1995 Chevy Cavalier Tire worn on one side, vibration at mos

Tiny
ARGHHH
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 76,000 MILES
I drove about 850 miles this weekend, and above 65 the car would vibrate a lot, with the steering wheel shaking.

After the drive up (400 miles), I took it to Walmart to have the wheels balanced. When I came back, they said the order had been cancelled with "unsafe environment". They later explained that it was because the tires were "cupping", which indicates a problem with the suspension, so they didn't do the balance.

Since then, it seems to be vibrating even worse. I can feel it at 35 MPH.

The front right tire is worn in one spot, which is obviously because of some kind of balance or suspension problem, but I don't think it matches the descriptions of "cupping" I see online. It's only worn on one "side". I don't mean it's worn on one edge and not in the middle. I mean the pattern of wear is only visible with the tire rotated in a certain position. In other positions the tread looks pretty normal all the way across.

Does this seem more like an unbalanced tire/wheel, alignment, or failing suspension problem?


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/269800_00030resized_1.jpg

Thursday, July 9th, 2009 AT 8:32 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

You have an alignment problem, you will need to get the tyre replaced and have an alignment check done, this should also include a full suspension & steering component inspection as if anything is worn an alignment is a waste of time until the problem is rectified.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, July 10th, 2009 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
ARGHHH
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Alright. Wal-Mart told me it was a suspension problem, but I'm not sure I believe that. If I bounce the car it seems to settle quickly, and I don't think that would cause one tire to wear on one side.

Here are some hi-res pictures:

http://s952.photobucket.com/albums/ae1/carproblems/tiresandsuspension/
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Friday, July 10th, 2009 AT 8:50 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

The suspension is a lot more than the the re bound rate, the wear in your pic is constant with a Camber adjustment problem, this is the amount of deg that the wheel lays out, this is set in deg, min & sec so a worn lower suspension arm bush, faulty ball joint, even a worn tie rod end or steering rack giving to much toe out can cause this, an alignment check will pick up the problem, but first a thorougher inspection of the steering & suspension must be done.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, July 10th, 2009 AT 6:55 PM

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