I have a 3.5 lift and 33” Calvary mud tires on my 97 xj and recently my brakes and steering lost traction I guess and caused a car accident. The tires wear severely on the inside fronts and I’ve rotated them so about 1/3 of the inside is totally bear. I’ve been driving the car for a while and used to driving it in the weather but I’ve never lost control like that fully. The car will drift, skid, fishtail and wobble but this time my brakes did nothing and neither did steering. Was only going about 30 and the roads were wet. Going straight, no turns.

how can I prevent losing control?
what caused it to lose traction this time but not other times?
how can I prevent my tires from wearing on the insides like this?

 

Well first off stop driving until you solve this issue! You got lucky this time but the next time you might not.

Anyway I'd begin by getting your vehicle on Jack stands and removing the front tires.

Your best bet on easily finding the issue(s) is by grabbing the steering components and trying to shake them as hard as you can. Dont worry you wont brake it. But if something is loose then that part needs to be fixed.

That will help with diagnosing your steering issues.

Now regarding the fishtail/skidding that in my opinion that is a combination of a bad steering components as well as using the wrong tires. You go down the road, hit a bump at just the right angle, death wobble starts, mud tires lose the little traction they already have in comparison to road /all terrain tires. Thus you have an even more exaggerated death wobble.

And about that odd wear pattern on your tires check out this link
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tir...-inside-86697/

Hope this helps!

 

Inside tire wear is typically caused by excessive toe out.

If the tires are bald, they should not be used.

Buy new tires and get an alighnment from a reputable 4x4 shop. If there are actual problems with front end or steering components the mechanic will be able to give a proper diagnosis. Do not go to some chain shop that advertises $50 alignments.

EDIT
Welcome to the forum

 

Get an alignment

 

Alignment then new tires!

 

alignment.

if your tires are relatively in decent shape, just the insides of fronts are worn. get your alignment done and swap your rears up front and put your worn on the rear, as long as the rest of the tread is good, till you can buy new tires. i know they are not cheap.

 

First off, hope you are ok from the accident.

Second, how bad was the accident? If the truck took a beating, it may just be totaled.

You could have lost traction due to excessive wear and even just a little oil or slick spot on the road.

If the truck is fixable, it will need an alignment, and maybe even more. Do not get new tires before doing an alignment.