My car is a 2017 Signature with about 36k miles on the clock. Seems to ride pretty well.
I replaced the rear brake pads two weeks ago (yes, worn out at 36k miles) and in the process, i rotated the tires.
As soon as i put the rear tires on the front, i started to feel a very slight, but noticeable, vibration in the steering when driving slowly on parking lots.... and also, i can hear a weird thum-thum-thum sound from the front.
I looked at the front driver side tire (it was on the rear for the last 8-9k miles) and i noticed that the INNER edge of the thread has patchy, uneven wear. The thread goes up and down in wear every couple of inches. This is what they call 'tire cupping' in the tire business.
The tire is the original Falken OEM. It still has about 40% left. With this cupping wear, it's garbage now, since it makes the ride extra noisy and the slight vibration at very low speeds is not fun. I will replace them with some Michelin Defenders very soon.
The big question is WHY did my tire get cupped on the rear? I asked a couple of tire shops, and without even seeing the car, they both said - "bad shock", "blown strut". One of the tire guys claimed that they had a 2018 Ford Escape with only 20k miles and 2 visibly blown shocks on the back.
I still find it hard to believe. My car rides well. The rear shocks are bone dry. No leaks. No bouncing. No strange noises. The car was never overloaded. ... and it has only 36k miles. Yet, the tire shows real cupping, only on this side.
Anyone had similar experience? Any ideas why this may be happening?
I may take it to Mazda dealer, but i am 90% sure they will blame it on a bad tire. Not sure if other than visual inspection, they can do much about 'testing' the rear shocks.
Thanks!
I replaced the rear brake pads two weeks ago (yes, worn out at 36k miles) and in the process, i rotated the tires.
As soon as i put the rear tires on the front, i started to feel a very slight, but noticeable, vibration in the steering when driving slowly on parking lots.... and also, i can hear a weird thum-thum-thum sound from the front.
I looked at the front driver side tire (it was on the rear for the last 8-9k miles) and i noticed that the INNER edge of the thread has patchy, uneven wear. The thread goes up and down in wear every couple of inches. This is what they call 'tire cupping' in the tire business.
The tire is the original Falken OEM. It still has about 40% left. With this cupping wear, it's garbage now, since it makes the ride extra noisy and the slight vibration at very low speeds is not fun. I will replace them with some Michelin Defenders very soon.
The big question is WHY did my tire get cupped on the rear? I asked a couple of tire shops, and without even seeing the car, they both said - "bad shock", "blown strut". One of the tire guys claimed that they had a 2018 Ford Escape with only 20k miles and 2 visibly blown shocks on the back.
I still find it hard to believe. My car rides well. The rear shocks are bone dry. No leaks. No bouncing. No strange noises. The car was never overloaded. ... and it has only 36k miles. Yet, the tire shows real cupping, only on this side.
Anyone had similar experience? Any ideas why this may be happening?
I may take it to Mazda dealer, but i am 90% sure they will blame it on a bad tire. Not sure if other than visual inspection, they can do much about 'testing' the rear shocks.
Thanks!