I know that low profile/run-flat tires take more air pressure than standard tires to seat the bead. Has anyone had issues with getting the O/E Michelin Pilot Pro Sports to seat?
I bought a set of Z06 Style wheels for my ‘19 Stingray from Factory Reproductions and had Tire Rack Mobile Service come to my house and swap the tires from my stock wheels. The front ones seem to have seated correctly with the wheel lip recessing into the rim-guard channel on the tire but the rear wheels have the lip sticking out and don’t appear to be fully seated.
I had Tire Rack come back out and re-mount the rear tires and the tech said he put 65 pounds of pressure in the tire but the results are the same. They balanced out fine and ride smooth but I’m not sure they are seated correctly.
I have about 500 miles on them with no issues,
Factory Reproductions has a good reputation as far as I can tell as to the quality of their products.
Has anyone else had similar issues?

 

I cannot tell a great deal from the picture, but it doesn't look like my OEMs, as best I can judge from this. I suggest you find some other C7s to look at. Good luck.

 

your second pic seems off to me. How wide are your new rear wheels? It's possible a mobile unit cannot generate the proper pressure to seat it correctly

 

I busted tires for a few years in my younger days for a local Cadillac dealership in Phoenix and I'm with you, the rear does not look right. I'd take the rears or the car to another shop (a high end shop) for a second opinion, but I wouldn't be satisfied with that. Props to you for noticing and asking about it. The bead does not look fully seated, so you need to confirm it's the mounting or the wheel or it is in fact normal for that brand of wheel (I fully suspect not). Those tires have somewhat of a rim rash protection lip built into them and that's not evident in the pic of the rears as it is with the fronts.

As it's the rears, even though you have 500 miles on them, I would 100% stay away from any spirited driving or cornering until you can confirm whether that's normal for the tire and brand of wheel. You do not want a bead to unseat at speed - the results will be unexpected and will likely be uncontrollable.

Can you tell me what the bump looking thing is I circled?

 

I agree - that bead on the rear tire does not look fully seated. Do you have a Discount Tire store in your area - if so, maybe have them take a look at it.

 

the person who mounts my tires doesn't have these issues.

 

The new wheels are the same width as stock. (Rear - 20”x 10”)

 

[QUOTE=Flattman;1606332473]I busted tires for a few years in my younger days for a local Cadillac dealership in Phoenix and I'm with you, the rear does not look right. I'd take the rears or the car to another shop (a high end shop) for a second opinion, but I wouldn't be satisfied with that. Props to you for noticing and asking about it. The bead does not look fully seated, so you need to confirm it's the mounting or the wheel or it is in fact normal for that brand of wheel (I fully suspect not). Those tires have somewhat of a rim rash protection lip built into them and that's not evident in the pic of the rears as it is with the fronts.

As it's the rears, even though you have 500 miles on them, I would 100% stay away from any spirited driving or cornering until you can confirm whether that's normal for the tire and brand of wheel. You do not want a bead to unseat at speed - the results will be unexpected and will likely be uncontrollable.

Can you tell me what the bump looking thing is I circled?


[/QUOTE
]
The white spot is just dried dirt on the edge of the wheel lip (that should be seated in the tire rim guard). Anything else is a reflection.

 

So that’s the OEM 285 sitting on a 10” rim? No Sir, your gut is correct. Drive that to your nearest reputable tire store and have the rears remounted.

 

Did the OEM rims also stretch the tires like that? Rims seem too wide looking at the pics, especially the first one of the front. Maybe he didn't use enough sauce or pressure.

 

Go to DIscount tire or someplace and have the tires remounted. Those are not fully mounted.

Elmer

 

I'd say those are not fully mounted. I watched and laughed with the guys at Discount Tire who struggled to get that thing to set right. Those tires really kicked their asses.

Suggest they use a rachet strap, it makes it easier for them.

 

I didn’t pay much attention to the original rims. The dealer I bought the car from put a new set of O/E Michelins on it. Factory Repo rims are the same width as originals (19”x 8.5” and 20”x 10”)
The second time the mobile service mounted the tires (with the same results) he told me that he put 65# of air in to seat them. From what I’ve read on the internet, it can take up to 90# of air to seat some low profile tires.
I have a Discount Tire shop nearby. Looks like I need to pay them a visit. 👍🏻

 

I am not sitting in front of them, but sure looks like it is not seated properly, My fronts are damn near flush and rears have a small lip nothing like yours. Sorry for crappy pics car still under cover.


Front


Rear

 

Wow, that tire does not look seated yet !!
Rich

 

I agree with others that the bead is not seated. The bead needs to be broken down again and new lube put on rim / tire bead. Then pressurize until bead seats properly. These tires - especially the rears - need a lot of pressure to seat the beads. There is a warning on the side of the tire that states maximum bead setting pressure - something like 44 or 50 psi. In my experience, that pressure will not be high enough to seat the beads. The tire / rim needs to be put in a safety cage in case it explodes when trying to seat the beads at above the recommended pressure. It is very unlikely, but safety first.

Absolutely do not drive fast or aggressively until those tires are properly seated on the rims!!!!

By the way - no reputable tire installer should have let you drive away with the tires like that.

if he went up to 65 psi (which is definitely above the side wall placard safety limit) he knows they are not seated. And they should have been in a safety cage.

I have needed as much as 90 psi to seat the rears on my car. I am not suggesting that is safe or that you or anyone should do it. Just telling you that it was required for mine and that was after taking the tire off and relubing multiple times and letting the tire sit in hot sun. It came down to either pump up the pressure that high or give up and get different tires. When they finally seat - it sounds like a gunshot.

 

What is the date on them tires.The older they are the harder the rubber gets.I believe they are a 6 yr. limit?Check on the Michelin website.
That is the reason I believe to not purchase older tires to remount.I watched a ace tire guy struggle to get my rear beads to catch.These runflats suck to mount.

 

Just wondering if putting too much pressure in to seat them will cause structural damage ??
Rich

 

At some point yes - the wheel would likely fail before tire. But who knows how high that pressure would be?

 

wouldn't want to be there at that time, just like too high a blood pressure will kill one of us !!
Rich