Buy Now | Log In | ALLDATA Corporate Site | AutoZone.com
Back To Home Page
Log In To Your Subscription
Go To ALLDATA Back Home
Buy A Subscription! Back Home About ALLDATA Information View Sample Vehicles Read Testimonials Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us
Dowload Our Navigation Chart

Sign Up To Receive ALLDATAdiy.com Alerts

Click Here to receive regular product updates, special offers, and automotive news.

2012 Subaru Now Available May 2013: More 2012 Vehicles Added including Fiat!
• View New Vehicles
2012 Subaru Now Available December 2012: More 2012 Vehicles Added including Chevy & GMC!
• View New Vehicles
View All News and Updates:
• Go To News
Tech Tips
  Read All Tech Tips

ALLDATA Tech Articles Are Updated Weekly
• View All Tech Articles

  Dodge Durango: Brake Pulsation Problems In Paul's Durango
• Read Dodge Article
 
Fixing A Smelly Audi Audi Tech Tip: A4 begins to Smell caused by a Faulty Hose Composition
• Read Audi Article
Why Do You Need To Change Your Timing Belt? Why Replace Your Timing Belt
• Read Belt Article
Jim Grant Tech Tips Jim Grant Tech Tips
A collection of helpful articles based on reader submissions
Home >> Featured Tech Articles >> Go Back
   
  Jim Grant's Tech TipsJim Grant's Tech Tips
Below is a collection of Jim Grant's Tech Tips sorted by Vehicle Make. These Tech Tips were answers to questions submitted to Jim by ALLDATAdiy.com users over the course of many years.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.
 
 

Miscellaneous
Acura
Audi
Buick
Cadillac
Chevy
Chrysler

Dodge/Plymouth
Ford
GMC
Geo
Hyundai
Honda
Isuzu

Jeep
Lexus
Lincoln - Mercury
Mazda
Mercedes
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saturn
Subaru
Toyota
Volkswagen
 
   
  Jim Grant's Tech Tips

'97 Ford F150, Tire Cupping

Q: My '97 Ford F150 extended cab with 97k miles is on its second set of tires. The second set of tires began cupping about 20k miles ago. A four wheel alignment was done with the new tires @ 60k miles. Tires are rotated faithfully every 6000-8000 miles. Could my shocks (original) be the problem? How do you know when your shocks are shot?

- Steve S.

A: If the tires are correctly balanced and the steering and suspension components are tight then it is very possible that the shocks on your vehicle need replacing. Shocks or struts for that matter do not have to be leaking to be bad. They can even pass the bounce test and still be bad. The valving, piston and cylinder inside a shock works hard. This hard work causes heat and the heat causes the oil in the shock to break down. This results in scarring of the cylinder and piston which causes a reduction in the absorbing abilities of the shock/strut. The valving and piston can be damaged from the vehicle's suspension bottoming out, like hitting a pot hole. The internal damage can never be seen. But when the shock/strut is working the hardest it can no longer perform. The result can be tire cupping problems. If all else is right install new shocks on all 4 corners of your vehicle. After 90+k your truck deserves it. I'll bet a coffee you'll feel the difference.

 
     
Have any Questions About ALLDATAdiy.com? Please Email Us
Buy Now | Log In | About | Sample Vehicles | Testimonials | Join Affiliate Program