Uneven Tire Wear (Alignment Needed?)

[MaizeNBlue98]

I apologize if this has been covered, but could not find anything via search. I have a 2018 Yukon Denali (22" OEM Bridgestone tires). I have 25K miles with tires rotated right around 12K miles. In inspecting my tires, I have noticed uneven wear on very outside tread of my front driver side tire. I took it to the dealership and they said they didn't see any issue that would cause this. Tech said this is "common" with the Bridgestones, but then suggested I pay for a 4 wheel alignment just as part of regularly schedule maintenance.

Seemed odd they didn't think anything was wrong and causing the uneven tire wear, but then suggested as a precautionary measure (due to miles NOT due to the tire wear) that I get an alignment. Happy to pay for the alignment if it's part of the problem or "good maintenance practice".

So two questions if this forum could help me out:

1. What could be causing this uneven tire wear?
2. Regardless of the tire wear cause, is there a need to have a 4 wheel alignment as part of a regular 25K mile maintenance program.

As always you guys are great and thanks in advance

 

[Big Mama]

Sounds like the dealer wants to sell new tires. Go to a different shop and see. I’m no help on 4 wheel alignment. Sorry.

 

[Jason in DLH]

How’s the inside tire tread look like? The same as the outside? If so, then they’ve been under inflated.

The camber might be too positive and they would need to adjust that to a neutral camber.

 

[Jason in DLH]

 

[Doubeleive]

a visual inspection may not show any worn components, but a wheel alignment may be needed regardless

 

[MaizeNBlue98]

View attachment 264316

From the picture it definitely looks like I have positive camber on the front. The passenger side has similar wear, but much less significant. Is there a reason this would come out of alignment with just 25K on the odo? Or could it have just been bad from the factory and I'm really just noticing it?

Either way, looks like an alignment is needed. Is there something I should have them look at to see if there is a part causing this? Or just align the front rotate the tires and keep a closer eye on the wear pattern?

Thanks!

 

[Jason in DLH]

I personally don’t think you need to add a 4 wheel alignment into a scheduled service. My 160K ‘07 never had one and no sign of uneven tire wear. But...maybe someone will chime in saying otherwise.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Hit any big potholes lately? Things probably just loosened up a bit and an alignment should fix it.

 

[Doubeleive]

I think you are over analyzing it, if the alignment technician finds anything out of spec they will tell you, for instance if they cannot get the alignment within spec there could be a worn tie rod, etc, plenty of reasons to be needing a alignment like pot holes, hitting a curb, minor accident, etc

 

[Doubeleive]

and a alignment is cheaper than 4 new tires.....

 

[Jason in DLH]

I don’t recommend going this far negative with the camber....

Haha! Crazy!

 

[MaizeNBlue98]

I think you are over analyzing it, if the alignment technician finds anything out of spec they will tell you, for instance if they cannot get the alignment within spec there could be a worn tie rod, etc, plenty of reasons to be needing a alignment like pot holes, hitting a curb, minor accident, etc

Over analyze...LOL. I tend to do that. Appreciate the advice. Time for a alignment.

 

[Fless]

Any alignment job should give you a detailed printout of before and after results on all 4 wheels.

 

[iamdub]

How is a 4-wheel alignment performed on a vehicle with no adjustment provisions to the rear axle?

Unless that's what they're calling a thrust angle alignment.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Exactly right. I find it interesting that there’s no guarantee that both rear wheels are pointed straight ahead.

Now that I think of it there’s been times when I see a truck driving down the road and I swear it seems like it’s driving crooked. Must be because the thrust line is way off.

For anyone’s information to follow along...

 

[91RS]

You need an alignment. The alignment sags after it leaves the factory and a proper alignment (meaning all things adjusted to center-of-spec even if "green") should be performed in the first few thousand miles and then it should be checked once a year or 12k miles after that. I'd bet you have something like -0.7 to -1.0 degrees of camber and the toe is out. Also, 12k miles is far too long on a rotation, it should be done every 5-6k miles tops. The Bridgestones are bad about wearing funny if you don't rotate enough or have a good alignment.

Sounds like the dealer wants to sell new tires. Go to a different shop and see. I’m no help on 4 wheel alignment. Sorry.

How do you figure? He said they recommended an alignment, not tires.

 

[Big Mama]

How do you figure? He said they recommended an alignment, not tires.

it’s just a matter of time.

 

[iamdub]

Exactly right. I find it interesting that there’s no guarantee that both rear wheels are pointed straight ahead.

Now that I think of it there’s been times when I see a truck driving down the road and I swear it seems like it’s driving crooked. Must be because the thrust line is way off.

For anyone’s information to follow along...
View attachment 264341

Those trucks that are "crabbing" down the road may have been heavily damaged before and the frame could be tweaked. I've seen it with cars, too.

 

[sealandsky]

I'd bet on a slight alignment issue that has manifested itself over the 25K miles on your rig. I just put on new tires at 19K miles and had the alignment checked - found right front was slightly out of toe spec.

 

[iamdub]

@MaizeNBlue98, are you a rather big guy? Although it's usually with compact cars and trucks, I've seen where larger people cycle the suspension enough to make it ride too far out of spec, and mostly on the driver side. Having the vehicle aligned with them in the driver seat resolves this.