Hi guys,

I've seen a couple of threads addressing front tire cupping on later models, but does anybody a diagnosis for the cause of (or experience with) cupping on the front tires of a 2009 Wrangler Unlimited? The front shocks seem fine. Ball joints? Wheel bearings? Something else on the 2009? Also, the rock rails on both sides are rusting out. Has anyone had any luck getting a dealer to fix either problem after the expiration of the standard warranty?

Thanks for any info you can provide!!!

 

Front tire cupping indicates an alignment issue. How often have you rotated the tires? Have you rotated the tires? As for the corrosion issue on the rails. Your profile indicates that you live in Boston, MA. I used to live in Maine and drove to MA frequently in the winter. Both States are/were notorious for salting their roads in the winter, in addition, if you are near the coast you live in a salt-air environment; bad for exposed metal. Corrosion of parts subject to scraping and exposed to such an environment is not a warranty issue. Keep them clean, and keep the bare metal covered. Frequent re-applications of spray-on wrinkle finish will do but having them coated with a bed-liner type material might provide a longer, "like new" appearance.

 

I say sand them down or grind them down to its bare metal and treat the rust with something a bed line the rails

 

For tire cupping, check your shock absorbers. It's also important that you rotate tires regularly, especially so if you have a blocky tread pattern.