2007 RAM 1500 20" wheels - tire cupping

I am scratching my heaad about this one.

The original factory set of tires developed cupping during the first 35K miles or so. Replaced the bad tires at about 45K and now I am afraid these are going to do the same thing. In particular, there was a rhythmic "clapping" noise that seemed to come from the driver side front tire. It was there when I first noticed the cupping on the prior set of tires. Vibrations appeared as well eventually. You could feel the cupping when you ran your hand over the treads.

Now after replacing the cupped tires, I hear this same noise which certainly cannot be from cupping on a new set of tires. Not enough miles yet for them to develop the problem. Alignment was checked when tires replaced and is within specs.

Also, when I go very slow, every rotation there is a "rough spot" feel that occurs. Clearly this is associated with the clapping noise I hear.

My questions:

1) Has anyone else had this trouble?

2) Anyone know any cause for cupping associated with the suspension or other mechanical aspects of the steering, etc.?

Thanks.

Cupping
Cups or scalloped dips appearing around the edge of the tread on one side or the other, almost always indicate worn (sometimes bent) suspension parts. Adjustment of wheel alignment alone will seldom cure the problem. Any worn component that connects the wheel to the car (ball joint, wheel bearing, shock absorber, springs, bushings, etc.) can cause this condition. Worn components should be replaced with new ones. The worn tire should be balanced and possibly moved to a different location on the car. Occasionally, wheels that are out of balance will wear like this, but wheel imbalance usually shows up as bald spots between the outside edges and center of the tread.

http://www.procarcare.com/includes/content/resourcecenter/encyclopedia/ch25/25readtirewear.html

If you take it in for an alignment they will tell you if there is damage preventing them for aligning the vehicle, then you can get it fixed.

Thanks for your response. Makes sense. Apparently alignment was possible without detecting any bad suspension parts. Nevertheless, this is the best theory I've come across yet. I'll check it out.

Thanks for your response. Makes sense. Apparently alignment was possible without detecting any bad suspension parts. Nevertheless, this is the best theory I've come across yet. I'll check it out.

Make sure you're using a repeatable shop for alignment, preferably one that is nation wide or at least regional ( Firestone, Goodyear, Midas, Meineke, Pep-Boys, etc. ) far too many privately owned shops have shady front end alignment technicians that wills align it "as good as they can" with what you have and take your money.

Quick story on that, I took my 80' VW Rabbit for alignment once after I had replaced the hub, obviously I knew it was out of alignment as it ate the tire off less than 75 miles, after I picked it up I noticed no change, I looked at that side to see if I could see anything I might have missed and I noticed that there was still the same tiny grease bridge going across the eccentric nut, so obviously it had not been touched. I took it back and pointed this out to the manager and he brought the car in and looked at it to see what I was talking about, he then paged the tech, the tech said he could put it in alignment but since the tie rod ends where bad it would just go out of alignment when he put it on the ground, which is not exactly true, it would have play in it but still be in the alignment it was put in for the most part, so he was admitting he did nothing but said nothing up to this point and was happy with me paying for nothing, I watched with the manager whiles he aligned it, when he asked if I wanted it an inch out or an inch in and I told him I want it aligned, let the slack do what it wants, just align it.

Lesson learned, my next vehicle I took to Pep-Boys, they told me I had a bent rim and declined to align it, I got a new rim and took it back for alignment, their honest and excellent service benefited both parties.

Maybe someday I will tell the story about the $250 I paid to have some broken exhaust manifold bolts drilled out of my Ford Escort LX, only to find out later, direct from the horse's mouth that they only had to tighten the bolts, again lesson learned, if I am not lied to and the price is fair then I go back and send friends, otherwise I do not and tell everyone I meet not to go there.

Also make sure your not confusing cupping with one side wear, feathering or under inflation ( both sides ).

The goodyears they put on from factory are garbage too. Good for about a year if you're lucky.

Cupping only on the driver's side front? I'd say you are hanging corners and off ramps!

If you rotate every 5000 miles that should take care of the issue. You didn't say anything about your rotation schedule....and like Bleed says, a lower quality tire won't last as well.