While irregular tire wear is a good indication that it might be time to
have your tires replaced, did you know that it can also be a warning sign that
your vehicle is experiencing steering, alignment or suspension problems?
Becoming familiar with these early warning signs is a good preventative
maintenance tip that will keep you on the road.
Steering
If your vehicle is pulling to one side, make sure you first check your
tire pressure. If your tire pressure is balanced, your steering problems could
be due to any of the following: an uneven tire rod length, incorrect toe,
unequal camber or caster, or an incorrect center link/rack height. If you are
experiencing excessive steering play or hard steering, have your technician
check for loose or worn struts, strut mounts, shocks, springs and/or bushings.
Suspension
There are many components within the suspension system of your vehicle.
If you are experiencing suspension problems, have your technician check the tire
alignment, bearings, bushings, strut rods, springs and/or control arms. Be sure
to inspect all suspension components and repair all parts that are worn or
damaged. Failure to do so may allow the problem to reoccur and cause premature
failure of other suspension components.
Alignment
Wheel alignment is needed for proper handling and tire wear. Proper wheel
alignment keeps the wheels from scuffing, dragging or slipping. It also reduces
fuel consumption and strain on steering and suspension parts, and improves
steering ability. There are three alignment angles that affect your vehicle;
camber, caster and toe.
Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel at the top from a true
vehicle line and is measured in degrees. The purpose of this adjustment is to
distribute the vehicle load closer to the point of road contact. This makes
steering easier and helps prevent excessive tire wear.
Caster is a directional control angle measured in degrees and is the
amount that the steering axis tilted from true vertical backward or forward.
Caster affects turning ease, straight-line stability and steering wheel
returnability.
Toe is the difference between the front and rear of the corresponding
tires at spindle height. This is easier to understand when you compare your
car's wheels to your own feet. When the fronts of the tires face in toward the
car, this is called toe-in. When they face out from the car, this is called
toe-out. Incorrect toe will increase tire scrub and wear.
Source: Car Care Council