I posted this at the 5th gen forum, but since there were no responses, i hope that i'll get some opinions here...

Car is 2003 Maxima, AT, with 120k + miles.

I was swapping my summer tires/wheels with my winter set.

I noticed that one of the REAR tires has uneven wear on the inside of the tread. It looks and feels like it has "bumps" on it. The tread is not smooth and it has edges. Some SPOTS are worn a lot more than others. Again, This is only on the inside portion of the tire. The outer side of the tire looks fine.
Tread is at 70% where there are no bad spots. Bad spots are at 30%. I guess, this is called "cupping". I have this on the passenger side. Driver side rear tire has no issues.
Why is this happening?

Can i get alignment for the rear axle? I though that this not possible on our cars.

If alignment is not possible - why is my tire wearing like this? This tire has always been on the rear, same side. It is directional and since my rear tires are wider than the front ones, i can never rotate them. Btw, tires are General Exclaim UHP 245/45/17 on 8" Z wheels.

I have the stock OEM springs and newer Tokico Illuminas set at 3. After i replaced the shocks a year ago - i got alignment. All 3 other tires look great.

Ideas?

Thank you!

 

With an 03 there is no alignment possible, no. You may have a bent beam.

 

do you drive the car hard? that may lead to it as well

 

Bent axle maybe? or bent rim

 

If the cupping is on the inner edge of the tire, that would indicate some toe out.

Rear beam is non adjustable, so either you hit something, or someone hit something.

 

Whats the best way to correct cupping. This also happened to my rear wheels. Should i just leave them there at the back wearing improperly or should i bring them to the front for whatever reason, i dont know.

 

[QUOTE=96blkonblkse;6794092]If the cupping is on the inner edge of the tire, that would indicate some toe out.

also will indicate no rotation of tires as well besides generals UHP's have horrible wearability in my experience.

 

bad struts. change struts and keep up on the tire rotations.

 

don't think so. If your struts are properly installed that factor alone should not cause tire cupping. The majority of the time a bent axle beam is to blame.

 

But wont an alignment machine tell you if the beam is bent or off.? I also vote blown strut, happened to me.