They say don’t judge a book by its cover! But, just the appearance of a good quality tire speaks a lot! If there is outerwear, such as visible cracks in tread that are unsafe, it will become quite evident by just looking at the tires.. Not the same can be said about inner tire wear and that is why learning how to fix an inner tire wear and how to avoid it in the future can become a hassle.
Inner tire wear can be caused by fault shocks, negative camber, wheel misalignment, etc. You must identify the problem if you wish to tap the right solution. Fixing inner tire wear can cost as much as $60 to $2000 depending on what the issue is.
Although the list of reasons is pretty long, it is important to identify the exact problem of your vehicle. Then you can initiate a solution strategy. You can read all about this below!
What Causes Inner Tire Wear
Inner tire wear can be caused by a number of factors. These include improper tire inflation, misalignment of the wheels, and worn suspension components.
Improper tire inflation can cause the tire to wear unevenly, with the inner edge bearing the brunt of the load. Misaligned wheels can also cause the tire to wear unevenly.
In addition, driving habits, such as hard cornering or aggressive braking, can also contribute to inner tire wear. It is important to regularly check and maintain your tires and suspension components to ensure optimal tire wear and performance.
Some of the components or activities that can cause inner tire wear are discussed in further detail below.
1. Faulty Shocks and Struts
Faulty shocks and struts can cause inner tire wear in a few different ways. Firstly, shocks and struts are responsible for damping the movement of the suspension as the vehicle moves over bumps and uneven surfaces.
When they are not functioning properly, the suspension may bounce excessively. This causes the tire to make more contact with the ground and increasing wear on the inner edge.
Another way that faulty shocks and struts can cause inner tire wear is by failing to properly support the weight of the vehicle. This can cause the suspension to sag, causing the tire to lean inward at the top and wear on the inner edge.
Additionally, if the alignment of the vehicle is off due to faulty shocks or struts, it can cause the tire to wear unevenly.
2. Misaligned Wheels
Even if you don’t have a direct issue with the camber, misaligned wheels can cause this over time. It can also result from pothole collisions. Misaligned wheels will cause your car to pull to one side when you are driving straight.
Fortunately, wheel alignment issue is easy to identify. You are required to drive on a straight and leveled tarmac with the wheel held at 12 o’ clock position for a minute or so. Note if the car is able to go straight or not. If not, then your vehicle is suffering from improper wheel alignment.
3. Negative Camber
Negative camber refers to the angle at which a tire is tilted inwards at the top when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle.
It is a suspension setting that is often used to improve a vehicle’s handling and stability. This is done by allowing the tire to have a larger contact patch with the ground when cornering.
When a vehicle has too much negative camber, it can cause the inner edge of the tire to experience more wear than the outer edge.
This is because the inner edge of the tire is carrying more of the vehicle’s weight when cornering, leading to increased friction and heat.
4. Toe Settings
Toe settings refer to the angle at which the tires on a vehicle are pointed in relation to the centerline of the vehicle. Incorrect toe settings can cause inner tire wear, which refers to the wear on the inner edges of the tires.
If the toe setting is incorrect, it can cause the tires to scrub against the road as the vehicle moves. This can lead to excessive wear on the inner edges of the tires, as well as decreased fuel efficiency and reduced handling performance.
Toe settings can become incorrect due to a variety of factors, including worn or damaged suspension components, misalignment of the wheels, or incorrect installation of tire and wheel components.
To correct toe settings, a mechanic will use a tool called a toe gauge to measure the angle of the tires and make adjustments to the suspension components as needed. This can be done during a routine tire rotation or as part of a regular vehicle maintenance schedule.
5. Worn Ball Joints
Worn ball joints can cause inner tire wear in a number of ways. Firstly, ball joints are responsible for allowing the suspension of a vehicle to move up and down, as well as allowing the wheels to turn left and right.
When the ball joints become worn, they can start to become loose and allow the wheels to move excessively. This can cause the wheels to toe in or toe out, which can result in the tire scrubbing against the road surface.
This can cause the inner edge of the tire to wear down faster than the rest of the tire, leading to uneven tire wear.
Another way that worn ball joints can cause inner tire wear is by allowing the suspension to bounce excessively. When the suspension bounces, the tires can also bounce, which can cause the tire to scrub against the road surface.
