Really strange tire wear.

[Mauser]

I'm wondering if anyone can provide some insight into this tire wear. It's ONLY happening to the front left (Driver's side) tire. All others are fine. I'm putting the winters on a little early this year due to punctures, and the unusual ware pattern. Any help would be appreciated. Was it not put on/tightened all the way? I verified the torque settings on the nuts multiple times.

Looking at the pictures, right is the outside, left is inside.
I don't understand the odd ticking on the second from inside strip, and the very strange balding of the inner most section of the tire.

Thank you in advance,

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[ack154]

That's either rubbing on something or you really need to get your alignment checked. Being kind of over the shoulder makes me lean towards rubbing - but that should only be a problem if you're running some odd wheel/tire/suspension setup. If it's all stock sizes/parts, alignment should be your next thing.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I'm wondering if anyone can provide some insight into this tire wear. It's ONLY happening to the front left (Driver's side) tire. All others are fine. I'm putting the winters on a little early this year due to punctures, and the unusual ware pattern. Any help would be appreciated. Was it not put on/tightened all the way? I verified the torque settings on the nuts multiple times.

Looking at the pictures, right is the outside, left is inside.
I don't understand the odd ticking on the second from inside strip, and the very strange balding of the inner most section of the tire.

Thank you in advance,

Yes that looks like it's rubbing on something like the fender liner? Are these the factory wheels or aftermarket ones? Have you ever hit anything like a bad pothole or curb?

EDIT: If those are the factory wheels then it could be toe wear. Alignment check would be advised.

 

[GJTBOW]

I really can’t imagine it rubbing unless there are other big issues. Looks to me like a bad tire, maybe broken belt inside. I would think you could feel that while driving or hear it. Centre wear is also an indication of over inflating. If all tread depths are that low it’s probably time for four new tires. Misshaped tires often happen with high mileage.

 

[E90alex]

Toe wear. Get an alignment .

 

[HuntingPudel]

Looks like the toe is seriously out of whack or there's a rub. That tire is worn through the tread and into its carcass, so it needs to be replaced after your alignment or the rub is found and is fixed.

 

[Teslaeata]

Unlikely to be rubbing due to smooth wear pattern and you’d surely hear that.

Unlikely to be defective tyre, wear pattern too even & smooth.

If right hand tyre not also wearing in a similar manner even if not so excessive unlikely to be toe which should affect both tyres in same way.

So, that leaves something like camber angle too positive (leaning out at top when viewed from front or rear) or worn/damaged steering or suspension.

I’d be having an alignment check after you’ve described or shown the aligners the wear characteristics so they can do their job with eyes open, brain in gear and check steering and suspension for wear/damage rather than just blindly check/adjust readings.

Good luck and hope you get to the bottom of this as it will improve tyre life and also range

 

[ack154]

I don't think this is a positive camber issue. Based on OP's post, the left side of the photo is the inside of the tire, so it would be negative camber - but negative camber alone will not do this. Significant wear like that would usually be the result of a bad toe adjustment (in combination with some amount of negative camber).

But I'm not sold on the alignment being the issue based on the shape of the wear. That wear "pattern" is super odd. Almost like there's a small lip on the outside edge. While I agree that if rubbing were causing this much damage, you'd probably hear something - that kind of wear is just really strange, and I'd expect it to be more smooth/flat on that edge.

 

[Teslaeata]

I don't think this is a positive camber issue. Based on OP's post, the left side of the photo is the inside of the tire, so it would be negative camber - but negative camber alone will not do this. Significant wear like that would usually be the result of a bad toe adjustment (in combination with some amount of negative camber).

But I'm not sold on the alignment being the issue based on the shape of the wear. That wear "pattern" is super odd. Almost like there's a small lip on the outside edge. While I agree that if rubbing were causing this much damage, you'd probably hear something - that kind of wear is just really strange, and I'd expect it to be more smooth/flat on that edge.

I meant negative, you are quite correct, but toe should cause other side to wear in same way.

I experienced that exact tyre wear as OP on rears of Outlander which, when loaded to max as I tend to do nearly all the time, caused excessive negative camber both sides.

Irrespective, until an inspection and alignment check it’s all conjecture.

 

[Mauser]

These were the original P-Zero's when purchased. This was the last summer with them - just switched to my winters early because of this. I haven't changed anything on the original geometry of the car.

I'll schedule an appointment with the dealer for an alignment since I have an outstanding recall anyways.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Zephrant]

I've had odd tire wear from bad wheel bearings. If someone hit a curb it can tweak them and cause them to go loose far too early.

With the car on jack stands, grab the wheel and see if there is any play up/down or side to side. Also spin it and listen.

Wear on only one side has always been bearings for me.

 

[Jynxy in Texas]

I just had BOTH of my driver side tires have this very strange wear pattern. Very inner, near the edge. I have 99k miles on my vehicle, was on my third set of tires. I will say.... I have hit all sorts of stuff over the last three years driving about the houston area doing deliveries /uber /spark /whatever side gig. Replaced the two bad ones as they had been eaten thru after only 5k miles. My husband owns a tire shop. He checked my alignment and says it is fine.

Before I take it to ford to see if they can tell me anything, I decided to google and see if it is something that has to do with the car itself. Car is a rear wheel drive, not awd. If it was awd, would think bearings. Did the OP get a diagnose/fix on this issue?

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