When customers come into your shop with uneven tire wear, they may point to the tire itself as the cause of their problems. In reality, the issue often begins underneath the vehicle. Springs, shocks, struts, and bushings all affect how the tire meets the road. When these components start to fail, tire tread often reveals the first signs.
The Impact on Tire Health
The condition of the springs directly influences tire wear. Each time a spring compresses and rebounds, it loses a small amount of life. It’s not just about how far the spring moves—it’s about how many times it cycles. Over years of use, fatigue sets in, ride height drops, and even small changes in height can throw off alignment angles. This misalignment accelerates tread wear.
Shocks and struts also play a major role in controlling tread life. Over time, seals wear, allowing the gas charge to escape and oil to foam. When that happens, dampers overheat and fade, losing their ability to manage suspension movement. Without that control, the tire’s contact patch suffers, creating abnormal wear patterns.
Suspension bushings absorb compliance in modern vehicles, especially with larger wheels and low-profile tires. Some bushings even use fluid-filled chambers that adjust stiffness under braking or cornering. When bushings wear or leak, the control arm pickup points shift under load. That shift can quickly cause uneven tread wear—even when alignment readings appear to be in spec.
How to Handle Uneven Tire Wear in The Shop
If a customer brings in a vehicle with uneven tire wear, start with a simple ride height check. Then, examine shocks and bushings during a tire service appointment. These inspections can prevent comebacks while giving you a natural opportunity to educate customers about how suspension health affects tire life.
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The post Undercar Issues That Lead to Unexpected Tire Wear appeared first on Tire Review Magazine.
