Tire Dilemma

[Matt In Detroit]

Noticed on my front drivers side that I have a nice bulge on the tire sidewall running from the rim outward. Its a good 3/8" high, 1" wide. With 8800 miles do I just replace this one tire? do I worry about it? Stopped at the dealer hoping for some sort of help on it but they said it is impact damage, therefore my responsibility. Me or my wife dont remember hitting anything hard, the car is quite babied. So.. any comments?

[Rider90]

Noticed on my front drivers side that I have a nice bulge on the tire sidewall running from the rim outward. Its a good 3/8" high, 1" wide. With 8800 miles do I just replace this one tire? do I worry about it? Stopped at the dealer hoping for some sort of help on it but they said it is impact damage, therefore my responsibility. Me or my wife dont remember hitting anything hard, the car is quite babied. So.. any comments?

Get the tire replaced ASAP

[Bradley G]

Matt,

The sidewall of the tire is very thin.
I know it's gonna cost you more but two front tires and an alignment is probably in order.There are revised alignment specs, available.
Speak up if you need help.
Good luck!
Bradley G
Noticed on my front drivers side that I have a nice bulge on the tire sidewall running from the rim outward. Its a good 3/8" high, 1" wide. With 8800 miles do I just replace this one tire? do I worry about it? Stopped at the dealer hoping for some sort of help on it but they said it is impact damage, therefore my responsibility. Me or my wife dont remember hitting anything hard, the car is quite babied. So.. any comments?

[chicago_cop]

Noticed on my front drivers side that I have a nice bulge on the tire sidewall running from the rim outward. Its a good 3/8" high, 1" wide. With 8800 miles do I just replace this one tire? do I worry about it? Stopped at the dealer hoping for some sort of help on it but they said it is impact damage, therefore my responsibility. Me or my wife dont remember hitting anything hard, the car is quite babied. So.. any comments?

I would try and replacing only that one; with that few miles, and see how it feels. Incidently has anyone tryed to remove the spare (Full size tire) from the trunk mount? I had to use a large pipe wrench to remove the plastic retainer that holds the tire. Put it back finger tight. Would recomend everyone to losten it before you get a flat on the road.

[RF Overlord]

Matt: Any bulge in the sidewall is a Very Bad Thing. It means the plies have separated and the tire is therefor much more prone to catastrophic failure due to normal sidewall flexing and heat. Whether you choose to replace just one or both is up to you, but either way get that tire off your car.

On a side note, the tires are not warranted by the dealer, they are covered by a separate warranty from the tire manufacturer (in this case, BFG). I would try going to a BFG dealer and see if they'll take care of it for you. This type of failure is not necessarily impact damage and/or your fault. Your dealer should have explained that to you instead of simply saying "on your bike, son"... :shake:

[jobrien8]

Had the same thing happen with the same result. Wrote to Michelin (parent company). Recieved a call back. All they did was check with the dealer (Stu Evans-Lakeside) who did the inspection, and said nothing could be done.
I purchased the replacement ($152) as I wouldn't drive on that tire. Maybe you will have better luck than me. Let us know.

[JimmyXR7]

[QUOTE=Matt In Detroit]Noticed on my front drivers side that I have a nice bulge on the tire sidewall running from the rim outward. QUOTE]

Buy pair of new tires and get alignment!
Tires are 1/3 worn, (I have 28K and need new front tires)
Keep good old tire.
Or list here or on Ebay for someone else who lost a tire by hitting a curb or puncture. Recommend you list at 1/2 price or less so you can get rid of it.
Jim
PS does anyone know what the Traction control computer will do with the front tires of different worn sizes?

[B.C. Bake]

[QUOTE=Matt In Detroit]Noticed on my front drivers side that I have a nice bulge on the tire sidewall running from the rim outward. QUOTE]

Buy pair of new tires and get alignment!
Tires are 1/3 worn, (I have 28K and need new front tires)
Keep good old tire.
Or list here or on Ebay for someone else who lost a tire by hitting a curb or puncture. Recommend you list at 1/2 price or less so you can get rid of it.
Jim
PS does anyone know what the Traction control computer will do with the front tires of different worn sizes?
My guess, it should do the same thing'keep the rotor from locking up":dunno:

[MarauderMike]

Have the tire gauged for tread depth, if there is minimal wear as opposed to a new tire(New tire tread depth is 9.5/32nds) I would not worry about replacing both tires. Alignment would be in order. Sidewalls are thin as previously stated, even minor impacts can seperate sidewall plys in a tire. The tire should be replaced ASAP.

