Tire Sidewall Problem

[GCroyle]

Guys,

Doing a tire check this AM and found this on sidewall. Looks like time for new tires, aarrgh. But better spotted than blown. Any comments from the gang on what it is or cause? I don't see any scuffing around it or on the rim.

gary

 

[redbone]

looks like a knife or a razor

 

[DavidC]

There was a recent recall on certain Michelins not long ago. Do not know the details. I did have the same exact thing happen on the spare tire on the 5ver that had a tire cover on it so I do not think anyone jumped the block wall, removed the cover and slit the tire. This particular tire was a Goodyear.

Dave

 

[cerberusiam]

Looks like you ran over something that cut the surface, a little too uniform for checking. Could also be somebody playing with sharp objects.

Time for new tires anyway, you have weather checking going on there.

 

[ringneck]

man made or low life made.hope you find out which one.

 

[GCroyle]

Guys,

Thought it over and its going to my tire smith tomorrow, tires have given me about all they have and I'm not even considering any tire other than the same Michelin. Just not thrilled about the expense, bad timing.

I had a comparison card made by Michelin to use to comare your sidewall checking to their good, bad or ugly chart. I don't think the weathering on these sidewalls hardly even made the chart. Chart is gone, gave it to an RV saftey training guy.

 

[mwilson]

Gary,

Is that on the front or rear???

Mike.

 

[GCroyle]

Mike,

Rear.

Not sure exactly how old the tire is. Most likely about 5 years or so. I even have my original steel wheels and tires stored in garage that if I wasn't towing once in a while still have some mileage left in them. Got a trip coming up and needs to be tow worthy. If any of that makes sense.

Gary

 

[mwilson]

Just curious.

Front tire will stand a road hazard up. rear tire will come along and hit it a very high percentage of the time. Tandem axle trailers and trucks have a much higher rate of flats / damage on the rear set of tires as a result of that phenomenon.

Useless factoid for the day.

Mike.

 

[GCroyle]

Mike,

I had that happen a few years ago on my Goldwing, flipped up a lag screw and thud right into the rear. Babied it to the town, got it plugged and on my merry way. No telling what happened yet, truck is getting 4 new LTX MS2 tomorrow, talk about sticker shock!!!!

Gary

 

[Bill Stockard]

Just curious.

Front tire will stand a road hazard up. rear tire will come along and hit it a very high percentage of the time. Tandem axle trailers and trucks have a much higher rate of flats / damage on the rear set of tires as a result of that phenomenon.

Useless factoid for the day.

Mike.

It might be a useless factoid, but it confirms what I have experienced towing tandem axle trailers over the years... more flats on the rear axle than the front.

Bill

 

[jelag]

Gary.... greeting from our winter home in AZ.... glad to see your still working... SMILE.... Please ask your tire guy when you get a chance.... I've read/heard of a product designed for tires... as a UV protector... specifically to coat the sidewall of the tire, to prevent the evaporation of the chemicals in the tire that will leave the tire in direct sun light.... But at the time of reading the article didn't write down the name brand of the product.... I don't allow the guys who wash/wax the RV to put any chemicals on the tires as I just presume that those chemicals will clean the tires as wall as hasten the removal of the chemicals to keep the sidewalls soft and playable...

 

[AnOldBiker]

..... I don't allow the guys who wash/wax the RV to put any chemicals on the tires as I just presume that those chemicals will clean the tires as wall as hasten the removal of the chemicals to keep the sidewalls soft and playable...

Jim, I started using tire products that contain high levels of silicon years ago, and after each cleaning coat the tires. (Even do the backside when I can) Since then I have yet to have any issues with checking of the side walls. When I was working, I was able to get pure silicon and that seemed to be the best. It kept the rubber clean, soft and some what supple. But like I said, never had sidewall checking.


The sidewall picture looks like it was done with a sharp object, knife or such, but the top end of the cut looks strange for a knife or razor blade, don't it ? Seems like it should be a cleaner end cut ?

 

[GCroyle]

You guys keeping your sidewalls supple and such, jeeezzzh!

Sorry, had to do that.

No, just some car soap no tire shine 'em up used so far but after seeing the $$$ for the next set of tires, might take them off at night and put them in the house and tuck 'em in.

I might get a "pros" .02$ tomorrow but even with the tire in hand, bet it might be a stretch to get a yup, it was the Colonel in the library with the lead pipe conclusion. Guess its just my day to moan a little bit, still working helping keep Jim happy and voulnteering still I hope. Hey Jim, how about a day with Habitat for Humanity the next time you think one of MY dollars hit yor direct deposit find me if you can account, OK!

 

[jelag]

AnOldBiker.... I agree, it does look like a cut.... like some kid did it with a dull knife.... years ago.... I mean years ago we had to cut tires after we adjusted them.... across the serial # so that no one would pick it up and try to get it adjusted again... the cut mark looks like someone who's never cut a tire before.... just my thought...

I've not tried pure silicon, I've used it to assemble valves and other HD Truck Parts... available in a tube for not much money... it that will work to protect the chemicals in the tire from being damaged by the UV light I'll try it.... The key in my opinion is to preserve those chemicals in the tires... BTW I'm running casings from some truck tires that are years old... they have no weather checking at all.....commercial tires must have a different compound in the side wall.....

Gary... my closest Habitat is 45 miles away.... but I've already spent 8 weeks at a Wildlife Refuge and 8 weeks at a Fish Hatchery this year... does that count...

 

[GCroyle]

Jim,

Fish hatchery, wildlife refuge ya it counts. I'll let them take the taxes AGAIN!

I'll at least get an opinion tomorrow from the tire shop and a wallet lightening too.

 

[JR]

Hey Gary, you staying factory size? Can I ask what tires run in your neck of the woods? I ordered a set of 285/75/17 Nittos Friday, they came in today. I'll be going in tomorrow afternoon to get em mounted. $920 for all 4 out the door (mounted and balanced + tax) . Ouch. Nitto would normally not be my first choice, but not too many options out there in the size I wanted. I will keep my OEM sized tires for summer towing months but I literally get stuck in wet grass and can't stand it anymore. Tired of getting pulled out by the old mans 67 Land Cruiser all the time We shall see how they hold up.

 

[GCroyle]

JR,

Yes 265 70 17 E I'll see the bill later but we're just south of $1200 for 4. $70 Michelin rebate not included. Might be able to beat $$ a bit somewhere, but I trust the shop for their service. Also got hit by a time crunch, need it this weekend ready for towing. I got my last set there and alignment too. It tracked like it was on rails. Prior I tried some AT's and felt squirm and it was really noticable with trailer, they took them off and installed MS2, all gone.