Odd tire wear and wheel bearings.

[JoeMahma]

Tonight I noticed that my front drivers side tire tread is cupped on the inside. By cupped I mean every tread block is raised or curled up in the air but just on the inside row of blocks. I know I have a wheel bearing going bad as I have the constant drone coming from the front that goes away when I make a right hand turn and returns when going straight or making a left but I just haven't gotten around to replacing it yet. I was kinda hoping I could make it through winter before I had to do this. Could the wheel bearing be wearing my tire like this? And would it be the drivers side front bearing that is bad?

If you go to this page and scroll down to "my tire wear" this is exactly how mine is wearing. http://www.lasercannon.com/Newz/feathering.htm

 

[MountaineerGreen]

When was your last alignment? Sounds to me like a lower ball joint problem, but can't be sure without a picture of what is going on.

 

[JoeMahma]

When was your last alignment? Sounds to me like a lower ball joint problem, but can't be sure without a picture of what is going on.

Had upper and lower ball joints, alignment and tires installed about 7000 mi. ago. I'm a little confused now though. Researching, it seems as though if I turn to the left and get the droning noise of a bad wheel bearing it should be the passengers side bearing that is bad right? But the tire wear is on the drivers side. hmmmmmm...

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Usually, tires aren't affected too badly due to a bad bearing in my experience. The bearing units start making noise, then fail catastrophically when they go.

I suspect there is something wrong with your alignment.

You hub definitely needs to be replaced if its making noise, but its not super critical, they go slowly.

 

[JoeMahma]

Usually, tires aren't affected too badly due to a bad bearing in my experience. The bearing units start making noise, then fail catastrophically when they go.

I suspect there is something wrong with your alignment.

You hub definitely needs to be replaced if its making noise, but its not super critical, they go slowly.

Thanks for the quick replies MG. I'm gonna take it in for an alignment as soon as I can. The roads around here are terrible so it probably needs it anyway. That wheel seems to be ****ed more than the other side too so I would think an alignment is needed no matter what.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

They can diagnose bad suspension parts, will likely offer to replace them. You can do the work yourself and save some money if you are so inclined. I did write ups on replacing most every suspension part, check "my writeups" in my signature.

 

[ThePhoenix]

In my experience, its the lower ball joints that caused the cupping...just playing the odd...but sounds like the alignment wasnt done properly.