I noticed a bulge, between the two O's on the word Goodyear, on the sidewall of my Goodyear EMT front passenger tire. My 2001 C5 Coupe has a little over 15,000 miles. The tire pressure reads 33psi and gives a smooth ride at all speeds. I have an extended warranty on the Vette, but probably not on the tires? However, this bulge (only noticeable when the word Goodyear on the sidewall is near the top vs. near the ground) seems to me a defect & not normal wear.

I'm going to call the Chevrolet dealership in the morning about the possible sidewall defect. I do not see a puncture, or any other trauma to the sidewall in question. I know of a good shop that carries Goodyear tires, however I thought I would try my luck with the dealership first. I think these front EMT's are over $300.00.

Please, any thoughts...

 

Your dealership should replace it for you... It may be pro rated then again maybe not... IMO, the tire has failed and you should not have to bear the entire burden of replacement... :nono:

vetterdstr :cheers:

 

It could be an impact break, caused by a bad chuck hole, common in Michigan, or it can simply be a butt splice, If your told its a butt splice & in fact it is, you will not have a problem with the tire. 40 years in the tire business. Hope this helps & good luck. :cheers:

 

Hey vetterdstr,

Thanks for your reply! Maybe I will just show up at the Chevrolet dealership at the break of dawn as the rooster crows. Needless to say, even if they are EMT's I'm real hesitant to drive on this tire. :eek:

Curious, anybody ever have a problem with a bulge on the sidewall of an EMT tire?


[Modified by Cary, 1:56 AM 3/31/2003]

 

Clancy, I know nothing about EMT tires. So, this butt-splice problem is safe to drive on? If it is this safe butt-splice, then will the bulge increase in size. I certainly hope not. Geez, after placing 3rd at the Texas Vettes Golden Anniversary Car Show I was hoping to enter more shows, but did not plan on a bulge to the sidewall. Seriously, are you saying the Chevrolet dealership may not replace, at least pro-rate, the tire at no cost to me?

The other defect you mentioned, impact break, if that is my tires ailment then is that covered under the warranty? Like I said earlier, this defect does not look like normal wear to me. I have gone over some chuck holes, but nothing really out of the ordinary.

Clancy, or anyone else, please elaborate further on my sidewall bulge, thanks...


[Modified by Cary, 1:58 AM 3/31/2003]


[Modified by Cary, 2:01 AM 3/31/2003]

 

Cary, I have seen many a set of runflats on C5's and never saw a bulge in a tire sidewall before. :nonod:

vetterdstr :cheers:

 

Change to Firestones RFT, you won't be sorry. :yesnod:

 

wtlytng, LOL, how is buying a Firestone tire answer my question. Besides, I do not think Firestone has a real good track record lately (figure of speech, BTW). I mean I have to decide (yes, vetterdstr, I'm defintely going to the Chev dealer in the AM) first if my present tire needs to be replaced & if the Chevy dealership is going to cover it. I was hoping someone with a similar experience with a sidewall EMT bulge would reply. Maybe this problem of mine is truly unique & in fact an abnormal defect that should be covered by the Chevy dealership. :confused: :confused: :confused:


[Modified by Cary, 3:46 AM 3/31/2003]

 

:lol: Let us know how it goes ok?

vetterdstr :cheers:

 

I recently hit a pothole and now have a HUGE bulge on my tire. It also bent the rim. I'm trying to see if caltrans will help pay for this because they had just started work where it happened and left a huge hole. I already have bids over $1000. I am also going to post a question if I can't find the answer... What is the largest wheel and tire combo that I can put on a stock '99? thanks. :crazy:

 

I ran a CCW Big Street Setup for over 2 years on my 99. That consisted of 18x10 with 285/30's on the front and 18x11.5 wtih 335/30's on the rear. For contact info to CCW go to http://www.ccwheel.com The White convertible on the web site is my car with the T&W assembly shown on the pic.

vetterdstr :cheers:

 

Have it checked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Hey allegro, if you had read all my post above you would know that I had planned getting the tire looked at ASAP :nono:

Anyway, vetterdstr, I have good news. I just got back from Capitol Chevrolet, 6200 I-35 Austin, TX & the Service Manager authorized replacement of my bulging :lol: tire under warranty, thus at no cost to me. The Service Manager, Eric Posey said he has not seen many EMTs with that sidewall bulge defect. He also said that usually this kind of bulge is caused by a SEVERE chuck hole in the road. I assured him that I had not come across such and after staring at my tire, for what seemed an eternity, and inspecting my Vette he felt confident that I had not caused the bulge.

They drove my Vette to one of the bays to get it up on a lift for some DOT #'s on the back of the tire, or maybe for further inspection. I was given a receipt of the work order, which states the tire will be replaced under warranty at no cost to me. In fact, Eric told me these tires rarely go bad & they will have to order one from San Marcos, or Waco. So, hopefully they will receive the tire by Wednesday, or Thursday the latest. Thursday is my next day off from work, so that is okay and Eric said it would be safe to drive.

I have heard bad stories about Car dealerships not willing to do repairs/replacements under warranty, however this Dealership & especially the Service Manager are :thumbs:

I'll let ya'll know more after I get the replacement tire. :cheers: :chevy

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS :flag

 

Great news!! :) I have to agree with the guys at the dealership... it is rare to damage a HD tire like the run flat in that way. :yesnod:

vetterdstr :cheers:

 

I've had 2 EMT's get bulges in the sidewall and had them replaced under my road hazard warranty with Discount Tire. Most likely caused by a pot hole. They are a blow out waiting to happen but a blow out in an EMT is nothing like a regular tire. I blew one going over a train track and didn't notice until a few miles later when the pressure dropped and the flat tire warning came on. It still drove well and only seemed a little stiff when making a turn.

Gotta love not getting stranded on the side of the road. :yesnod:

 

I had the same problem, ~2 years ago on my 2000. Both of my right side tires developed a bubble (caused by going over a pothole no doubt). I called Goodyear and spoke with a nice lady who gaved me the location of the nearest Goodyear EMT authorized dealer. When I got there the tires had 9/32 depth, bearly under the 25% usage for full coverage (new threads are 11/32 depth). It was fully covered and I didn't pay a dime. When I picked up the tires though, (took the tires off my car and took them) the dealer gived me a bill for balancing (around $80). I had to show them the EMT Extended Road Hazard Warranty (not the regular warranty) where it states that balancing is also included.

Note, if the wear is over 25% then it is pro rated.




[Modified by dwayne, 12:14 PM 3/31/2003]