First Flat tire...Please HELP!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
First Flat tire...Please HELP!
Guys,
I happened to pick up about a 1" metal shard which pierced right through the center of the tread!
I was able to pull the shard out but the tire is trashed. So much for these EMTs. It was making a terrible flat noise (everyone was starring) but I wasn't too far from home and able to drive it with my blinkers flashing. I certainly cannot drive it over a few miles per hour.
SO. I need some suggestions. My baby is an 03' with 19k and I've done my best to keep the tires in great shape. I rarely beat on them.
I suppose I could replace just the one (right rear) or replace them all. They are the original good year EMT's which I know kind of suck so suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Raz
I happened to pick up about a 1" metal shard which pierced right through the center of the tread!
I was able to pull the shard out but the tire is trashed. So much for these EMTs. It was making a terrible flat noise (everyone was starring) but I wasn't too far from home and able to drive it with my blinkers flashing. I certainly cannot drive it over a few miles per hour.
SO. I need some suggestions. My baby is an 03' with 19k and I've done my best to keep the tires in great shape. I rarely beat on them.
I suppose I could replace just the one (right rear) or replace them all. They are the original good year EMT's which I know kind of suck so suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Raz
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Since this problem occured, it makes me think I should try better tires. I suppose I could just replace the two rears but they wouldn't match the front UNLESS the newer Goodyear EMTs are better tires that look the same??
Really, some tire suggestions/opinions would be great....
Raz
Really, some tire suggestions/opinions would be great....
Raz
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
I thought the idea of the EMTs was that you were able to contiue driving at up to 50mph for up to 200 miles? I thought I also read here that places such as Discount Tire were equipted to repair most tread intrusion damage as long as it wasn't in the side wall? Didn't they run the Indy Pace car with flat runflats several years ago?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I thought the idea of the EMTs was that you were able to contiue driving at up to 50mph for up to 200 miles? I thought I also read here that places such as Discount Tire were equipted to repair most tread intrusion damage as long as it wasn't in the side wall? Didn't they run the Indy Pace car with flat runflats several years ago?
Raz
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow OK
I am surprised that you experienced that much noise from a flat Goodyear runflat. I had the same thing happen to me and it sounded and looked normal except that the handling was a bit strange. Tire shop told me that it could not be repaired so I drove it home. When I pulled the metal shard out of my tire I found that it was triangular in shape and that only the tip had penetrated. Since I had nothing to loose, I tried plugging it, thinking I might be able to get by until I could find another tire. Plug held perfectly and I drove it for another 18 months, until tread was almost gone. You should be able to find another half used Goodyear runflat since a lot of us have them laying around in our garage.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
The GS-D3s looks like an awesome tire BUT what happens if I catch a nail in one?
Finding a used tire sounds like a great suggestion but likely more trouble than anything trying to find one in similar condition??
Does anyone know whether the newer GY EMTs are any better than the those that are on my 03?
Also, has anyhad any experience with the Firestone FireHawk SZ50 EPs?
Raz
Finding a used tire sounds like a great suggestion but likely more trouble than anything trying to find one in similar condition??
Does anyone know whether the newer GY EMTs are any better than the those that are on my 03?
Also, has anyhad any experience with the Firestone FireHawk SZ50 EPs?
Raz
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: SJ CA
I would just go on Craigslist or Ebay and get a set of rears If you don't want to buy new ones. I had a flat once on the stock F1 EMT and they were very noisey when driving on them. But as long as they keep your wheel up off the ground and the tire doesn't rip off the wheel, they are performing as they were designed to. I gave up on EMT/Runflats and bought some Toyo T1R tires and an air compressor with tire sealant from Continental and I'm really enjoying them. Big difference in performance. And don't believe those Car and Driver/Motor Trend tire tests. I think they are bias. Do your own research.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I too wondered about the "flat" noise, and you creeping home at a "few" miles per hour. Folks on here have reported flats that they didn't know they had until tht TPS told them.
I also wonder just what kind of tire you think would take that 1" metal shard and toss it off without damage? You're understandably miffed about having a flat but I don't think the tires let you down in any way.
Replace it and move on. I think JWB Z06 had it right, there should be plenty to choose from used. Try the parts section.
I also wonder just what kind of tire you think would take that 1" metal shard and toss it off without damage? You're understandably miffed about having a flat but I don't think the tires let you down in any way.
