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Question

Difficulty: MediumWheels and Tires

A vehicle exhibits cupped, scalloped dips and uneven bald patches spaced at regular intervals around the circumference of the tire tread. Which of the following faulty chassis components is the primary cause of this specific wear pattern?

  1. A
    Sagging suspension coil springs
  2. Worn shock absorbers or strutsAnswer
  3. C
    Warped front brake disc rotors
  4. D
    A worn differential ring and pinion gear

Answer

Worn shock absorbers or struts
Worn shock absorbers or struts fail to dampen the natural oscillations of the suspension springs. This allows the wheel assembly to bounce rapidly off the pavement, creating localized bald spots and scalloped cupping along the circumference of the tread.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the described tire wear pattern
The tire exhibits cupping (scalloped dips and localized bald spots around the tread circumference)
Cupping occurs when the tire repeatedly loses solid contact with the roadway and bounces excessively.
2
Determine which component controls spring oscillation and wheel bounce
Shock absorbers and struts provide hydraulic damping to suppress suspension rebound and wheel hop
When damping units fail, the tire bounces along the road surface, causing irregular impact wear at repeating intervals.

Key Concept

Tire Tread Cupping and Suspension Dampening Diagnostics
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Wheels and Tires

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