Tire wear problems?

Tiny
WARREN1814
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 4.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167,000 MILES
Hello guys, it's just me Warren1814 etc, I took my van in to get some new brake pads put on it and the guy at the tire place showed me one of my tires. And boy was I shocked to see it too. All the rest of my tires look great but not this one. What is causing my tire to wear like this? It is the driver's side front tire. And would this be the reason why the ABS light keeps coming on too? Sorry for the picture looking that way. If you turn, tilt your head to your left, that is how it is on the van. The bad thread is closes to the van etc.
Saturday, March 30th, 2024 AT 12:24 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
That tire looks like it is coming apart internally, but it could be caused by a bad wheel bearing hub which can cause the ABS light to come on as well. Here is how to check it out and if it looks okay, I would do a wheel alignment:

1. Raise the vehicle until the front tires are off the floor.
Make sure the wheels are in a straight forward position.

WARNING: The electrical power to the air suspension system must be shut off prior to hoisting, jacking or towing an air suspension vehicle. This can be accomplished by turning off the air suspension switch. Failure to do so can result in unexpected inflation or deflation of the air springs, which can result in shifting of the vehicle during these operations.

2. Spin the tire by hand to cheek the wheel bearings for roughness.

NOTE: Make sure the wheel rotates freely and that the brake pads are retraced sufficiently to allow free movement of the tire and wheel assembly.

3. Grip each front tire at the top and bottom and move the wheel inward and outward while lifting the weight of the tire off the front wheel bearing.

4. If the tire and wheel (hub) is loose on the spindle, does not rotate freely, or has a rough feeling when spun, carry out one of the following:
On vehicles with inner and outer bearings, inspect the bearings and cups for wear or damage. Adjust or install new bearings and cups as necessary.
On vehicles with one sealed bearing, install a new wheel hub. Refer to the service procedures.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Saturday, March 30th, 2024 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Hello there Ken L, and okay, I will let you guys know. And just think I just bought that tire just 2 or 3 years ago too. But, okay, I will keep you guys posted. Hopefully a wheel alignment or a wheel bearing hub won't cost me too much. :-)
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Saturday, March 30th, 2024 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sounds good, let me know what you find, have a good week.
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Sunday, March 31st, 2024 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Hope you had a good week too. :-D Okay, Ken, I had my van's wheel alignment done today at the cost of $109.00. But it didn't stop the ABS light from coming on. In fact it stays on all the time now. Etc Here is a picture of the balance they showed me on what they did. You may have to zoom in on the image to see a good view of it etc. Also, I ended up replacing the front shocks / struts, what ever you call them. Well how long will it take before it's considered the bad tire wear to go away? I plan on buying a new tire next week or so, If not sooner. I got it done at Midas. The only reason why I had it done there is because they said they had some type of warranty so that is what I based my decision on etc.
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Friday, April 12th, 2024 AT 9:36 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, the alignment was way off so that should take care of the problem, please start a new thread for the ABS light.
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Saturday, April 13th, 2024 AT 11:52 AM
Tiny
WARREN1814
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Oh, oh okay. About the ABS light. The guy a the shop tried to do the alignment but then he notice that my shock on the driver's side front was totally gone. He said I would have to get some new shocks / struts. Other wise the alignment would never work. So I did. I just wanted it fixed (tire wear problem that is). If I would have done just the alignment would have just cost me $109.99 but with the new struts / shocks it ended up costing me $585.00 But I do have a question though. Going by the picture I posted, Aren't the numbers still off a little bit though? Aren't both sides suppose to match?
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Saturday, April 13th, 2024 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Good catch, .8 is too much camber, max is.5 Here are the specs. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens. Have you got defective replacement bearing hubs?
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Monday, April 15th, 2024 AT 9:11 AM
Tiny
WARREN1814
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Okay, I will / did. No, at that time I asked the guy who fixed my back right axle about my wheel bearings and they said that my bearing was fine. The first question he asked me was. Does your vehicle make any sound while you're driving along and I said no. Then he asked me does it pull to either side left or right while driving and I said no. Then he said your bearings are fine. At least that's what he asked me.
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Friday, November 1st, 2024 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You can't tell by that and be 100% accurate, please go over this guide which can help you see what I am talking about.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/7-common-symptoms-of-a-bad-automotive-bearing-hub

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Friday, November 1st, 2024 AT 11:35 AM

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