[ausgeflippt951]

Ok so to those paying super-close attention, I mentioned in the Shenandoah DE thread that I found a potentially life-ending issue with my Right-Front tire whilst inspecting them at the end of the DE last weekend.


There appears to be a "crack" forming on the corner of tire that has spread to the tread.

A little history: the crack has actually been there for some time, but has only been limited to the very "corner" of the tire (i.e., where the tread and sidewall meet) and was no more than 1" long. I had it inspected by Discount Tire out in AZ (some friends of mine worked there) and was given the OK to use. Since this inspection, I've run these tires for about 8 DE days without issue.

The maximum crack depth (which is also at the corner) is slightly more than 1/4", but is at a ~30deg angle, meaning the total depth (perpendicular to surface) is only a few mm.


However, it appears as though the crack has spread?? It's possible the crack has been there all along; it actually continues VERY FAINTLY about 6" down the tread. The part of the crack that is on the tread is <3/32" deep, maximum. Average depth is probably 1/16".


Thanks in advance! I'd really like to be able to milk every last drop out of these suckers...

[smdubovsky]

Is that a bear eating the arm off a naked woman on your ring?

[BMAN]

Originally Posted by smdubovsky

off a naked woman

deleted

[cmartin]

I'd really like to be able to milk every last drop out of these suckers...

I think you have

[pjalexandre]

For your safety and that of others. Do not run that tire anymore.

[HoodPin]

X2 on its probably done, and should be replaced. IIRC you mentioned in another thread that these tires had some age on them. As the rubber ages, it gets harder and more brittle, thus prone to cracking. The crack is now becoming a potential "break away" point for some tread to chuck off, particularly if you're forced into an off-pavement excursion, and catch the pavement/curbing edge just right. Plus I believe that crack is deep enough that moisture is now able to get into the cords, and the steel belts can begin rusting, leading to further delamination under the tread.

IMHO, better safe than sorry. Would be a pain for a $200 tire to cause you to miss part of a DE weekend or damage the car due to luck not stretching out as long as you'd hoped.

[Dr K]

Originally Posted by HoodPin

Would be a pain for a $200 tire to cause you to miss part of a DE weekend or damage the car due to luck not stretching out as long as you'd hoped.

...or injure somebody else

What size is it? I have some mostly-used-up RA-1s in my garage that probably match the rest of your tires. PM me if it's 225/16 or 245/16. cheap or free depending on tread.

[Dr K]

Ha ha - he has a BEAVER on his ring. Geeky brainy show-off...

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by smdubovsky

Is that a bear eating the arm off a naked woman on your ring?

gota say that is not an everyday ring...

Most of the folks that hang around here would say that tire is done. Water can get into the steel belting and cause it to fail.

[Cliff Claven]

if you want to keep milking it you probably need to look into retreading it