My old OEM Conti's exhibited an odd wear pattern on the feft front only. They were cupping evenly across the tread at a slight angle. The cupping repeated approximately every 5" all around the tire. I had the alignment and balance checked and all was well. Figured it was a bad tire. (tread separation, etc.)

At 35000 I replaced the Contis with some F1 all seasons and after 5000 that same wear pattern is now showing up on the left front again. So it isn't the tire, so what could it be? Alignment checked today is OK, tire pressure and balance both OK, and the wheel is not bent per the alignment shop.

I feel no odd feedback in the steering wheel nor did I ever with the contis, so I am stumped. I am at work, so I can't post a pic, but will when I get home.

Any ideas?

 

I recently got an alignment done and tried Goodyear auto care first. They said the rear camber was off and I knew that since I have a lowered car. They told me the front was fine. I was cupping all four tires so I didn't like the anser I got. I then installed a camber kit front and rear and took it to better shop that works mostly on road race cars. They found a loose wheel bearing on the right front and toe was out all the way around. They corrected everything and the car drives great and is not showing any wierd tire wear.

I would suggest you take it to another shop that will check the front bearings and all the ball jounts before checking the alignment.

 

My 2004 Xfire is showing this wear pattern on the fronts only at 90k miles... did you find a solution to this problem?
Thanks
dd

 

Great advice!

 

Please check the shocks as cupping is often due to bounce, rebound etc. Woody

Shock the suspension and see how it bounces back. Sit hard on fender and jump up to see if it goes up and then down.....should not . Woody