I just got my hands on a 95 Pathfinder. The front tires have a lot of wear on the inside edges. I was told by seller that this is caused by driving on pavement in 4WD. As this is my first 4x4, I wasn't sure whether to believe him. Is that likely, or am I looking at doing an alignment?

If it is only wearing on the inside edge your wheel alignment is wrong. The most common cause is the tyre is 'toe out'. The tyre isn't pointing straight ahead like the one on the other side. It is sticking out at the front edge.
Take the car to a good tyre and suspension specialist and get your 'tracking' and 'alignment' checked. They should check your track rod ends and suspension mounts as well.

1. What brand and model of tire was fitted?

2. Please describe the wear pattern on the front tires in more detail. For example is the excessive tread wear.....
A. Right across the face of the tread on each tire or
B. On the outside edges of the tread on each tire or
C. on the inside edges of the tread on each tire or
D. on both sides of the tread but not on the center section of the tread on both tires.
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B is normally caused by incorrect toe setting - toe in
C is also normally caused by incorrect toe setting - toe out
D is normally caused by tire pressure set way too low.

Faulty steering and suspension components can also cause abnormal tire wear for any component that affects the wheel alignment settings.
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If you can provide a better description of the tire wear on each front tire you will get a better answer.

Under inflation. When the tire doesn't have enough air pressure, the center tends to be pushed up from the road. Thus causing outer wear on both sides. alignment problems cause wear on one side or the other. Over inflation causes the center of the tire to wear .

could be ball joints. these would cause the tires to unevenly wear.

Strange.
Has anyone checked the front end alignment on a rack ?
Usually when the tires wear on the inside edges the camber is off and the tires are running on the inside edge more than the outside.
Or the front suspension is too low or heavy.

Don't Believe HIM this is INDICATIVE of INCORRECT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT of Witch IS IN FACT an ALIGHNMENT Issue, A CONTRIBUTER can be BALL JOINT FAILURE so be Ready for FRONT END PARTS REPLACMENT upon Getting it Alighned as these Parts Being BAD will Make it IMPOSSIBLE to Correctly Have a ALIGHNMENT Done.

hi there it good u haveing 32 psi but i will suggest u to have a wheel aligment done the way u saying the tyre wears are i thinks really need are wheel aligment .wheel balance do help are lot but doing wheel aligment every 20.000ks do makes diffent on the no of ks the tyres do .hope that helps pliz do send the rating thanks

Unless there is noise or play when cornering sharply at low speeds (parking), the CV joint / boot is still ok. The joint does need grease in there and the rubber boot fitted properly very soon.

As the suspension is set, the axle does little more than provide drive. It doesn't affect toe-in or camber angle.

Camber angle (vertical tilt inwards) is a product of the suspension design, and often cannot be altered.

Weak front springs can also throw this angle out, as the vehicle sits too low.

Toe-in (forward point angle) can and must be set accurately, or you will skid about in wet weather depending which tyre grips more.

What is most important to you, is the tyre design, tread width and outer radius. Also the tyre pressures MUST be mid limit when cold on the front - otherwise excess wear will result.

Having tyres with a large contact area that are too rigid on the front will increase wear to the insides.

Also, it is good practice to rotate the tyres to even-out wear. Usually front tyres move to rear axle, and rears swap sides to front axle. If wear is uneven, pop them off and turn around before refitting. Some tyres you cannot do this with.

If you choose a tyre with a harder tread compound, or ones with "C" at the end of the code, these will again last a lot longer.

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