bulge in runflat
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
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bulge in runflat
I noticed my front left tire needed more air pressure than the others when I pumped them up due to colder weather. On closer inspection I noticed a bulge in the sidewall of the tire that's about 3 to 4 inches wide. I have a feeling it was due to hitting a pothole awhile back. Will the tire be ok for the time being or is it something that needs to be replaced immediately?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Get it replaced as soon as you can. This is indicative of cord separation or breaking. Heat buildup and cornering forces can result in the sidewall coming apart on you, usually at a time when you don't want that to happen.
Depending on the age and mileage of the tire, some of the replacement cost may be offset by any road hazard warranty you got on the tire.
Depending on the age and mileage of the tire, some of the replacement cost may be offset by any road hazard warranty you got on the tire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,507
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From: Wilmington Ca.
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Get it replaced as soon as you can. This is indicative of cord separation or breaking. Heat buildup and cornering forces can result in the sidewall coming apart on you, usually at a time when you don't want that to happen.
Depending on the age and mileage of the tire, some of the replacement cost may be offset by any road hazard warranty you got on the tire.
Depending on the age and mileage of the tire, some of the replacement cost may be offset by any road hazard warranty you got on the tire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,903
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From: I finished a Marathon, did you? Michigan
CI 6-7, 9-10 Veteran
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Get it replaced as soon as you can. This is indicative of cord separation or breaking. Heat buildup and cornering forces can result in the sidewall coming apart on you, usually at a time when you don't want that to happen.
Depending on the age and mileage of the tire, some of the replacement cost may be offset by any road hazard warranty you got on the tire.
Depending on the age and mileage of the tire, some of the replacement cost may be offset by any road hazard warranty you got on the tire.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Matthew, you have already been presented with very helpful, and, adequate advice regarding this frustrating issue. And, yes, from impact, you do have cord separation in the sidewall of the tire. This is a very common result due to impact to the tire.
The sidewalls of most tires have generally only two plies of nylon cord in an effort to strengthen an area of the tire that is easily compromised for the fact that it is a region of the tire that experiences continuous dynamic stresses of temperature changes, flex, weight of the vehicle, shearing, and, high yaw rates during high speed turns, and, braking.
Once the supportive inside layer of cord is torn (split), the air under pressure will produce a bulge (like the thinned rubber of a balloon) in the sidewall to protrude very much like an aneursym in the aorta. Also, you further risk blow out because during even just merely parking, a driver may rub up against a curb, or, strike a cement parking slot divider stop, and, cause the tire (from abrasion, or, impact) to then finally "blow out" at the weakened site of the "bulge" . Therefore, replace the tire ASAP, and, have your alignment/suspension inspected for any damage from the impact (i.e., bent tie rods, links, leaking shock, warped, or, bent wheel, etc.), and, reset alignment. You are now, more than likely, out of alignmnent, due to the impact. Good luck to you.
The sidewalls of most tires have generally only two plies of nylon cord in an effort to strengthen an area of the tire that is easily compromised for the fact that it is a region of the tire that experiences continuous dynamic stresses of temperature changes, flex, weight of the vehicle, shearing, and, high yaw rates during high speed turns, and, braking.
Once the supportive inside layer of cord is torn (split), the air under pressure will produce a bulge (like the thinned rubber of a balloon) in the sidewall to protrude very much like an aneursym in the aorta. Also, you further risk blow out because during even just merely parking, a driver may rub up against a curb, or, strike a cement parking slot divider stop, and, cause the tire (from abrasion, or, impact) to then finally "blow out" at the weakened site of the "bulge" . Therefore, replace the tire ASAP, and, have your alignment/suspension inspected for any damage from the impact (i.e., bent tie rods, links, leaking shock, warped, or, bent wheel, etc.), and, reset alignment. You are now, more than likely, out of alignmnent, due to the impact. Good luck to you.
