Uneven wear on one tire

[scariola]

OK. Let me describe my vehicle first.

I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4x4. It is the inline 6 engine, manual transmission, about 170,000 miles.

So I had been given this car a few months back by my father and was informed that the tires are new. About a week ago I noticed the Passenger Side front tire is wearing on the outside edge much faster then any other tire. I also should mention that the steering will pull to the right when I am driving straight and level.

I was thinking it was time for a tire rotation.

The place where my dad bought the tires says the wear is due to an alignment issue.

I got a second opinion from the dealer, which said the toes are the only part that can be adjusted to the tire to how it sits, but there wouldn't be any reason for the outer edge of the tire going bald.

The dealer said I should call a frame shop, to see if the frame is bent. They had a few shops they work with but all of them want 250.00usd to just look at it. Not even saying if there is something wrong with it.

What can I do? I am learning this vehicle slowly, replaced vacuum lines, CCV, and PCV valves harnesses and other things. I just have no clue as to the passenger side front tire pulling right and wearing out the edge of the outside tire tread.

I have conflicting solutions to this problem.
Dealer says one thing(frame bent), tire shop says another(alignment).

Also tires are stock, tire pressure is 30 in all tires.

 

[xj88superjeep]

Did the shop TEST the alignment and show you a data sheet of the specs? Dealer was right, toe is the only adjustment. Still, one of the shops should have given you a real diagnoses. Shops suck these days!

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

If the Jeep has never been in an accident, I doubt the frame would be bent.

My money is on a toe alignment issue.

 

[scariola]

I had yet to have the alignment tested, due to the fact of varying prices for the alignment. 40 here, 60 another, 80 at one.The tire place said they could tell that the alignment was off by just looking at the tire wear.

So I should have them test the alignment to see if everything checks out first?

Then come back for more info?

Im not RICH by any means, that is why I'm so skeptical about having hundreds of dollars thrown at my tire problem, in which they say I have to go somewhere else to fix something(like the dealer saying my frame might be bent. I want this solved right, the first time, with no BS. Dealer parts I bought a few weeks ago failed, and I have had to go back so they can replace them with parts that wont fail. So you see my skepticism??

 

[Wilbur]

I'd start with an alignment, they usually cost anywhere from 30 to 60 bucks. Rotate the tires before the alignment, the rear tires should track straighter than the more worn front tires. Sometimes the way the tires wear when the alignment is off will cause the vehicle to pull one way even after the alignment is corrected.

Next time you buy new tires it never hurts to try an negotiate a free or discounted alignment out of the deal, most shops will help you out that way if your spending money on tires with them, plus its always nice to have new tires and know your not ruining them with alignment issues.

I vote alignment

 

[tbburg]

You also might want to look at your ball joints on that side(or all of them.) Play in the upper or lower joint would allow the tire to heel over when you go around a corner. At 170K, new ball joints are not out of the question.

 

[cherokee chuck]

an alignment is way simple on your xj.with the wheels pointing straight ahead the tires should be 1/8" closer together at the front measured from the center of the tread. this is your toe in. you adjust it by loosening the clamps at each end of the tie rod[the longer of the rods,the one that connects the wheels to each other] and turn it untill you have to correct measurement. then with the wheels still pointing straight you loosen the clamp on the rod that connects the steering gear to the passenger side [the drag link],leave the key on to unlock the steering wheel & adjust the drag link untill the steering wheel is centered. If you are going to do any serious wheeling you should learn to do this yourself. It sounds more like ball joints or a bad tie rod end though. straight axle misalingment usually causes both tires to wear unevenly unlike ifs where the wheels are adjusted seperately.When you are done be sure to tighten every thing back up.:lecture:

 

[TunaSoda]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned shot bearings as another possibility, my bearings are bad enough where the shop won't do an alignment till I get the hubs replaced. could be the cause?

 

[old_man]

Just for the record, caster is adjustable. I wouldn't rule out a ball joint.

 

[FlexdXJ]

You also might want to look at your ball joints on that side(or all of them.) Play in the upper or lower joint would allow the tire to heel over when you go around a corner. At 170K, new ball joints are not out of the question.

THANK YOU!!! can't believe that wasn't mentioned earlier