One tire wearing more than the other 3

2004 Prius - 276,000 miles

Problem was that I hit a couple deep potholes on the front passenger tire in the past couple years or so.

One time while driving behind a local plaza, I heard a loud *Bang* from that tire area ( that was about 1-2 years ago).

Had the front struts replaced in Summer 2017.
Been driving it misaligned ever since.

Had all four tires replaced earlier this year (2019).

I first noticed slight negative camber issue with the front passenger tire last month.

Checked the tire pressure on Sunday and all other 3 tires were about 40-42 psi while that problem tire was 38 psi.

All 4 tires have plenty of tread but the problem tire has about 2/32 less tread.

Question is, what could it be and is it too difficult to tell?

 

Interesting ok
Would a bent rim cause the knocking sound at low-to-mid speeds on uneven pavements?

 

Good point, maybe I should just say Hey, I need an alignment. Then if any new problems arise, be like you guys did it lol. Just kidding, but I will mention that there is a slight negative camber (toe-out)

Earlier this year I bought a set of Pirelli Four Seasons tires from Sam's club when they had their weekend special:

Pirelli - Sam's Club

 

Ok so I have an update I took it for an alignment check and my front right LEACREE strut assembly was bent and bulged at the joint to the knuckle area. **(POSTING PHOTO)**

I definitely have negative camber on that tire.

The quote is ~$650 for:
2 new strut assemblies
2 new sway bars
3.5 hours labor

What should I do about this and the alignment?

 

He also said the space is way off between the rod there and the the back of the housing
Like 2 inches off

 

Hi guys So I have a big update(s).

1.) I contacted the reseller am-autoparts on eBay regarding my warranty. I told them what happened and they sent in a replacement, to the wrong address. I had them send a second strut to the right address.

2.) Now finally with two struts and sway bars ready to go, I travel to the mechanic. I drop everything off and I get a call the next day that everything is ready HOWEVER, he only replaced *One* strut because the struts were both for the right passenger side only. The part number is not interchangeable on either side.

3.) So I have one strut that is a little over two years old still in healthy shape on the driver's side and the passenger side is now with a brand new strut

4.) Mechanic said he wouldn't do an alignment until I get the other strut

5.) Contacted eBay seller for the other strut last night and have not heard back yet.

Results

+ The negative camber tilted tire issue is now fixed. The tire is now straight again.
+ The knocking sound over light bumps/uneven pavement is now gone.
- The steering wheel however is still misaligned. This time it is misaligned to the left instead of to the right, like it was since I had the struts replaced two years ago.

What would you do? I am thinking of using a Groupon for a $55 four-wheel alignment at Midas.


Thanks guys

 

I heard the Hunter HD Imaging machine would be the best for full 4-wheel alignments.

Just booked an appointment with Midas for $60.00 4-wheel alignment + free inspection on Groupon.

 

They are Leacree. You can see the first half of the logo on the bent strut in the photo.

Yep that is what did it. It was a real loud bang last summer in 2018. Mustve have been bent for well over a year.

Yep I am done with these eBay sellers who have no phone number and have strange warranty. Although they do pull through with them as far as shipping.

UPDATE: I got the alignment today and it finally seems to drive mostly normal. It is not perfect but drives normal. Here is the report and there is something that irks me the wrong way:




So my toe was causing the misalignment, but the Hunter tech at Midas barely touched my Camber. The right rear only went down by .1 just bringing it out of the red.

Did they give me a half-a** alignment?