[CRUZTAKER]

On a side note, the tires are not warranted by the dealer, they are covered by a separate warranty from the tire manufacturer (in this case, BFG)......:shake:This is very true.

Although the BFG KDW does NOT have any such treadwear warranty, it does have a MANUFACTURER DEFECT warranty that very well may apply to you.

When you say it has 8800 miles on it...is it the original tire that was in it when you bought the car? IE: The car also has 8800 miles? If this is the case, the dealer should replace the tire. Typically even the most incidental failures even windshield wipers and light bulbs are covered in the first 11,000 miles of new car ownership.

If the tire was a second time around, who did you buy it from? I know the Tire Rack will take care of such failures as indicated in the warranty brochures that come from them, AND BFG in regards to workmanship.

Let us know, and by all means, be carefull at this point driving it. The full size spare (if you have a 300A will fit nicely on the front. Document and take a good digital picure of the tire before you dismount it.

My father in law has been driving (FOR NEARLY A YEAR) with a horrible bulge on his front left tire (AUDI S4) as a result of the dealer mounting a directional tire backwards. This has nothing to do with you, us, nor OUR tires, but I thought I would just pass this on as I have begged him to fix it, and he seems very unconcerned. :rolleyes:

[gilby04]

Replaced my passenger side front rim & tire at 8925 miles.
No subsequent problem encountered with Traction Control.
Never bothered to contact L/M dealer or BFG dealer regarding possible warranty tire replacement as my ********* tolerance quotient is quite low.

[CRUZTAKER]

Replaced my passenger side front rim & tire at 8925 miles.
No subsequent problem encountered with Traction Control.
Never bothered to contact L/M dealer or BFG dealer regarding possible warranty tire replacement as my ********* tolerance quotient is quite low.
You had a similar problem....?

Elaborate.

[gilby04]

You had a similar problem....?

Elaborate.

Southbound on I-75 in Detroit, Nov '04.
While cruising at 70MPH, a Golden Retriever comes out of nowhere.
In swerving to avoid the dog, I hit a huge pothole in the curb lane.
Tire bead was pinched between rim & pothole.
Tire bead was distorted, not cut, but raised a small bulge.
Rim was not bent, but scuffed pretty good.
New tire & used rim (like new) was $520...I guess not too much to spare the life of someone's treasured canine pal !

[MENINBLK]

Noticed on my front drivers side that I have a nice bulge on the tire sidewall running from the rim outward. Its a good 3/8" high, 1" wide. With 8800 miles do I just replace this one tire? do I worry about it? Stopped at the dealer hoping for some sort of help on it but they said it is impact damage, therefore my responsibility. Me or my wife dont remember hitting anything hard, the car is quite babied. So.. any comments?

Get the tire off your car and a replacement mounted as soon as you can afford to do it.
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE DAMAGED TIRE !
Don't let whomever takes it off, dispose of the tire.
You can write to BFG, and they may ask you to send them the tire for diagnosis,
or to take the tire to a BFG Dealer for inspection.

[Matt In Detroit]

The tire and car have 8800 miles on it. The LM dealer did suggest we go to a tire dealer and see if they might "handle" it for us. The rim is not bent or scuffed and the car does not pull. Im confident it did not take a bad hit. Ill stop by a tire dealer and maybe another LM dealer to see if i might get lucky, otherwise ill replace it myself.

[CRUZTAKER]

The tire and car have 8800 miles on it. The LM dealer did suggest we go to a tire dealer and see if they might "handle" it for us. The rim is not bent or scuffed and the car does not pull. Im confident it did not take a bad hit. Ill stop by a tire dealer and maybe another LM dealer to see if i might get lucky, otherwise ill replace it myself.
Sounds like a defect tire. Particularly if you didn't swerve to avoid a critter....:P

I personally would push the issue.

Good luck. :up: