Tire Feathering
A tire wear pattern where tread blocks develop one smooth edge and one sharp edge, typically caused by incorrect toe.
Tire feathering is a progressive tire wear pattern where the individual tread blocks develop a ramped profile—smooth on one edge and sharp or raised on the opposite edge. This can be felt by running your hand across the tread from the inside to the outside; it will feel smooth in one direction and rough or catching in the other.
Feathering is almost always caused by incorrect toe alignment (toe-in or toe-out). If the wheels are pointing inward or outward too far, the tire is forced to slide sideways slightly as it rolls forward, scrubbing the tread blocks across the pavement and scraping the rubber into a feathered edge. Worn tie rod ends are a common mechanical cause of shifting toe angles.
Symptoms of tire feathering include a high-pitched tire noise at highway speeds and a slight pull in the steering wheel. If feathering is detected during an inspection, the steering linkages must be checked for play, and the vehicle must be put on an alignment machine to adjust the toe back to factory specifications. Replacing worn tie rod ends before aligning is critical to ensure the adjustment holds.