Blooming Flat Tyre

[Ben]

Had a flat trye (well, heavily deflated), i think i drove on it deflated for about 1 mile, if that. Its the front left.

so, at dads, wheel off and investigate the cause. Nothing apparent so we reinflated to it 35psi to see if we could hear any air escaping - still nothing, went for dinner, an hour later its still inflated, maybe lost 1lb psi, so down to 34.

what was strange though was the ammount of bubbles/blisters/swells/bulges (call them what you will) around the complete inside tyre wall.

Could these have been caused by the short drive on the deflated tyre, or could i just been unlucky with a duf tyre

They tyres are Bridgestone Potenzas 225/45/17

So i took the oppurtunity to put the pair of rear tyres on the front and the two front tryre on the rear, that wat, should this suspect tyre deflare again, the car will be safer to control with a rear flat rather than a front flat.

Now, my previous set of tyres were the same make and spec, but i didn't swap them over, so when i had these new ones put on i hald on to the best one of the 4 that were removed, so in this case i'm lucky as i already have my spare tyre if i need it and instantly save £100+

some pictures of my bulgy tyre

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/Bulgy%20Tyre/15022009846.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/Bulgy%20Tyre/15022009847.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/Bulgy%20Tyre/15022009848.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/Bulgy%20Tyre/15022009849.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/Bulgy%20Tyre/15022009850.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/Bulgy%20Tyre/15022009851.jpg

[neil w]

Judging by the picture the tyre has been run at low pressure or flat and the weakest part of the structure (the side wall) has been damaged.
Problem with low profiles is that you can easily run them down to below 10psi if you have a leaky valve or a slight weep off the seal on the rim without knowing it.
Once that happens the tread doesn't wear but it destroys the side walls in a very short distance.

[Ben]

Got the tyre changed today.

There was no evidence of any foreign object in the tyre visible from outside or inside the tyre.

Therefore we have no explanation as to why the tyre should deflate to the point of being flat, but then since 12noon on sunday, the tyre has held 2.2bar quite happily.

driving on flat tyres proves costly though. I took some photos of the inside of the trye and i was quite amazed at the damage.

You can see where the webbing of the tyre has been worn through.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/16022009852.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/16022009853.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/16022009854.jpg

[paulthefox]

had similar probs with nankng blew out the sidewall of tyre lucky ;):aargh4:was going slow when it happened

can never be to careful when it comes to bulges on tyre i always replace


paul

[paul b]

Just had this on my A6... well not the mysterious pressure loss bit. :p It was the left rear.

Had the tyre puncture repaired at a garage, the spare with similar tread has been put on the rear with the repaired tyre as spare. A rather large nail was found in it.

I can see a fortune in tyres coming up soon, the fronts (Bridgestone Potenza 235/45/17) are on 5mm, and the rears (Michelin Primacy 235/45/17) are on 3mm. :(

Flippin rubber!!! :aargh4:

[Cheap Car Tyres]

Its good that you replaced it when you did, that could have been an accident waiting to happen!

Brian

[paulthefox]

hi paul b

you should some ofthe online retailers for prices for new tyres escpecially if 4 are are required:approve: you might get them for bargain prices


paul

[paul b]

hi paul b

you should some ofthe online retailers for prices for new tyres escpecially if 4 are are required:approve: you might get them for bargain prices


paul
You're right Paul. :beerchug:
I always try my local tyre place (not Kwik-Fit! :p) first, and if he doesn't have the right tyres then I use www.blackcircles.com (http://www.blackcircles.com). I got a brand new Bridgestone Potenza off them a few months back. They're the cheapest online tyre place I can find.

[Col]

Funny how these things come up all at once by everyone it seems.

Put two on mine yesterday. Plumped for Avons at £90 a corner, YIKES

This A6 has a stupid size being 215 55 16's meaning they are not cheap. I did toy with the idea of going down to 205's but thought better of it. For twice the price and a little bit more I could got some new 18" RS6 reps with new tyres but again thought better of it as I've spent enough in these last few weeks.

I also try and strike a balance these days between cost and performance after having spate of punctures on expensive tyres (Michelin Primacy) and having to bin a few as they were unrepairable.

The last major event tyre wise was having a blowout on the Passat on a fast dual carriageway with the wife and kids in the car. Couldn't stop striaght away but when I did the tyre was literally smoking it was so hot. When changed it also hand masses of the black dusty stuff inside.

[paul b]

Just look at what I have to pay for the Bridgestones (http://www.blackcircles.com/information?modelid=8664211&cid=912&productid=11344030). 235/45/17s aren't good for your wallet.

I'm going to find a quiet room. :aargh4: