ASE A4 Suspension and SteeringWheels and Tires Diagnosis and RepairMedium
A technician is performing a pre-purchase inspection on a vehicle. They observe that the inner shoulder of both front tires shows significantly more wear than the outer shoulder. This condition is indicative of:
- AExcessive toe-out
- BNegative camber
- CPositive camber
- DExcessive toe-in
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Negative camber
Negative camber means the top of the tire is tilted inward towards the vehicle's center. This puts more pressure on the inner edge of the tire, leading to accelerated wear on the inner shoulder.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Excessive toe-out causes feathering across the tread and can accelerate wear on both outer shoulders or a combination of inner/outer if unequal.
- C. Positive camber would cause wear on the outer shoulder of the tire.
- D. Excessive toe-in causes feathering across the tread and can accelerate wear on both inner shoulders, but camber specifically impacts one edge.
Negative Camber Wear
Negative camber occurs when the top of the tire leans inward, causing increased pressure and wear on the inner shoulder of the tire.
- Top of tire leans inward (negative angle)
- Increased load on inner edge of tire
- Results in accelerated wear on the inner shoulder
- Can affect handling and stability
Memory trick: Negative camber wears the inside like a sad face, positive camber wears the outside like a happy face.