tire bump
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
tire bump
We went for a drive last night, about 50 miles away, all was good, still had a slight pull to right. As the further we went the pull got worse, and then the vibration started. We I was bugged all during dinner, trying to understand what is happening. On the way home, a strong, heavy vibration from the front end. Pulled the Vette into the shop, jacked up passenger side, saw no problems, jacked up driver side, spun front wheel. Found a bump approximatly 1" high 5" diam. The tread is also slipped or curved. My wife said buy all new tires, a full set, these are dangerous. I am looking at a set of BFG's The tires on the car now are Cooper. I have had this happen on some trailers but not on a vehicle. I am so glad we didn't have a blow out. Al
Da-Fuzz
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 9
From: Come and Take It! Texas
Both my rear tires broke belts last weekend they were BFG Radial T/A's 255 60 R15 they were ten years old and had lots of sitting in the garage from the prior owner. I went with BFG Radial T/A's 225 70 R15. I was really concerned how they would look on the car after I put them on the car they looked fine and the ride is much better.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Age is as important a factor in "safe tire life" as tread wear. It sounds like you've had a belt separation on that tire. If it has more than 6-7 years of operation on it, your best option is to buy another set of tires. If they are not that old, just replace the bad one....or the front pair (to keep them evenly wearing). You can buy BFG T/A Radials at Sam's Club (order them on line and have them delivered to the store) for a decent price. They offer them in tire widths from 235 and up [nothing narrower]. If you buy there, have them install the tires and do a "lifetime balance" on them. They will then do free rotations every six months and balance checks or re-dos whenever you feel they need it.
DON'T FORGET to remove your beauty rings and center caps before you have them installed, if you have rally wheels. Otherwise, you may have damage on them when you get it back.
DON'T FORGET to remove your beauty rings and center caps before you have them installed, if you have rally wheels. Otherwise, you may have damage on them when you get it back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Smart wife! Replace your tires. 
You may also consider an alignment to alleviate the pull to the right and it will also increase the life of your new tires.
When you state that your tire treads look slipped or curved are you looking at the tire from the side or the front?
If looking at the tread straight on from the front and the treads look unevenly wear this is an indication of an alignment issue where you wheel is not running true; as in side-slipping or scrubbing. From the front the tread wear should appear even right across the tire face.
If on the other hand, you are looking at the wheel and tire from the side of the vehicle, with the vehicle jacked up and you rotate the wheel by hand. Now when looking at the tread the wheel looks to be out of round. This would indicate a tire which is scalloped. This uneven wear occurs because of bad shocks and the tire doesn't maintain correct road contact and actually damaged the tire by uneven wear. If this is the case make sure you replace the shocks otherwise this wear pattern will continue on your new tires.
Glad you found this damage sitting in your driveway!
You may also consider an alignment to alleviate the pull to the right and it will also increase the life of your new tires.
When you state that your tire treads look slipped or curved are you looking at the tire from the side or the front?
If looking at the tread straight on from the front and the treads look unevenly wear this is an indication of an alignment issue where you wheel is not running true; as in side-slipping or scrubbing. From the front the tread wear should appear even right across the tire face.
If on the other hand, you are looking at the wheel and tire from the side of the vehicle, with the vehicle jacked up and you rotate the wheel by hand. Now when looking at the tread the wheel looks to be out of round. This would indicate a tire which is scalloped. This uneven wear occurs because of bad shocks and the tire doesn't maintain correct road contact and actually damaged the tire by uneven wear. If this is the case make sure you replace the shocks otherwise this wear pattern will continue on your new tires.
Glad you found this damage sitting in your driveway!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
We went for a drive last night, about 50 miles away, all was good, still had a slight pull to right. As the further we went the pull got worse, and then the vibration started. We I was bugged all during dinner, trying to understand what is happening. On the way home, a strong, heavy vibration from the front end. Pulled the Vette into the shop, jacked up passenger side, saw no problems, jacked up driver side, spun front wheel. Found a bump approximatly 1" high 5" diam. The tread is also slipped or curved. My wife said buy all new tires, a full set, these are dangerous. I am looking at a set of BFG's The tires on the car now are Cooper. I have had this happen on some trailers but not on a vehicle. I am so glad we didn't have a blow out. Al
I had used one of those "plug" kits you see at the parts stores.
Air had gotten in between the steel belts and the tread and caused a bubble on the side of the tire that was very similar to what you described.
The only proper repair should be a "hot patch" on the inside of the tire, that should include rebalancing the tire.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
I am going to install a completen new set of tires. The tread when view straigh ahead actually has an "s" look to in just before the bump. I am guessing the belt has moved. Not sure how old the tires are, but I have driven over 5k with them last summer. I was planning on getting new this year but now I have an order too. thanks Al
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
From: staten island new york
St. Jude Donor '10
[QUOTE=alswagg;1573492315]taking her to dinner is how we found the problem. i think a piece of jewlery is in order. then order more parts. she wont mind....lol