Monroe's Technical Support will help you find
answers to the most frequently asked product and installation questions
and provide invaluable technical training information. If you need
additional information or assistance, Monroe's Ride Control Technical
Assistance Team can assist you.
TIRE WEAR
WORN SHOCKS AND BRAKES CAN WEAR DOWN YOUR TIRES Be aware of wear indicators and their possible causes:
Tires should wear evenly across the entire surface of the tread.
Any tire wear that deviates from the norm may indicate one of the following issues:
Improper inflation pressures
Unbalanced tire, wheel or rotor
Suspension or alignment problems
Brake problems
Tire fault, or misuse
New tires may not correct a wear pattern problem and can soon begin
to wear unevenly or prematurely if the cause of the problem is not
repaired. By using an infrared thermometer to measure uneven tire tread
temperatures, a technician may be able to identify irregular wear prior
to visual signs.
Center Wear
Center wear is typically due to over-inflation. The maximum inflation
pressure, listed on the tire, is for when the vehicle is fully loaded.
Center wear may also be caused by mounting oversized tires onto narrow
rims.
Shoulder Wear Shoulder wear is often the result of low tire pressure, overloading the vehicle, or the use of undersized tires.
Camber Wear
Camber wear results when the tire is not vertically aligned properly
with the surface of the road. Camber wear can be caused by a weak,
broken, or incorrect spring. Excessive negative camber typically results
in inside edge wear. Excessive positive camber typically results in
outside edge wear.
High-Speed Feathering
Heavy shoulder wear (typically feathered tread front to rear) can be
caused by hard driving. Inspect anti-sway bar end links and springs for
wear. A performance tire, or one with a stiffer side wall, can reduce
high speed feathering of tires.
Toe Wear
Toe wear results when the tire is not aligned parallel to the
center-line of the vehicle. Basically, the tire may point "Toe In" or
"Toe Out." Since toe can cause rapid wear, it is considered the most
important alignment angle. Excessive toe results in a "saw toothed"
pattern of wear across the tread surface.
Cupped Wear
Cupped or scalloped dips appearing around the surface of the tread
could indicate loose, worn, or sometimes bent suspension parts. Worn
shock absorbers or unbalanced tires / wheels / brake rotors can also
cause cupping, but the cupping would typically be more of a concentric
pattern.
Brake Skid / Flat Spot Wear
When a tire slides across the road surface, it will scuff away the
tread in one area. This generally happens as a result of the brakes
locking up due to brake malfunction or the driver aggressively applying
the brakes in an emergency situation. Flat spotting can also occur if
the tire sat in oil, fuel or chemicals, or if the belts of the tire have
shifted internally.
