Why Do Truck Tires Wear Prematurely/Unevenly?
As tires are used their tread tends to slowly become shallower over time, changing their overall performance. On the other hand, irregular tread wear can occur due to various reasons. Some conditions can be remedied when caught during their early stages; others can ultimately cause you to have to purchase new tires sooner than expected. The causes of uneven tire wear range from inadequate tire pressure or improper mount and balance to misalignment and worn suspension components.
Here are the types of tire wear conditions, what causes them, and how to address the issue.
Alternate Lug Wear
Lugs of the tires are not wearing consistently because they are not making contact with the road at the same time, often seen with duals.
Causes:
- Mismatched duals
- Inconsistent inflation
- Possible tread/tire design
Recommendation:
- Inflate and match duals by brand and model. Alternate lug wear may be subject to a particular tread types.
Both Shoulder Wear
The tire’s tread is not making flat contact with the road.
Causes:
- Low inflation pressure and load
Recommendation:
- Inflate tire, abide by manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.
Cupping/ Scalloping
The tire is bouncing sideways during phases of its rotation. It may be wobbling on the rim or axel.
Causes:
- Out of balance wheel assembly
- Loose wheel bearings
- Incorrect tire mount
- Worn suspension components
- Tread design
Recommendation:
- Tighten wheel bearings, check wheel assembly for proper tire and axle mounting. Test other wheel brands and models if issues continue.
Diagonal Wear
Tire is not tracking straight down the road, and bouncing slightly sideways during phases of its rotation.
Causes:
- Loose wheel bearings
- Incorrect tire mount
- Out of balance wheel assembly
- Worn suspension components
- Mismatched or inconsistent dual inflation
Recommendation:
- Tighten wheel bearings, check wheel assembly for proper tire and axel mounting. Test other wheel brands and models if issues continue.
Feather Edge Wear
The tire is angled slightly to the side, tire is not tracking straight down the road.
Causes:
- Out-of-spec alignment
Recommendation:
- Correct alignment
Heel/Toe Wear
The trailing portion of the tire’s tread lugs is scuffing the road, distorting while driving and they’re not contact the ground entirely.
Causes:
- Out-of-spec alignment
- Low inflation
- Tread design
Recommendation:
- Correct alignment and inflate tires. Test other wheel brands and models if issues continue.
One-Sided Wear
The tire is titled to one or the other and applying too much pressure to the shoulder.
Causes:
- Out-of-spec alignment
- Overloaded axles
Recommendation:
- Correct alignment. If wear is caught very early, rotating the tire may remedy the issue. If wear is very obvious, replace and realign.
