Alignment issues at 12k miles

[BCRanger]

Just returned from a loooong road trip and my buddy looks at my front tires and says, looks like you got an aligment issue. Sure enough, I'm a good deal worse wear on the inside (photo makes it look a bit worse than it is).

I put brand new Cooper ATS 4S on when I got the truck. Anyone else have alignment issues this early on?

Only thing I can think is that the Coopers are 265/65 R18s -- which are the largest diameter tires Ford dealer would put on, they add about an 1" diameter. Perhaps that is enough to throw things off? (The 4S are hybrid tires that do excellent in winter so probably a bit softer compound, which is an ok tradeoff for me.) Other thing is that I've been carrying a decent size load in back. Rears are wearing just fine.

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[halligan1201]

No suspension changes?

 

[doug910]

I've had similar issues too. I have 265/60R17 Falkens, which is same OD as yours, and I also had feathering issues on the inside of the tires on both left and right. Here's a quick timeline on my tires and alignments:

• 15k miles: Received Falkens, installed with alignment
• 25k miles: Rotated tires, got another alignment as precaution but no feathering issues present
• 32k miles: Noticed front tires feathering and got an alignment. Compared before and after, the alignment was definitely off, but it could have been the shop that messed up. But I found it odd that they had to max out alignment bolt on the LHS side control arm to be able to get it in to spec. No issues noted since.

 

[BCRanger]

No suspension changes?

Nope, none at all. Totally stock except for tires. I'm wondering if the alignment at least should be covered under warranty.

 

[BCRanger]

I guess it kind of makes sense that upping diameter might cause more negative camber. So probably not Ford's fault.

 

[Azriq]

As far as getting Ford to help, alignments and tire balance are only covered 12 months/12,000 miles from original sale date/mileage.

 

[FX4Offroad]

I guess it kind of makes sense that upping diameter might cause more negative camber. So probably not Ford's fault.

When the tires were installed, wasn't it aligned at that time?

 

[BCRanger]

When the tires were installed, wasn't it aligned at that time?

I guess not, since the Truck was literally brand new at the time.

 

[FX4Offroad]

I guess not, since the Truck was literally brand new at the time.

I was always told...new shoes, alignment.

 

[Frenchy]

Bigger tires by them selves wont necessarily cause an alignment issue. Noe if you had different wheels then maybe. Something to also consider is the fact that your front suspension may have settled and may start to have toe out. That can also cause a camber wear look on the tire. My suggestion, go to the dealer and have them check the alignment with you and your "Normal" day load(wat is or isnt in the truck regularly).

 

[Cabose-1]

I have the same issue. Inside tire on the front. I have 20k right now and have to rotate every 7k. Bone stock. Do not even have a damper on. Curious if anyone else has this problem or if it is something that is just a characteristics of the Ranger

 

[Frenchy]

I have the same issue. Inside tire on the front. I have 20k right now and have to rotate every 7k. Bone stock. Do not even have a damper on. Curious if anyone else has this problem or if it is something that is just a characteristics of the Ranger

For you it is the fact of not having a damper installed causing your problem!! LOL

What it could very well be is the front springs settleing in finally and causing that

 

[BCRanger]

What it could very well be is the front springs settleing in finally and causing that

That makes more sense ... the settling part, I can safely exclude the damper theory because I don't even have a tailgate.

 

[Gary]

I have the same issue. Inside tire on the front. I have 20k right now and have to rotate every 7k. Bone stock. Do not even have a damper on. Curious if anyone else has this problem or if it is something that is just a characteristics of the Ranger

I am on my 3rd alignment for this. 255/65/R17. Left front is the one I have this problem with.

 

[EJH]

I don't have issues with my Ranger. At 24k miles and almost 2 years old, my tire wear is consistent. The rears do wear slightly quicker than the front. I expect that with RWD and about 4k of my miles from towing a heavy trailer.

However, all three of my recent Subarus (2x 2016, 1x 2021) had similar alignment issues when semi-new. 2 of 3 Subarus had poor alignment from the factory. All of them sucked at holding an alignment for the first 2-3 years. (at one point I was able to get a service advisor to agree and confirm they are poor at holding alignments). I think components stretched and settled out over the first few years. The 2016 Subaru I still have started to hold an alignment from about 3 years old onward just fine. It has not been aligned in ~4 years and is still mostly spot on.

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