Tire Experts - What's going on with this tire?

[VR4Rob]

Just a random thread for today. A friend/coworker of mine had these Toyos on his Mazda 3 for about 15K miles when he had a blowout. He took the car into the tire shop and lo and behold 3 of the 4 tires look like this.

What's going on here? My first thought is that the tread is separating from the sidewall. I could easily poke through the rubber between the two with a very small pocket knife. The tire shop is trying to get these replaced/refunded by Toyo under warranty.

[lawdogg]

I am by no means a tire expert, but isn't that an indication of negative camber and under-inflation?

[DocWalt]

Wow... I've never seen wear that sharp on a tire unless the tire failed or unless it was rubbing something.

[MeTarzan]

Definatly looks like its rubbing on something that is way to sharp and isolated of an area to be camber issue

[VR4Rob]

I thought bad alignment and/or incorrect pressure until I inspected the tire myself. I tried to show in the first picture that the wear on the tread is pretty much all even. I also doubt that it's a rubbing issue because it did this to 3 of the 4 tires on the car (completely stock car also)

[Alan92RTTT]

Is that the inner or outer edge?

If its the inner edge, Could it be making contact with the strut?

[VR4Rob]

Is that the inner or outer edge?

If its the inner edge, Could it be making contact with the strut?

From what I know it's the inner edge of the tire. Again, 3 of the 4 tires from the car did this. I would almost say it's impossible that the tire is rubbing on the strut because the car is a bone stock, original suspension Mazda 3.

[DrGonzo]

Definatly looks like its rubbing on something that is way to sharp and isolated of an area to be camber issue

Agreed, looks to be hitting the strut perch or something. The angle is just not right for a camber issue unless is hella or something ridiculous.

[Chris GTO TT]

Is it the stock wheels and tire size? Because it is most definitely rubbing on something.

[slage]

it could maybe be an alignment issue. looks like that half of the tire is also worn down A LOT more than the other side.