Tire tread cupping

[gmbwrenchn]

97 Blazer. 139k miles. I have replaced all the ball joints. {moog} Just purchased new tires. The outside of the front tires are starting to cup. I know I should take her in for a alignment. Is there anything else I should replace before I take it in,with those kind of miles, before they tell me you need this ,this ,and this, when I could have done it myself. What is the most likely thing that could be causing cupping of the front tires? Thanks much for the help.

[MT-2500]

Alignment and tires out of balance or loose parts is the main cause of tire cup.
Have the alignment place check it out.
If it needs parts they should tell you what it needs for agood aliugnment.
MT

[gmbwrenchn]

Thanks a lot for the info.

[ericn1300]

Here's a good site for diagnosing tire wear: http://www.kaltire.com/commercial/me.../tire_wear.php

[gmbwrenchn]

Thanks as well.

[gmbwrenchn]

I'm going to replace the idler arm before I take her in. I know these things are easily worn out. Is it on a taper? I can just pound her out with a 3 lb. hammer right? Or do I need to use a tapered fork? Thanks.

[16th hippy]

if you pound on it you run the risk of "shrooming" the stud and you'll need a cutting torch after that. this applies for most if not all stud fittings of this type. would just buy/rent the picklefork.

[ericn1300]

With that kind of mileage the idler arm will probably be so worn it will fall off when unbolted.