Inner tire wear is when the inner part of the tire (the part closest to the car’s body) starts to show signs of wear and tear. This is typically caused by a misalignment of the tire, which can be caused by a variety of factors.
Inner tire wear can be dangerous, as it can cause the tire to become less stable and more prone to failure. If you notice inner tire wear, here’s what you can do to fix it.
Causes of inner tire wear
There are several common causes of inner tire wear:
Poor Camber angle
Camber angle is the angle at which a tire is tilted when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle.
If a tire has a negative camber angle (meaning it is tilted inward toward the car’s body), it can cause the inner part of the tire to wear down faster than the outer part. This is because the weight of the car is not evenly distributed across the tire, which can cause excessive wear on the inner part of the tire.
If the camber angle is not properly aligned, it can lead to inner tire wear over time, which can make the tire less stable and more prone to failure.
It’s important to have your tires checked and aligned by a professional if you notice any signs of inner tire wear, as this can help prevent further damage to your tires.
Worn out ball joints
Ball joints are the components that connect a car’s suspension to its wheels, and they allow the wheels to move up and down as the car goes over bumps and other obstacles in the road.
If a ball joint is worn out, it can cause the suspension to become misaligned, which can cause the inner part of the tire to wear down faster than the outer part. This is because the weight of the car is not evenly distributed across the tire, which can cause excessive wear on the inner part of the tire.
If the ball joints are not replaced in a timely manner, it can lead to inner tire wear and a loss of stability and control, which can be dangerous. It’s important to have your ball joints checked and replaced by a professional if you notice any signs of wear or if you notice any unusual tire wear.
Worn tire rods
The tire rods are the components that connect the wheels to the suspension, and they allow the car to turn and go over bumps.
If a tire rod becomes worn out, can lead to tires wearing unevenly and so it can definitely cause inner tire wear.
Incorrect toe settings
Toe refers to the angle at which the tires are pointed in relation to the car’s body.
If the toe settings are not correct, it can cause the tires to drag or scrub against the road, which can cause the inner part of the tire to wear down faster than the outer part. This is because the weight of the car is not evenly distributed across the tire, which can cause excessive wear on the inner part of the tire.
If the toe settings are not properly aligned, it can lead to inner tire wear over time, which can make the tire less stable and more prone to failure. It’s important to have your tires checked and aligned by a professional if you notice any signs of inner tire wear, as this can help prevent further damage to your tires.
Damaged suspension components
The suspension is the system of components that connects a car’s body to its wheels, and it helps to absorb the shock of driving over bumps and other obstacles in the road.
If the suspension components are damaged, it can cause the wheels to become misaligned, which can cause the inner part of the tire to wear down faster than the outer part. This is because the weight of the car is not evenly distributed across the tire, which can cause excessive wear on the inner part of the tire.
If the suspension components are not repaired or replaced in a timely manner, it can lead to inner tire wear and a loss of stability and control, which can be dangerous. It’s important to have your suspension components checked and repaired by a professional if you notice any signs of damage or if you notice any unusual tire wear.
Improperly inflated tires
When your tires are under inflated, it makes it difficult for them to move evenly across the road, which can cause the inner part of the tire to wear down faster than the outer part. This is because the weight of the car is not evenly distributed across the tire, which can cause excessive wear on the inner part of the tire.
Is inner tire wear dangerous?
Yes, it is definitely dangerous to allow your tires to become worn on the inside. As the inner treading wears away, your vehicle’s ability to brake becomes less effective particularly in wet conditions.
Can Inner Tire Wear Happen In Normal Circumstances?
It is technically possible due to rough terrain but it would only really happen to vehicles that are constantly driving on these kinds of terrain. Realistically, the real reason will be one of the causes we highlighted earlier.
How to fix inner tire wear?
It’s perhaps incorrect to say you can fix inner tire wear because the wearing process itself cannot be reversed. However, there are things you can do to prevent and protect your tires from inner tire wear.
1) Get your wheels aligned
The first thing you can do is get an alignment for your wheels. This involves having your tires adjusted so that they are parallel with one another when viewed from the front or rear of the car. This should be done every 5000 miles or once per year.
The reason this is important is because misaligned wheels can lead to issues like a poor camber angle, damaged suspension components and incorrect toe settings.
2) Properly inflate your tires
Another important step in preventing inner tire wear is to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. You should always check the pressure of your tires regularly, and if they are not at the correct level you should inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
This will ensure that your tires can distribute weight evenly across the entire surface area, which will in turn help to prevent inner tire wear.
3) Balance your tires
Having your tires balanced is important for a number of reasons. It helps to ensure that the weight of the car is evenly distributed across each tire, which helps to reduce inner tire wear and extends the life of your tires.
4) Get new tires
Finally, if your tires are simply too far gone, then it’s best to just start from scratch and get yourself a new set of tires. You don’t want to risk driving on worn or bald tires as it can lead to dangerous situations like being unable to properly steer or brake.
If you need help finding the best tires, then check out some of our guides.
Summary
Inner tire wear is caused by a number of factors, including misaligned wheels, improper tire inflation and unbalanced tires.
To prevent inner tire wear, it’s important to make sure that your suspension components are working correctly, your tires are properly inflated and balanced, and that you get regular alignments for your wheels. If you notice any signs of inner tire wear or if your tires are simply too far worn down, then it’s best to get a new set of tires.