Learned about Tread Separation

[GPModJ]

I took a trip in the GP to the "mainland" this weekend and on the way back the car developed a bit of a shimmy between 25 & 30 MPH. Because I was on the way back and almost at the ferry terminal, I thought I'd have a look when I got back home. So I drove the rest of the way. After all, the shimmy seemed to go away completely above 50 MPH or so.

I had a look when I got back but didn't see anything obvious. Yesterday morning I took it into a local shop where they could get it up on a hoist and when you rotated the driver's side wheel, there was an obvious bulge in the tread. The tread had separated from the tire in that one patch.

I shoulda been crapp'n myself on the way back. I cruised for a bit at 75 MPH and had the car up to about 85 once or twice. Hmmm... wonder what would'a happened if the tread had let loose? :shock:

[Red_Rider]

Just think about the Goodyear tires on those 18 passenger vans, Explorers, Expeditions, etc. and be glad you are not that top heavy. Basically, all of the roll-over problems were tread separation issues due to bad construction or excessive heat.

Consider yourself lucky and remember, a running ture-up is for a miss or fouled sparkplug, not a shimmy that could be failing tires or steering.

Glad you are still around with your GP ModJ, a 69 was it?

[REED_RACING]

I've read tires should be replaced every six years.

[THOR]

GPMod, We're glad that nothing bad happened here, a blowout at high speed is a dicey situation at best :(

What type of tire is this >?

[GPModJ]

Red Rider: Yep, it's a '69. Glad Im' still around too.

Reed: Not a bad idea. I"ve heard the same too--that even tires that have sat around for 7 years should be discarded.

Reed / Thor: That's the other thing--they're some no-name brand tire I got for "free." They sat around at a friends place for who-knows-how-long and I used 'em because I didn't have the cash at the time for some new ones.

So, I cheaped out and used some no-name tires that'd sat 'round for ages. Hmmm... Think there's a lesson here?

If all goes well, I'll have some TAs & drag radials installed by early January. I got a good used tire for the one that failed until I've got the new ones.

[THOR]

Like the michelin ad with the baby in diapers goes, "because you have so much riding on your tires"



I have some old 50 series bias ply jobbers laying around that were on my Judge when I bought it, they must be at least 20 years old, I guess I'll simply save 'em as garage/shop art but I'd never run the car on 'em again !