In addition to causing uneven tire wear, worn ball joints can also affect the handling and stability of a vehicle. When the ball joints are worn, the suspension may not be able to properly control the movement of the wheel. This can cause the vehicle to feel unstable and difficult to control.
This can be especially dangerous when driving at high speeds or in adverse weather conditions. To prevent inner tire wear caused by worn ball joints, it is important to have the ball joints checked regularly.
6. Worn Tie Rods
How worn tie rods can lead to inner tire wear is a long story!
Basically, the tie rods have the duty to maintain the angle between both wheels when the vehicle is on the go. Under normal circumstances, the tie rods function smoothly but if you do not frequently grease them, they can wear out faster than expected.
Once the tie rods are out of shape, you will experience alignment issues with the car. Eventually, it can trigger inner tire wear.
Professionals suggest that you should grease the tire rods every time you get an oil change. However, if the vehicle is constantly being driven over mud or water, it is recommended that you grease the rods more often.
7. Wrongly Inflated Tires
Depending on the type and size of the tire that you are using, there is a specific air pressure that is recommended. Deviating from this air pressure level can lead to over-inflating or under-inflating, both of which are harmful to the longevity of the tires.
Under-inflation or over-inflation can cause the tires to wear faster. You must respond to this by adjusting the air pressure to the recommended value as soon as possible and that would control the inner tire wear considerably.
Is There Inner Tire Wear Under Normal Circumstances
If you are wondering whether tires can wear out normally over time, the answer is yes!
However, inner tire wear is hardly ever caused by simply driving on rough terrain. The reason is more specific such as incorrect camber and toe measurements, misaligned wheels, or worn out parts.
In simpler words, inner tire wear does not happen under normal circumstances. If you ensure that all the above-mentioned components are in perfect shape, it is highly unlikely that you will come across this issue.
Moreover, it is a good habit to regularly check the condition of your tires and inspect for any potential damages. If you notice that something is off, take the vehicle to a professional repair shop that are fully equipped to deal with the matter
What Are The Ways To Fix Inner Tire Wear?
Inner tire wear can be caused by a variety of factors, including misaligned wheels, worn suspension components, or overinflated tires. To fix inner tire wear, you’ll need to address the underlying cause.
You can begin by checking your tire pressure. If your tires are overinflated, you’ll need to let some air out to bring them back to the recommended level. Underinflated tires can also cause inner tire wear, so be sure to check and adjust your tire pressure as needed.
Moreover, inspect your wheels and tires for signs of damage or wear. If you notice any uneven wear patterns, this could indicate a misalignment issue. Check your suspension components, such as your shocks and struts, for wear or damage.
To prevent inner tire wear caused by negative camber, it is important to ensure that the suspension is properly aligned. This involves adjusting the camber angle to the manufacturer’s recommended specifications, as well as checking and adjusting other suspension components such as the toe angle and caster angle.
If your wheels are misaligned, it can cause your tires to wear unevenly and may lead to inner tire wear. By addressing the underlying cause of inner tire wear, you can help extend the life of your tires and ensure your vehicle is running safely and efficiently.
1. Aligning The Wheels
When the wheels are not properly aligned, it can cause the tires to scrub against the road surface, resulting in uneven wear. To fix inner tire wear caused by misalignment, the wheels must be realigned.
To align the wheels, a mechanic will use specialized equipment to measure the position of the wheels relative to the car’s frame. They will then make any necessary adjustments to bring the wheels back into proper alignment.
In addition to fixing inner tire wear, aligning the wheels can also improve the overall handling and performance of the car. It can help reduce fuel consumption, as the car will be able to move more efficiently, and it can also help extend the lifespan of the tires by preventing uneven wear.
Overall, aligning the wheels is an important step in maintaining the health and performance of your car. If you notice any signs of inner tire wear or misalignment, it’s important to have the wheels aligned as soon as possible to prevent further damage and ensure that your car is running smoothly.
2. Balancing Wheels Properly
Getting your wheels balanced properly is one of the quickest methods to control uneven, inner tire wear. Experts suggest balancing wheels professionally every 2 years and also to have this performed if you change the tires on your vehicles.
