Tires Wear On Outside Edge

Car tires play an important role in your safety on the road. A car accident is possible if the tires are not in good condition. That’s why it’s important to watch how the tires are wearing and take prompt action to repair any problems. What does it signify when the tires are worn on the edges?

We will examine what causes this pattern of tire wear. We also show you what it would take to fix it based on what’s causing it. 

There are reasons tires wear on the outside edge

Tire wear can be caused by low tire pressure. It is simple to correct. However, it’s also possible that your wheels need to be aligned. You might also have other parts failing such as ball joints or suspension components. 

1. Poorly inflated tires

Improperly inflated tires can be the most common reason for strange tread wear and it’s also the easiest to fix. You should check the air pressure inside your tires if you notice that your tire's outside edges are wearing faster than elsewhere. 

The vehicle's load will be perfectly balanced if the tires have been properly inflated. The force that occurs during driving can be better handled by the tires, so there wouldn’t be any strange wear occurring. 

You don’t want to keep driving on tires with the wrong air pressure. Low tires can cause irreparable damage and high pressures could result in an accident. You are unsafe on the roads in either case. 

2. Poor Wheel Alignment

A positive camber indicates that there's a tilt which puts more pressure on the tires. Rubber will begin to wear quicker, making it dangerous. Tire wear can also be caused by a negative toe-in angle.

Wheel alignment is important and should be performed regularly. It is also important to check it every time you encounter a pothole, or any other obstacles. The good news is that the problem isn’t probably related to poor balancing of the tires, as this issue tends to lead to cupping instead. 

READ MORE: Five Signs that your wheel alignment is not right (why you need to fix it).

3. Joints that are not working properly

Wear to the tires' outside is one of the most obvious signs of a problem with the ball joints. You may also notice some feathering occurring as you move closer to the tire’s center. 

The ball joints and tie rods can wear out, causing the wheels to be more pointed inward. This changes the toe alignment. Camber angle can be affected by it, so neither should you ignore them. 

RELATED: What Does it Cost to Replace a Ball Joint?

4. Malfunctioning Suspension

Many parts of your suspension could fail, which could lead to uneven tire wear. The springs, which are common components that can fail over time and become weaker, are the first. Leaf springs could cause the vehicle to lose its arch, and coil springs might become shorter. Camber changes can cause excessive tire wear. 

The struts of a car also have a lot to do with the wheels’ camber positioning. Alignment will change if the car's struts bend. Tires will begin to wear differently at the outside edge. The spindle can also become bent when there’s a lot of pressure put on the wheel hub. This problem can also cause vibration. 

Another possibility is an older strut-tower. The strut tower can rust over time. The camber alignment can become out-of-whack and cause tire wear. However, the symptoms can be quite obvious if your strut tower breaks down. It should be more difficult to steer the car, particularly at higher speeds. If you don’t get the part replaced, you could lose control of the vehicle.

Finally, it’s important to look at the control arm bushings. These bushings are what connect suspension components. The bushings can wear down and cause the control arm to move out of its correct position. This could lead to poor alignment. The bushings may become damaged by heat, stress, or bad road conditions. 

RELATED: Inner Tire Wear – Causes & How to Fix it

How to Replace Tires at the Outside Edge

1. Inflate Tires

Adjusting the pressure on your tires is the easiest way to solve this problem. The best way to fix a problem is to check the pressure of your tires monthly. To find the appropriate tire pressure for your vehicle, look in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door jamb.

If there’s not enough pressure in your tires, you can use an air compressor to put more in. You will need to empty the air from your tires if they are too full. Both of these situations can prove dangerous. If you have an air compressor, you don’t need to spend any money to fix the tire pressures. Numerous tire shops provide free inspections and adjust the pressure. Even if you have to visit a gas station, it shouldn’t cost you more than a few bucks. 

2. Get wheel alignment

An average wheel alignment cost is $50-200 depending on the area you reside in, how many wheels you need, and which type of car. A dealership will charge more for alignment than anywhere else. 

Manufacturers recommend that you align your wheels with every oil change. However, some people may need to do it more frequently. If you travel down rough roads or hit a lot of potholes, it’s best to have the alignment checked more often. 

READ MORE: Average Wheel Alignment Cost (Front, Rear & 4-Wheel)

3. Replace Ball Joints

A wheel alignment is required if four of the ball joints need to be replaced. It could run anywhere from $400 up to $800 depending on which vehicle you have and the place you are taking it. 

It’s normally recommended to replace all of the ball joints at once. You might be able, if you have the tools and the mechanical skills to do so in your garage. You can save some money by doing this.

4. Repair Suspension

There are varying suspension repair costs associated with your vehicle, depending on what’s wrong. However, it’s rare that suspension repairs are cheap, so be prepared to spend a little money. For replacing one spring you will need to spend anywhere from $200-$500. You can also do this job at home with the right tools. 

The cost of replacing a bentstrut can run between $450 to $750. The part doesn’t make up a large portion of this cost, as it mainly falls on the labor charge. You could spend as much as $800 if your vehicle is taken to a dealer or you hire a skilled auto mechanic. You can save money and do the job yourself. 

You could pay $200-$450 to repair the strut tower. You will likely spend at least $2,000 to replace the entire tower. An at-home repair kit might only cost you around $100 and it’s possible to do it yourself with the right amount of mechanical expertise. 

Bushings can be replaced for $200-$600. This cost could vary depending on which car you own. The components can run $100-$400. Seeing the labor charge doesn’t make up a big part of the bill, you know that you can probably handle the job if you have the right tools. 

Drivers who drive with uneven tires are at greater risk

You may think it’s okay to drive with the tires wearing abnormally, but you shouldn’t. You risk an accident and are at great danger. You could be left stranded at the side of the road while changing the tire.

Also, it is more difficult to drive a vehicle if the tires get worn. There could be a noticeable difference in the handling, brake power, and fuel economy. Additionally, you may need new tires before you are ready, which will cause you to waste money. You can prevent uneven wear by having your tires inspected and aligned regularly. This will help to prolong the tire's life and provide better protection.