So i got some Dunlop Direzza Z1 tires for the Celi 205-50 R16. had the car re-aligned within a week. Anywho they ran fine for the first 2000 miles then the car started to rumble and I shrugged it off (because of a different problem with the harmonic balancer). When I was rotating the tires I noticed really bad cupping on the inside of both front tires. I checked they cant rub on anything, struts are not great but still pass the bounce test, properly inflated tires. One thing I should say is that the cupping starts on the lip where the tread grooves are. The only thing i can think of is that the tire is too squared off at the lip and the cornering is pealing off the rubber. any other ideas?

Too late to take a picture.

I'd say get an alignment.
Sounds like the toe is out of wack. Meaning the wheels are pointing inward (like crossing your eyes) or the other way around I cant remember which.

Here, check this out. It's pretty informational.

http://get-rowdy.omgforum.net/t170-tire-shiz

I had gotten dunlops direzza's before, not sure the type though, but I would not recommend them at all. They wore out within a year of use. I mean both the front and rears were really bad, and this was with just regular daily driving. The car was aligned properly, but I would never get them again. And the insides would wear faster than the outside on each tire too.

This post has been edited by mkernz22: Aug 12, 2012 - 10:27 AM

Since both front tires are "cupping," traditionally indicates out of alignment or worse case a front end suspension that is worn out and will not maintain proper alignment. Of course, certain tires more susceptible to wear, e.g. soft performance tires - but still the problem is the same cause.

Please let us know what you determine - if you trust the original alignment people, perhaps they can provide some perspective.

Good Luck...



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If the outside edges are worn its underinflated if the inside of the tire wears faster its overinflated. Sometimes you have to adjust the tire pressure because of the weight of the vehicle. There isnt a specific pressure for any given tire.

If you are saying only the inside edges are worn then I would suspect incorrect camber( the tires lean towards the vehicle) or incorrect toe angle

This post has been edited by Special_Edy: Aug 17, 2012 - 12:06 PM

have you lowered your car? if so this will affect camber(gives more negative thus wearing inside of tire). Sounds like who ever you took it too did something wrong. camber wont wear the tires as much as toe would. id take it back and make them realign it with you watching. curious as to what machine they use as well.
also make sure before you go your tires are at 32psi and if they do check the air like there spose to, to make them put 32psi. this will affect the measurements some.

Thanks for the feedback I had the tires at 48 PSI the recomended amount from the guys at Tire rack to fit my car with the custom rims and tires. even if they were over inflated the tires would have started cupping or wearing from the center. found out the mechanic wasn't so good he screwed up a couple of the other cars camber and did/attempted a four wheel alignment on a rear wheel drive truck.

Never going there again

good to hear it was a person that was the issue and not your car. i bet you could get some free tires and alignment off of this. trucks with independent rear suspension you can align like the ridge line, and thats the only one that comes to mind haha.

My RWD 64 chevy needs a 4 wheel alignment, but thats cause the brackets welded to the later model axle are off a hair.

I have seen an axlehousing slide down the leafspring before though.

Just keep an eye on your tire tread. I have to run 5 psi in the rear tires on my truck or else they wear crazy fast in the center from overinflation. Its all relative to tire size, vehicle weight and sidewall composition.

This post has been edited by Special_Edy: Aug 24, 2012 - 12:56 PM