Sticking to this approach regularly can help elongate the life of the tires. It can considerably slow down the inner tire wear and, in fact, some drivers have also shared that with correct balancing the wear stopped completely.
3. Properly Inflate Tires
It is recommended that you double check the tire pressure after you have driven a few miles following air pressure adjustment. This will give you a better idea of tire performance.
You can also consider investing in a portable tire inflator. This is quite convenient if you take regular trips and don’t have time to visit the shop whenever you get a flat tire.
4. Replace Damaged Suspension Components
If inner tire wear is being caused by damaged suspension components, replacing those components can help fix the problem.
- Identify which suspension component is damaged. This can be done through visual inspection or by taking the car to a mechanic for a diagnostic check.
- Purchase the necessary replacement parts. Make sure to get the correct parts for your specific make and model of car.
- Jack up the car and remove the wheel. This will give you access to the suspension component that needs to be replaced.
- Disconnect any bolts or other fasteners that are holding the component in place.
- Remove the damaged component and install the new one in its place. Make sure to tighten any bolts or fasteners securely.
- Repeat the process on the other side of the car if necessary.
- Lower the car and test drive it to make sure the suspension is functioning properly.
In order to prevent inner tire wear caused by faulty shocks and struts, it is important to have these components regularly inspected and replaced if necessary.
Properly functioning shocks and struts will ensure that the suspension is damping movement effectively, supporting the weight of the vehicle properly, and maintaining proper alignment.
What Is The Cost To Fix Inner Tire Wear?
The total cost for the fixture depends on what caused the tire wear. You must also take into account how much replacement or repairing is needed. It can be a lot! Especially because experts suggest that you should always take the tire to a professional repair shop such as Walmart for satisfactory work.
- Simple wheel alignment costs around $60 to $100.
- Ball joints or fixing of suspension control arms expenditure can exceed $300.
- Replacements of all the ball joints and control arms cost approximately $2,000.
- Replacement of the four shocks and struts is approximately for $1,000 to $2,000.
The charges will obviously vary depending on which car and the model you are using. Fees for replacements or repairs are typically higher for the vehicles that are out of market or do not have the spare parts available easily.
If the tire is completely useless considering the damage, you will have to visit a store and buy new ones. In this case, purchase and installation of new wheels can be quite expensive. However, Walmart tire installation costs are reasonable and you should consider this in times of need.
What More Should You Know?
What Is Minimum Legal Tread Depth
The tread depth allowed under law varies between different states in the US. Some of the tit bits that you should know about are listed below.
- In the majority of the states, 2/32 of an inch or 1.6 mm is considered the minimum legal tread depth.
- Some of the states have lenient rules but 2/32 of an inch is the minimum number that you should not go below.
Because driving with a tread depth lower than this is a risk for the vehicle and the driver, professionals have come up with an easy way to check the tire tread depth quickly. This is called the Penny Test and we will shortly explain how this works below.
Step 1: Take a regular US penny. Insert the penny in the tread.
Step 2: Ensure that you place the Lincoln’s head facing down. It should also be placed with the face outwards.
Step 3: Then move back and see if you are able to see Lincoln’s face.
So, if the face is visible, your tread levels are under 2/32 of an inch. Then you should preferably get it checked as soon as possible.
Furthermore, you should confirm the tread depth by checking it on different locations and in both positions, inwards and outwards. Experts also suggest using a car lift or simply a jack stand to lift the car when checking.
Is It Safe To Drive With Unevenly Worn Tires
It is a long argument to determine whether you are safe driving with worn out tires or not. The bottom line is that, even if you avoid an accident, you can end up facing inconvenience. This is because an unevenly worn tires can expire any time.
If you continue to use the tire in this situation, there are significant chances of tire blowout when you are on the go.
That is why it is important to maintain decent quality of the tires. Keep a check on their condition from time to time.
Wrap Up
As you can see, there are many things that can contribute to inner tire wear and until you recognize the underlying problem, you will not be able to employ the right fix. Moreover, faulty tires can worsen overtime so it is important to timely get them repaired or replaced.
We have included most of the reasons that may lead to inner tire wear and have also discussed, in full detail, how you can fix inner tire wear. But, do you know of more solutions? Don’t forget to share your two cents in the comment section below!
