1 tire BADLY worn by broken balljoint - would U...

[Ramblin Fever]

rotate it or leave it and just let that tire continue to wear out?

Vehicle is a ford ranger 4x4, company truck, I was able to convince my company that something was wrong with the drivers front wheel; turns out it was a broken ball joint, worn out wheel bearing, etc.

Truck has since been fixed, however, even though the tires have been rotated every 5k miles and have maybe a total of 20k miles on them; the entire inside tread of the drivers tire is worn out.

There's still plenty of center and outside tread, so the company won't agree to replacing the tire, would you rotate it to the back, perhaps on the opposite side, or just leave it alone?

 

[flwxman]

I'd ask for a different truck and tell your fleet manager/boss to take that truck to work... and see how fast he/she decides that tire should be replaced...

For my real answer... are there cords/belts showing? I would probably just rotate as normal.

 

[PandaBear]

If any part is below 2/32, I'd ask the boss to pay for 2 new tires on the axles. If more than that is left, just drive till it is averaged out later.

 

[Radman]

I would stop a cop and ask him to issue a ticket to the cheapskate company for a worn tire. Then they would have to replace it.

 

[berniedd]

If the company won't budge,and the vehicle has a full size spare tire, make it the spare tire instead.

 

[flwxman]

That's an interesting idea... can you post a picture for s's and g's?

 

[Kuato]

Yeah....use the spare. Or the bad tire can have a tread penetration in the weak area by a foreign object while away from the shop.

 

[440Magnum]

Do you have vehicle safety inspections in your state? I can't tell without pictures, but here in TX it sounds like that tire might not pass inspection. I don't know exactly how the current law is worded, but it used to be that if the tread-wear indicator bars were visible in 2 adjacent treads, then the tire had to be replaced even if all the other treads were good-as-new.

IMO, an asymmetrically worn tire like that is a very real safety issue- its going to affect handling and its going to be more likely to have a tread separation in the worn area. To wear it that fast took a lot of friction, so the tire was no doubt running hotter than normal... depending on your climate, that may or may not be an issue. If its a hot area, I'd be worried about weakening and de-lamination deeper inside the tire under the worn area.

If the company won't budge and you don't want to risk being labeled a "troublemaker," then I agree with others- just run the spare. And start looking for a better company to work for... :-/

 

[willix]

The DRIVER is responsible for for safe operation of the vehicle.

If the driver knowingly operates a vehicle with safety defects that DRIVER is liable damages caused by unsafe operation.

That DRIVER would be scrutinized to a higher standard if this vehicle is being operated commercially.

Hwy. safety inspectors have the ability and exercise regularly taking vehilces out of service on the spot.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: Radman
I would stop a cop and ask him to issue a ticket to the cheapskate company for a worn tire. Then they would have to replace it.


+1
Or even a warning ticket.
You don't want to be labeled a trouble maker.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Yeah....use the spare. Or the bad tire can have a tread penetration in the weak area by a foreign object while away from the shop.


+1

 

[Kuato]

So...how about an update? What eventually happened.....

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Nothing's happened so far.

I haven't spoke to the company about the tire issue....I already know from past experiences, they're not going to replace the tire until the entire tread width is down to 2/32.

That's why I'm asking if it's worth rotating or just leaving it alone.

The spare tire on this truck is in far worse shape then the tire that's going bald, and it's a half size smaller, so it wouldn't be a good idea either.

Problem is, a lot of these companies are barely surviving anymore, and are pinching pennies; I'm thankful to have a job so I'm not going to push this issue.

I can't just ask for another company truck, as this IS one of the nicer vehicles I've been assigned too, and if I did that, I'd for sure be out the door as they pulled strings to bring this truck from Wyoming for me to drive.

Our state does not have safety inspections, cops around here don't even look twice at the tires on a vehicle, all they care about is whether both headlights are working!

I figured i've got about another 3-4mnths of use on this tire, as I drive about 2k miles a month on this truck...I just didn't know if rotating it would make it last longer, or if it's already too late.

I'll try and get a pic tomorrow and post it up.

 

[bdcardinal]

put it on the back and try to do burnouts until there is no tread left

 

[Kuato]

Well if it were my truck, it would develop a hole in the worn area one day, while I was driving down a rough or dirt road. A hole the same size as one of my screwdrivers. Then I'd limp back to work on the old spare and get a new tire put on.