What Causes Inside Tire Wear on a 1996 Cavalier?

Your tires tell the story.

Accelerated inside tire wear on a 1996 Cavalier is an indication of too much camber in the front suspension, causing wheels to tilt inward and increasing wear on the inside of the tire. Camber is the vertical angle of the tire.

Worn Control Arm Bushings

The front control arm is attached to the chassis by bushings. It allows for suspension movement by controlling the motion of the wheels in relation to the car's chassis. When the control arm bushings deteriorate, they affect the camber angle of the tire and result in inside tire wear.

Loose Ball Joints

Ball joints connect the steering knuckles to the control arms. Loose or worn ball joints can cause the front wheels to lean inwards toward the engine and produce accelerated inside tire wear.

Weak or Broken Spring

A weak or broken suspension spring can change the camber angle of the wheel and increase inside tire wear.

Bent Strut or Dislocated Strut Tower

Inside tire wear may result from a bent strut or a strut tower that is out of its normal position due to collision damage, body sag or corrosion. A strut is a suspension component similar to a shock absorber, but with additional functionality.

References

• How to Read Tire Wear
• Tire Wear