[John Anthony]

My son's 1999 Camry LE I4. The tires had less than 10K miles on them when we bought this car and all four tires were in great condition. About 5K miles later, the front tires are both worn on the inside edges. In other words, the middle of the treads look perfectly fine and both edges are quite worn down evenly, no cupping or anything like that. The wear looks like the type of wear that tires get when driven while very low on air, but I checked the pressure and they were fine, around 31/32 psi each. The car doesn't really pull to either side and it drives smoothly.


Could this just be needing an alignment? If not, for what can I look or inspect to see if some suspension part is worn?

 

[mcgowaw]

john, i run 36 cold in mine to keep them from doing this. note, make it 2 more pounds if you're checking them after the car's been driven.
tony

 

[John Anthony]

john, i run 36 cold in mine to keep them from doing this. note, make it 2 more pounds if you're checking them after the car's been driven.
tony

Yes, I have considered this as well, but I've had other cars with tires that I've kept at 31/32 for literally 100K miles (no alignment in between tire changes for 90K to 100K miles) with very even wear all across the tire, very unlike these tires. I'm thinking either the alignment is off or there is some worn suspension part?? They are Falken tires, btw. I don't know if that makes a difference. The rear tires look fine, btw.


I do now keep my personal cars inflated to around 33 - 35 psi or so.

 

[bdy0003]

When you say inside edge, do you mean only the edge that is medial to the car as opposed to lateral? Or are you saying that both edges on each tire are wearing out faster? When I read this, I thought the inside edge wore faster, indicating negative camber. Did you get an alignment done after putting these tires on the cars?

 

[Mike Gerber]

The alignment can also be off in it's toe adjustment. That could also cause the wear on the inside of the tires.

Mike

 

[mcgowaw]

mike g, per OP "both edges are quite worn down evenly" so would toe-in/out cause both edges of each front tire to wear before the middles and evenly?
tony

 

[Kingdom934]

if it's wearing out on the inner only, it's probably an alignment issue. I would also check for any play with the control arm (bushings sometimes fail) and inner-outer tie rod since your down there.

 

[John Anthony]

It is both the medial and the lateral edges. Sorry, the car is in another city where my son lives, and I can't post a photo. We bought the car with these tires on them that had been put on less than 10K miles previous to the purchase of the car. We did not get an alignment since the car was driving straight. Less than 5K later the edges are worn.

The car has 143K miles on it, by the way, and runs fine.

 

[Mike Gerber]

mike g, per OP "both edges are quite worn down evenly" so would toe-in/out cause both edges of each front tire to wear before the middles and evenly?
tony

I believe in his original post he said only the inside edges of both front tires are worn.

Mike

 

[John Anthony]

mike g, per OP "both edges are quite worn down evenly" so would toe-in/out cause both edges of each front tire to wear before the middles and evenly?
tony

I believe in his original post he said only the inside edges of both front tires are worn.

Mike

Yeah, both of you are right. I didn't explain myself very well. I said inside edges then I said it was both edges; sorry for the poor description and saying both things.

Both the inside (medial) and outside (lateral) edges of both front tires are worn.

Here is a tire wear chart I found on the internet. It's the 2nd figure from the left. Red arrows pointing to the worn edges (both sides):

 

[mcgowaw]

so, assuming your son is driving the car like a camry, then it's got to be underinflation. go to 36 lbs and you won't regret it.
tony

 

[MrGiggles]

Unless very excessive, toe wear is usually even all the way across. There will be rubber "burrs" on the edge of the tread too, like it was scraped with sandpaper

Some tires behave differently with the same air pressure depending on sidewall material and construction. Best to monitor wear and adjust accordingly, instead of going with manufacturer recommendations.

 

[Mike Gerber]

Since the clarification that it's both the inside and outside edges of both front tires that are wearing, I agree with Mcgowaw. It's most likely caused by underinflation.

Mike

 

[John Anthony]

OK guys, I'll tell him to increase the tire pressure in the front. He's not an aggressive driver, so it must be the psi.

Thanks very much for your input.

 

[speedy25]

Underinflation will NOT cause excessive wear in 5k miles.

Have you son go to a REAL alignment shop and not a discount service chain for a proper examination of the suspension and steering. Most probable is worn tie rod ends but there can be other parts worn out too.

-SP

 

[JohnGD]

I know what you're saying. I've seen this when tires are properly inflated, primarily on 4-cyl Camrys for some reason. It's almost like suspension components aren't tight.

Don't really know why.

Yeah, both of you are right. I didn't explain myself very well. I said inside edges then I said it was both edges; sorry for the poor description and saying both things.

 

[mcgowaw]

i see it too, on my 4 banger, when my 19yo son drives it like it's a ferrari or something, plus the fact he ran the tires at 28 lbs cause it handled and felt better.
tony

 

[MrGiggles]

Could also be a side affect of a heavy car with soft springs and McPherson strut suspension. Camber is not constant.