GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

Was about to get in the car to return home when I happened to look down at my wheel and noticed this:




I have not hit the curb/etc ... so I don't know what could have caused this.

Was thinking about calling tire rack, but wanted to check with you guys to see if its really a big problem or not.

Thanks

nmpeter

iTrader: (15)

I have big *** bubbles in one of my PS2s and a bunch of small ones on my other. The place I got them mounted at told me that they aren't safe to drive with and they may rip off at any given time. Yours don't look too bad. Did you go over a pothole recently?

2slow

iTrader: (5)

Did you hit any potholes, or dips? The metal inside the sidewall is gone. You should get it checked asap!

06isDriver

its bout time for new tires anyway judging from your tread

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

Yeah ... I did hit a pothole yesterday - in the middle of the freeway By the time I saw it it was too late to change lanes, too many cars around me. Glad to know mine is not too bad.... but is it still safe to drive on? (I do see metal braided things if I look into the hole.... )

Would this stuff be covered under warranty?

As for my tread, its actually very good.... its just the angle.

Bichon

Potholes are by far the most frequent cause of sidewall bubbles. The lower the aspect ratio of the tire, the easier it is to cause this type of damage. It's a dangerous condition - replace the tire before you have a blowout.

It would be covered by optional road hazard protection (if you bought it), not by the warranty.

92 SC400

Yeah, I wouldn't mess around with that especially if there is an actual puncture.

trixxx519

iTrader: (14)

i think i should check my tires O.O
a lot of potholes in the nyc area and i went over acouple today, but avoided a lot lol

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

I agree...

I had a tire bubble pop at a gas station.. after an 1hr fwy drive... (on my IS300).

It could have easily popped during the drive.



Joe Z

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

Just wondering... How long did you drive with the bubble before it popped?

The earliest I can go get this replaced is around April 1st....

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

I would get it replaced prior to that...

I have seen people go for months like that... at the same time, I have had customers that have had amazing blowouts with that same type of damage...

there is no metal in the sidewall...

what has happened is that the cords that run radially out from the wheel have been broken... the cords are made out of the same thing clothing is, typically polyester or nylon... probably only a few right now... but what happens is that puts stress on the cords near to them, and eventually we have a failure that we nicknamed the zipper failure... essentially its like a zipper opening up radiating out from that bubble... it can be dramatic, or it can just open up and fail... neither way do you want to be driving when such failure occurs...

do you see that clean, shiny part of the wheel right where the bubble is... that is clean because the tire was pinched up against it when you hit a pothole or similar...

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

Thanks, guess ill be driving the back-up car for a few weeks.

Now for replacing the tire, It should be fine replacing just that one, right? Would it be a problem if the drivers front has a new tire while the passenger front has an semi-new tire? (The tires are 7 months old at the moment - roughly 5k on the tires - pic of tread above)....

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

as good as the remaining tread is on those tires, you will be fine...

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

update:

Turns out I have no school the rest of the week due to furlough days (Damn CA budget cuts ) so I have the new tire ordered off tire rack and is going to be installed tomorrow!

Thanks again for all the help guys!