you can see my mods which were done after tires so agree with above ^^ .
Ruffian
New member
When was the last time you had an alignment? If you do decide to move away from the Coopers, I love my Duratracs and as long as I live & work in the Tahoe Basin I will be using them. The first snow is always the most difficult to navigate for everyone. The only issue I've had with the Duratracs is hard turning in the slop which is taken care of by slowing down but even then I can still feel the rig slipping a bit. This winter so far I've been in a bunch of stupid tourists who can't drive in snow, aka Tourons, who have tested my driving offense abilities and the tires have not let me down. I have a 2nd set of rims that I'd like to put my summer tires on later this year.
having fun
New member
I know on big rigs, shocks are a big corporate for cupping, especially the rear tires and more so on the inside.
Would say more than likely the same for you since you have older shock/struts.
I to have coopers but m/ts but all suspension components have been changed. No problems, even wear.
Would say more than likely the same for you since you have older shock/struts.
I to have coopers but m/ts but all suspension components have been changed. No problems, even wear.
A few months ago I wanted to put on a new set of tires and I had decided on the Cooper AT3's.
The shop I went to, a Cooper dealer down the road and a place that's always treated me fairly, suggested I stay away from the Coopers because they were prone to cupping. I was a little surprised to hear them mention anything bad about the tire, but after talking with them for awhile I went with Firestone Destination AT's.
Too bad because I really liked the Coopers, loved that they were American made and was looking forward to running them. Reading your post makes me wonder if I dodged a bullet.
I hate running cupped tires. Drives me insane the entire time and was a problem I was forever chasing in my Tacoma. Hopefully you get it sorted out for a reasonable amount of time and money.
Good luck over there.
The shop I went to, a Cooper dealer down the road and a place that's always treated me fairly, suggested I stay away from the Coopers because they were prone to cupping. I was a little surprised to hear them mention anything bad about the tire, but after talking with them for awhile I went with Firestone Destination AT's.
Too bad because I really liked the Coopers, loved that they were American made and was looking forward to running them. Reading your post makes me wonder if I dodged a bullet.
I hate running cupped tires. Drives me insane the entire time and was a problem I was forever chasing in my Tacoma. Hopefully you get it sorted out for a reasonable amount of time and money.
Good luck over there.
INW4RUNNER
New member
LCA and/or Tie Rod "play" cause of Tire Cupping?
Moved from Gen5 forum.
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?
Moved from Gen5 forum.
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?
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