Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • News
    • OPINION
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • Humanitarian Award
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • Best Places to Work
    • Mid-Year Report 2022
    • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
  • Aligning with ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
June 12, 1995 02:00 AM

INCORRECT TORE CAUSES TIRE WEAR: TOE KEEPS TIRES ROLLING PARALLEL WHILE IN MOTION

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Toe is the difference in distance between the front and rear edges of the front tires. Toe helps stabilize steering and minimize tire scuffing by ensuring that the tires roll parallel to each other. Incorrect toe is a common cause of tire wear.

    Toe-in

    Toe-in means the front of the tires are closer together, toe-out means the front of the tires are spread apart.

    In other words, tires that appear pigeon-toed are toed in, tires that look duck-footed are toed out.

    Setting static toe-adjusting it with the vehicle stationary-compensates for minute amounts of normal clearance in the steering linkage or steering system. Plus, it compensates for the natural tendency of the front wheels to toe in on a front-drive vehicle and toe out on a rear-drive vehicle.

    Once again, toe helps the tires roll as parallel as practically possible when the vehicle's in motion.

    Toe is usually specified in inches but may be called out in degrees.

    Most manufacturers call for zero to as much as 1/8-inch (0 to 1/8-inch) toe out on front-drive vehicles. Rear-drive vehicles usually have about 1/8-inch toe in.

    Individual toe is the toe of each tire compared to the vehicle centerline. Total toe, the sum of each tire's individual toe, is the value shown in wheel alignment specification books.

    So, a toe specification of 1/8-inch actually means 1/16-inch at each tire.

    When a technician doesn't do wheel alignments often, it's not uncommon for him to confuse total toe with individual wheel toe.

    Among the three major alignment angles-camber, caster and toe-toe is always checked and adjusted last.

    Excessive toe

    Too much toe causes severe tire scuffing and may create a sawtooth or feather-edge wear pattern across the tire.

    Note that unlike front toe, rear toe causes a telltale diagonal wiping or scalloping effect. For additional details on rear toe and camber, refer to Parts & Labor, Feb. 11, 1991, and March 7, 1994.

    Excessive toe out, which causes wander, may be accompanied by a feeling of sloppy, imprecise or unstable steering.

    Steering linkage

    The most common cause of toe-related tire wear is excessive clearance in the steering linkage or steering system. This includes a worn or loose steering box, worn pitman arm, worn steering link or worn tie rods on a traditional steering system.

    The technician should always check toe after replacing a steering box or pitman arm because you can't assume the replacement part(s) will be in precisely the same location as the original ones.

    Rack-and-pinion steering

    On a vehicle with rack-and-pinion steering, a loosely mounted rack assembly, sloppy rack mounting bushings, or worn tie rods create toe trouble. Severe wear on the rack or

    pinion teeth themselves could also alter toe.

    Always follow the aligner maker's recommendations for adjusting toe so the steering wheel spokes are

    ``level'' (steering wheel position indicates straight ahead when the

    wheels are pointed straight) after the final toe adjustment.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Michelin to end tire production in Russia, transfer operations
    2
    Updated: Tire makers react to war in Ukraine
    3
    Nokian reverses course, begins 'controlled exit' from Russia
    4
    Double Coin balances commercial supply, demand
    5
    Toyo North America names pair to executive positions
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • Humanitarian Award
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • Best Places to Work
      • Mid-Year Report 2022
      • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
    • Aligning with ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION