Wheel Chop?
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67
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Wheel Chop?
I bought a set a tires from Discount tire (Pathfinders) about 6 months ago with the road hazard. I rotated and had the wheeles balanced at about 10k miles later cause I noticed a slight viberation. Now at 15K miles later its alot more noticable and it also went from front to back after the rotation. Went back to discount tire and they said it was because of "Wheel Chop" caused from shocks being bad on the front. I told him I changed the shocks before I put on the new tires. But they will not replace the tire under warentee because I didnt have them rotated every 5K miles. Are they just trying to screw me or is this a real problem, and if so how do you fix it?
Thanks
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: Central NY
Sams club has always treated me well and covered my tires even when I had them slashed. If management won't work with you; write to the corporate office and see if you can get some satisfaction in that route.
Worst comes to worst, wait until you "accidentally" run over something and now its covered under the road hazard warranty.
<evil grin>
Popa Tim
Worst comes to worst, wait until you "accidentally" run over something and now its covered under the road hazard warranty.
<evil grin>
Popa Tim
Tuned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: MI
Now that confirms it with me. I've heard the same thing from another person I know with these tires.
I also own Pathfinders on my truck and I get bad vibrations and even hopping at a few certain speeds. I went to Discount tire 3 times and they finally replaced a tire. The problem wasn't as bad, but still there. Then it got very bad. Now its just humming and it hops sometimes at around 70mph. I thought it was because the rear axle bearings were worn. Now I'm thinking these tires may have caused them to wear quickly. BTW, 16k on the tires and they need replaced. They didn't wear well.
I should also note that Pathfinder is exclusively made for Discount Tire.
I also own Pathfinders on my truck and I get bad vibrations and even hopping at a few certain speeds. I went to Discount tire 3 times and they finally replaced a tire. The problem wasn't as bad, but still there. Then it got very bad. Now its just humming and it hops sometimes at around 70mph. I thought it was because the rear axle bearings were worn. Now I'm thinking these tires may have caused them to wear quickly. BTW, 16k on the tires and they need replaced. They didn't wear well.
I should also note that Pathfinder is exclusively made for Discount Tire.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Other than the tires that came with my truck in 1993, it's never had new tires. I go the junkyard tire route. Certainly they don't last 80K but they cost $5 each so I replace them often.
Anyway, weak shocks can allow tires to hop a lot causing cupping on the tread which is often called wheel-chop. It's not the tire companies fault, but then again they have no way of proviing of the shock is bad unless they took it out, and put it under a known weight and timed how long it took the shock to go from full extension to full compression.
Anyway, I'd take the tires back to discount tire and argue some more. If not, call their corporate office as suggested. Usually for the cost of one tire, they'll shut you up by making good on it.
This avoids much negative publicity on the internet ;-)
Anyway, weak shocks can allow tires to hop a lot causing cupping on the tread which is often called wheel-chop. It's not the tire companies fault, but then again they have no way of proviing of the shock is bad unless they took it out, and put it under a known weight and timed how long it took the shock to go from full extension to full compression.
Anyway, I'd take the tires back to discount tire and argue some more. If not, call their corporate office as suggested. Usually for the cost of one tire, they'll shut you up by making good on it.
This avoids much negative publicity on the internet ;-)
