I am new to this forum. I am a very huge fan of the Toyota 4Runner. I have a 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER SR5 4WD w/ the Sport Package it currently has 148k miles. I replaced all four tires and installed Nankang Performance X/P tires on it. The front tires are feathering/Scalloping on the outside of the tread. I have had it aligned 4 times in the last 5 months and my mechanic and I are clueless of what's causing this. Does anyone have an idea of what the problem is? :wtf:
Feathering/ Scalloping Tires
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Konkordmusk
New member
Sounds like you need a new mechanic, as well as some new tie rod ends and maybe shocks.
Scalloping is from the tires "bouncing" as your drive and probably means your shocks are toast or you put too heavy a tire on there.
It is possible to be a combo of both. Tires are meant to be a part of the suspension system, the rubber bends and moves. Sometimes people in the 4wd world shove the highest rated load range tire they can get thinking they are putting tank armor on when instead they just put a way too tough tire on there. The weight of the car isn't enough for the tire, so you get no flex... thus the tire can bounce a little instead of settle in.
It is one of the two. WHat is your tires load range?
It is possible to be a combo of both. Tires are meant to be a part of the suspension system, the rubber bends and moves. Sometimes people in the 4wd world shove the highest rated load range tire they can get thinking they are putting tank armor on when instead they just put a way too tough tire on there. The weight of the car isn't enough for the tire, so you get no flex... thus the tire can bounce a little instead of settle in.
It is one of the two. WHat is your tires load range?
Thank you for the reply's I replaced the following in the front suspension in the last 6 months. this was before replacing the tires
-New Front Shocks (Bilsteins)
-New Lower Control Arms
-Stabilizer Bar Links & Bushings
-Rack and Pinion (due to a major leak)
-Inner Tie Rod (1)
then I installed the nankangs a month ago and it started doing this
-New Front Shocks (Bilsteins)
-New Lower Control Arms
-Stabilizer Bar Links & Bushings
-Rack and Pinion (due to a major leak)
-Inner Tie Rod (1)
then I installed the nankangs a month ago and it started doing this
the great him
Elite Member
what lower control arms did you use? and what kind of rack did you use you only replaced one innder tie rod but you replaced the rack...? how about some outer tie rods of lower ball joints, i bet you they have never been replaced..
another thing, low quality tires can wear bad just in themselves...
I bought the lower control arms off of rockauto, they were dormans, my mistake it was an outer tie rod on the right side. The rack was from a auto parts store (Steinway) it wasn't so cheap either 437.00. The lower ball joints were done at a Toyota dealership during the recall at 55,663 miles. I think you maybe right its the low quality on the tires. Im thinking of replacing them with Bridgestone Duelers 689 what do you guys think?
the great him
Elite Member
well i have first hand seen low quality bushings not hold up, and they would lead to bad tire wear if not replaced with good quality ones, rock auto is a so so place for auto parts, not the worse, not the best but most people here seam to have good luck with them, so probably not the issue. although it would not be the first time they have sold a sub-standard part for full price.
bridgestone tires are good tires, good name brand so at least you have a good company backing their product.
id replace the other outter tie rod personally just so you know stuff is all in good working order. as well as another set of LBJs, they are a wear item, they have a expected or recommended life of roughly 100k mi, so you are into that window of recommended replacements... look around at LBJ failures... i personally replace mine about every year now just to be on the safe side(i also have a lift, and heavier truck than most)
bridgestone tires are good tires, good name brand so at least you have a good company backing their product.
id replace the other outter tie rod personally just so you know stuff is all in good working order. as well as another set of LBJs, they are a wear item, they have a expected or recommended life of roughly 100k mi, so you are into that window of recommended replacements... look around at LBJ failures... i personally replace mine about every year now just to be on the safe side(i also have a lift, and heavier truck than most)
Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. I know the best replacement for the outer tie rods and LBJs is Toyota Genuine Parts. Do you guys know of any Toyota parts website that is good with prices and reliable?
the great him
Elite Member
im not sure on the best place to source OE parts... as my father inlaw works for a dealer, and i have a good discount on price of parts at my local dealer as well... so i hardly every outsource
afg10000
New member
Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping
I was going to suggest LBJ failure symptoms until after reading this thread, until TheKid already did. My buddy's '98 Taco (3"lift 31" 15' BFG AT's) had feathering and uneven tire wear. Ball joint was the culprit. I just replaced my entire steering system on my wife's '01 Runner (Not due to LBJ failure) and ordered my OEM LBJ's and outer tie-rods from camelback. Cheaper than other suppliers and correct stuff. Make sure you have your VIN and make sure you order the extras. Toyota does supply castle nuts and cotter pins. They DO NOT ship the 8 bolts with the LBJ's nor do they ship the jamb nut adjusters with the outer tie-rods. The gear is good, just be specific.
Oh ok I will be replacing both the LBJ's and the outer left tie rod with Toyota parts. I have another problem my VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights are on. I recently replaced the charcoal canister with a new Toyota one. I took it in to the shop and the code that pops up is zero point calibration. It was reset, as soon as the vehicle was moved they turned on again and stayed on. What is causing this?
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OK I ordered the lower ball joints, stabilizer bar links, and the outer tie rods. How many castle nuts are needed for each tie rod? You said 8 but is it 4 on one side and 4 on the other or is it 8 each lbj?
afg10000
New member
The OTR's will come with castle nuts and cotter pins (1 castle nut per ea tie rod). The LBJ's will come with castle nuts and cotter pins. You'll need to order 8 bolts for the LBJ's (4 per side). It's not absolutely necessary to get new ones. Tie rod jamb adjustment nut (1 per side). Again, not necessary just up to you. It helps to have your VIN handy.
Mr.4runner
New member
One thing that might help also is staying on top your rotations. I had a similar issue when I was doing more local driving. Everything checked out. Rotating them every 3000-5000 miles and haven't had that issue again.
After I had them rotated 2 weeks ago I haven't had any scalloping. Although I have this roar when I get to speeds higher then 30mph and a vibration that stops for a few days and then comes back. I haven't had the lbjs installed because they are still being shipped to my house, they should be here by this coming Tuesday. Could the noise be a bad wheel bearing?:help:
the great him
Elite Member
tell us about the roads and road conditions you typically drive on ie hwys city streets, gravel roads, are there pot holes, or speed bumps or curbs. do you use the truck just for commuting or do you work out of it ect. ?