Replace it and move on. I think JWB Z06 had it right, there should be plenty to choose from used. Try the parts section.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Nails really aren't a big deal and quite frankly, runflats SUCK performance wise compared to regular replacements. The replacements will not only stick better, but they'll be lighter (less unsprung mass, probably even help fuel economy a tad), and they will feel much smoother w/o the heavy steel belts of the runflats. I'm running KDW2s w/ my aftermarket wheels and love em. Don't remember if they come in stock size though (275/40/18 IIRC). If not, check out the Ecsta MXs from Kumho, another great bang/buck tire. Tires should be replaced in pairs though.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
Usually nothing. You just leave the nail in which causes a slow leak and swing by Discount Tire for a quick patch. If its something you need to pull out right away, go to Walmart and pickup a small electric pump (will fit in that little cubby in the back) and a tire repair kit. Its basically two tools including a poker (rough sides to scrape clean the hole) and a threader. You then use what amounts to a tarred shoe lace and thread it in and yank out hard. Cut the excess with some scissors.
Nails really aren't a big deal and quite frankly, runflats SUCK performance wise compared to regular replacements. The replacements will not only stick better, but they'll be lighter (less unsprung mass, probably even help fuel economy a tad), and they will feel much smoother w/o the heavy steel belts of the runflats. I'm running KDW2s w/ my aftermarket wheels and love em. Don't remember if they come in stock size though (275/40/18 IIRC). If not, check out the Ecsta MXs from Kumho, another great bang/buck tire. Tires should be replaced in pairs though.
Nails really aren't a big deal and quite frankly, runflats SUCK performance wise compared to regular replacements. The replacements will not only stick better, but they'll be lighter (less unsprung mass, probably even help fuel economy a tad), and they will feel much smoother w/o the heavy steel belts of the runflats. I'm running KDW2s w/ my aftermarket wheels and love em. Don't remember if they come in stock size though (275/40/18 IIRC). If not, check out the Ecsta MXs from Kumho, another great bang/buck tire. Tires should be replaced in pairs though.
Been run-flat free here for about 3 years. Had a large strip of (white) metal thrash a rear tire. I pulled off the side of the road and got a friend to pick me up. Went home and got a wagon wheel with my spare used EMT on it and drove the car home. Found some barely used 285 GS-D3 on the forum and put them on the car.
I wouldn't go back to a run-flat if Goodyear paid me to use them. GS-D3 or BFG KDW2's here all the way. In fact, I removed the newer style EMT tires from my CTS-V and put non run-flat KDW2's on it. Nothing feels better than lighter, stickier tires on a performance car!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
I just remembered, Goodyear makes the GS-D3 in a EMT. If you want the security of the run-flat, go that route. I'm not 100% certain they make the EMT version in the Corvette sizes. You'll have to call TireRack or Discount for that information.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I too wondered about the "flat" noise, and you creeping home at a "few" miles per hour. Folks on here have reported flats that they didn't know they had until tht TPS told them.
I also wonder just what kind of tire you think would take that 1" metal shard and toss it off without damage? You're understandably miffed about having a flat but I don't think the tires let you down in any way.
I also wonder just what kind of tire you think would take that 1" metal shard and toss it off without damage? You're understandably miffed about having a flat but I don't think the tires let you down in any way.
Well, I'm certainly not making anything up or was my intention to crap on the EMTs. The tire is sitting about a .25" off the bead and it carried a crumbling flat tire noise while moving faster than 5 mph. I think I picked up the shard while pulling into the parking lot (where I came back to find that I had a flat). Just a corner of the shard was puncturing the tire as I was able to remove it with my hand.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I'm leaning towards the GS-D3s 
, the tire rack doesn't seem to offer them in EMT? Maybe I'm better off without them. I only drive the car during summer months anyhow.
I suppose I could always try selling the rest of mine??
Raz
, the tire rack doesn't seem to offer them in EMT? Maybe I'm better off without them. I only drive the car during summer months anyhow. I suppose I could always try selling the rest of mine??
Raz
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
Here is a Goodyear link for the EMT version:
http://www.goodyear.ca/goodyeartires...ea=Performance
As a side note, it is listed at this Tire Rack link but no information comes up with I click it. Give them a call, I'm sure they will be happy to assist.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/goodye...4x032&code=yes
Last edited by torchredfrc; May 2, 2007 at 07:13 PM. Reason: Added Tire Rack link.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow OK
Do you mean that the tire actually looks flat? If so, this certainly does not sound like a runflat. The Goodyear runflat would appear normal, even with zero tire pressure.