I'm on my second set of tires that are wearing like the below on the front of my 97 4runner... The tread blocks are "feathered" where the leading edge of the tread block is higher then the rear of the same tread block - also the inside edge if each tread block is higher than the outside - on each block... I replaced the front shocks and a driver side tie rod - then got 2 new front tires - but still after about 3 months the tires are wearing like this again! Any ideas?

 

I've seen many tires wear like that. Have you checked the alignment? Caster, camber, and toe

 

Alignment, possible improperly balanced tires. What pressure are you running in them and what is the max pressure?

Looks to me like toe issues, possibly shocks arent doing the job as well. Id say you have multiple problems. How are the balljoints, tierods, steering linkages and a-arm and shock bushings? Are you rotating every 3000-5000 miles?

 

I think that is what they refer to as "Cupping" , usually an alighment issue. Might have a front end shop to see if any other parts or worn or it may be just an alighmnment needed.

 

Are you rotating your tires like you should??

I have never had any 4x4 that did not have a front tire wear problem. Now are your back tires wearing the same??

You can be running to the alignment shop once a week just with the rough roads it is hard to keep the front end aligned dropping off rocks even more so.

 

I have found that read design can play a factor also. I had KM2s and they feathered. Everything on my solid axle front is tight and aligned perfectly. I let them go over on the rotation interval and that was it. There was no getting them evened out. They started getting louder and harder to balance. Even with frequent rotations afterwards. So I got Toyos...

 

I believe it's called tread feathering/scalloping.

http://tires.about.com/od/Tire_Safet...d-Remedies.htm

http://freeasestudyguides.com/tire-wear-patterns.html

Hope this helps.

 

I had that problem with my ifs truck, but never on the 81. Rotating tires often fixed it, I'd rotate them every 5k miles.