100%
Tire Problem (cracking)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 3
Tire Problem (cracking)
I purchased my 05 a couple months ago and have noticed a problem with the tires. When I bought it I checked the tread, which is in excellent condition, and even the tire age which is the 48th week of 2009 but I didn't even think to check between the tread for cracks on such a fairly new tire with minimal wear. They are stock Goodyear runflats.
You can only see them with a flash light or in direct sunlight but they are all over the front tires, which are newer than the rears.
For obvious reasons I am going to replace them right away but what would cause such a "new" tire to be in such bad shape? The tire was made just barely over 3 years ago and I have heard several stories of people buying brand new tires which are a year or two old at the time of purchase.
What do you guys think, dry rot somehow...or something else?
You can only see them with a flash light or in direct sunlight but they are all over the front tires, which are newer than the rears.
For obvious reasons I am going to replace them right away but what would cause such a "new" tire to be in such bad shape? The tire was made just barely over 3 years ago and I have heard several stories of people buying brand new tires which are a year or two old at the time of purchase.
What do you guys think, dry rot somehow...or something else?
Last edited by meltn02; May 9, 2013 at 09:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
It could also be a manufacturing defect. Before you spend the money take it to a Goodyear dealer and get their opinion. It could very well be a certain batch of tires had problems and you could get replacements for very little additional cost.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,776
Likes: 310
From: Morris Co. NJ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18,'21
The picture in and of itself looks deceiving in that the tread appears to be inside out if you understand. If in fact the tire is only 3 1/2 years old it might be interesting to see what Goodyear has to say. It would be worth a shot. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 3
Yea they were MADE at the factory a little over 3 years ago, and I am sure it took a decent amount of time for it to actually make it onto my car. They appear to have almost no tread wear at all but look really bad between the treads. I will get it checked out at a goodyear dealer tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 3
Just checked, both tires that are doing it were manufactured at the same time, 48th week of 09. A couple more shots, never had a tire do this before so was pretty shocked how bad they looked. This is the other tire, for some reason the picture was smaller and its harder to see but it is the same. The outer crack looks even worse than it actually is just because it is right along a zigzag in the tread.
Last edited by meltn02; May 9, 2013 at 10:08 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 3
Yea one photo was taken from the front side of the driver wheel and the other was the back side of the passenger front (if that makes any sense) so the direction might look strange. I will update tomorrow when I find out what is going on. Wasn't sure if anyone else here had seen this before, thanks for the feedback!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: NJ: the garbage state
i had this happen to my 09. factory good year's began cracking with less than 7k miles on them. this is not from abuse. goodyear and the dealer both offered pro-rated credit toward new ones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
a few reason for this to happen. depending on how many miles are on those tires, the rubber will get hard with age and if the car is not driven tires can flat spot and dry out causing these problems. on GS's GY has a warning that states that cars should not be driven if the tire temp. is below 40 degrees.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 3
Just got back from the tire place, it was some type of defect and they are selling me 2 new replacements at about $100 each (prorated price) 
Very pleased with the result especially since I had no paperwork for them or even any idea when they were put on other than the manufacture date. Now I just need to order some new rims to have installed along with them!!
Very pleased with the result especially since I had no paperwork for them or even any idea when they were put on other than the manufacture date. Now I just need to order some new rims to have installed along with them!!
It's 5 o'clock Somewhere
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 21
From: HOUSTON TEXAS
St Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
Just got back from the tire place, it was some type of defect and they are selling me 2 new replacements at about $100 each (prorated price)
Very pleased with the result especially since I had no paperwork for them or even any idea when they were put on other than the manufacture date. Now I just need to order some new rims to have installed along with them!!
Very pleased with the result especially since I had no paperwork for them or even any idea when they were put on other than the manufacture date. Now I just need to order some new rims to have installed along with them!!
Very nice - I'm happy for you. And I'm glad I was wrong in my first thought that it could have bee from previous owner's tire abuse.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland Heights Ohio
At least they made good in some way and the OP is happy. Congrats!
My '09 has Goodyears which are starting to crack, too. I took it to be from the real heat cycles from the desert where the car was from. After 17K it was time to replace anyway...
My '09 has Goodyears which are starting to crack, too. I took it to be from the real heat cycles from the desert where the car was from. After 17K it was time to replace anyway...