Irregular wear on tires?

2023 FORD BRONCO
13,000 MILES • 2.7L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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WERDANN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a custom Ford Bronco, 38x15.5 tires with a 5 inch lift. It currently has 13k miles on it. Within the last 2-3k miles I have noticed the front driver side tire has uneven wear- the inside of the tire is bald while the outside of the tire has full tread. The metal thread is showing on the inside of the tire. The dealer says this is an alignment issue, which falls under wear and tear, and I’ll have to pay for it. Is this possible given the low mileage, and that the wear issue is only the one tire?
Sep 2, 2025 at 10:42 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

It does sound like it is an alignment issue. Is the lift kit from the dealership/manufacturer? If it is something you added, it will be difficult to fight the battle. However, if this is how it was purchased, I would fight it. If the dealership lifted the vehicle, the alignment needed to be adjusted simply because of the lift. If they failed to do that, I would go after them.

When you change the vehicle's height (5"), that changes all the alignment angles and realignment is required.

Let me know. Also, make sure you don't have a faulty tie rod or ball joint.

Joe
Sep 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
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