Cupping/Tire wear

[captaincorolla]

For my 2000 Corolla
My tires wear unevenly, the front more than the rear. The outside edges wear more than
anything else, and the insides slightly.

What should I do to fix the problem? I had a 4 wheel alignment done about 2 months ago, but I am not sure if I had this problem before or after the alignment. The alignment was not done by Toyota, however I trust the shop that did the work.

I have been told the alignment is only part of the story in this case. I have also been informed that if my tie rods or ball-joints are off that I would also have this problem.

Toyota insists I should get an alignment from them and then they will also inspect the ball-joints and tie rods.

My car had moderate front end damage about two years ago. It wasn't enough to damage anything under the car or structurally, just asthetically (bumper, hood, panels etc).

PLEASE advise.... Toyota's alignment is about $100, plus $85 to check tie-rods/ball joints. Toyota states the tie-rod/ball joint inspection isn't useful if they can't also check the alignment. They seem overly convinced that their alignment will fix everything. I know a lot of folks HATE toyota, but the fact is, while their prices may suck, I trust the work they do.

[Eye8Pussies]

Originally Posted by captaincorolla

My tires wear unevenly, the front more than the rear. The outside edges wear more than
anything else, and the insides slightly.

for the uneven inside/outside wear, it sounds like underinflation

and of the front/back, not sure, but if when you say more wear, you mean by the kind of wear described above, seems like the fronts are underinflated, and the rears could be over inflated

[RaceComp]

If the front end damage was enough to destroy body panels it was most certainly enough to ruin suspension items. Even a slight bend in a control arm or tie rod would be enough to through things out of adjustment and even though your alignment might be to spec a damaged suspension part may cause the alignment to go back out of spec more rapidly.

Basically, if your tires are wearing oneven, it's either a matter of tire inflation (enough, too much, too little pressure) or it's alignment/suspension related. Nothing else (short of doing burnouts) would cause eratic tire wear.

[paulandshoei]

Once your tires begin to wear unevenly, they will continue to do so even if you have an alignment done. If you got the alignment done when you got your new tires (if you got new tires) they did a bad job and you should take your car back to have it corrected. Any good technician would check all your steering and suspension components before completing the alignment - including ball joints and tie rods - thats called "upselling" and they make more money that way.