Rep Power: 0

My wife has had a 2000 Civic for about two years now. In the last six months, we began having problems with the car riding very rough, and eating tires like candy.

I replaced the front struts, but now I am having serious rear cupping issues on the tires.

Since my wife drives nearly 70 miles round trip each day for work (we live in rural Oklahoma) I need to get this fixed ASAP.

Of course, it took me a while to convince her that her car had a problem at all. She seems to sincerely think that this vibration she feels when driving is normal..

So, basically, do I have to replace the entire rear suspension, or in the interest of not spending thousands of dollars, where should I begin, in order to figure out the exact cause?

 
Rep Power: 517

Your tires probably aren't "cupping", it's more like they are chopping the tread blocks on the inner edges of the tread, or flattening diagonally across the tread face.
I haven't seen true textbook cupping since the 80s.


You replaced front struts, but has the car had a 4-wheel alignment lately?



Biggest question: How often did you rotate the tires?

Too infrequent and irregular tire rotation, coupled with cheaper tires that are prone to the condition by design, leads to this.
Even on a car that has perfect rear suspension.
It's the nature of front wheel drive.

 
Rep Power: 366

yup, more likely a toe issue (alignment should be done once a year if possible) and tire rotation. Rough ride is likely the rear shocks needing replacing too.