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struts?

2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  Dave_N 
#1 ·
I have a 09 LTZ with 18th wheel's and the car has around 133K and I noticed my tires are cupping, not even a year old, granted they are a cheap tire but I wonder if my struts are causing the cupping? I keep the tires rotated and balanced, I did the old deal of pushing down on the car and noticed the front had very little bounce, and the back didn't have any? So could my struts be bad or is the cupping just cause of the cheap tires? I hate to spend more money for a higher end tires only to have them start cupping due to bad struts

If i do need struts anyone can point me in the direction to buy a set online? I'm not having much luck at all, Found plenty for 16 and 17 inch tires.
 
#3 ·
Actually, you don't want the car to bounce when you push down on it - the less it bounces the better (means the struts are doing their job).

I know some of the 8th gens (maybe all?) had major camber issues in the rear and they sell special bolts that allow you to adjust it - not sure, but that may be the issue here. Do some forum searches on the subject for more details ("rear camber bolts")

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#5 ·
I do hear some knocking coming from the back when going over bumps/potholes.. no leaking that i see and I'm assuming they are OEM, but I'm not 100% sure, Wish i knew forsure they was bad, they cost a lot to replace and i do not want to buy a new set if they are not really needed, but the way the tires are cupping, I'm not sure
 
#6 ·
Wish i knew forsure [the struts were] bad, they cost a lot to replace and i do not want to buy a new set if they are not really needed, but the way the tires are cupping, I'm not sure
While worn shocks/struts can indeed contribute to abnormal tire wear, unless the car is flopping badly over bumps, I doubt it's the struts. More likely, it's an alignment issue or perhaps some bad tie rods. That is, if the struts are worn enough to cause tire problems, you would surely notice the bouncing.

Before you buy struts, I suggest you get someone to put it up on the alignment rack and check it. Around here, I can get it checked for 25 bucks, which is much less costly than struts. You want them to check the toe and camber, and to also inspect for play in the tie rods and ball joints.

You don't specify front and rear, but I'm assuming the cupping is happening on the front. Otherwise, checking the rear suspension is called for as well. (Lateral arms and trailing arms.)

HTH.

Doug

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#8 ·
KYB ready struts are a great option for 18" wheels.
 
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