Tyre issue

Pieoter · 05-09-2005, 05:21 PM

As I got home today, I noticed that my car was driving strangly so I decided to take a look at the tyres and on the right rear I noticed something strange. I took some quick spans with the phone.

What do you guys reckon it is and whats happening to the tyre.

joshf2 · 05-09-2005, 05:54 PM

have you exceeded the speed rating of the tyre?? ;)

Mal · 05-09-2005, 06:11 PM

Sidewall damage. Looks like it has a small cut in front of it. You've hit something that's staked it, or someone has had a go at it. It could have been a manufacturing fault, but it looks like that cut may have something to do with it. Basically it's weakened it and the air is buldging out causing the bump. It'll be handling poorly because it's unbalanced I would suggest. Replace it. It might do nothing, or it might split, heat up and blow out causing you to end up somewhere you don't want to be. Officially I would call it unroadworthy as it is.

Guestimates from looking at the photos anyway. I could be wrong, but. Hope it helps.

MAD · 05-09-2005, 06:18 PM

I'd say your issue with handling is that someone has driven quite hard into a gutter, or pothole and put your alignment well out of whack. The damage to the sidewall is the other result of the hit, but not the cause of the bad handling.

Teki04 · 05-09-2005, 06:33 PM

I think Cypher had the same problem.... or similar with the side wall.....

joshf2 · 05-09-2005, 06:51 PM

glad to be getting rid of mine asap

Pieoter · 05-09-2005, 06:57 PM

I am the only one that drives the car and I can safetly say there as been NO hit's into gutters or potholes. The only thing I can think of if I glanced a round about but it was very softly.

Teki04 · 05-09-2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieoter

I am the only one that drives the car and I can safetly say there as been NO hit's into gutters or potholes. The only thing I can think of if I glanced a round about but it was very softly.

LOL, if you remember doing that.... it was probably the cause..... The fiesta was made for corners.... next time, go AROUND the roundabout

svo347 · 05-09-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshf2

have you exceeded the speed rating of the tyre?? ;)

What?? in those little cars ...
Flamesuit on...

joshf2 · 05-09-2005, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svo347

What?? in those little cars ...
Flamesuit on...

aww cmon, dont tell me youve never rolled a car down a steep hill out kalamunda way??

Scareybear · 05-09-2005, 07:38 PM

Definitly looks like impact damage to me, maybe that roundabout was harder than you thought?

svo347 · 05-09-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshf2

aww cmon, dont tell me youve never rolled a car down a steep hill out kalamunda way??

Yer but there was no-one in it at the time

:

GROOV3 · 05-09-2005, 09:29 PM

tyre might of had a weak defect from new and hit to many pot holes etc grazed a round about or hit a speed bump quick and the tyre is buldging /egging, def needs to be replaced

Pieoter · 05-09-2005, 09:45 PM

This happened more than a week ago (about a week and half). I doubt it was the cause as it only came up today and the impact was very soft. The tyre itself has been dodgy for some time with is loosing pressure slowly.

I need the car to get to school. Do you guys think it would be safe to drive it the 20minutes trip there and back? I could ask my friend for a lift if it is dangerous.

svo347 · 05-09-2005, 09:52 PM

Hard to say it might last months or just hrs.
Dont you have a spare ?

Teki04 · 05-09-2005, 11:14 PM

Use the spare..... or take the bus?

Pieoter · 05-09-2005, 11:20 PM

The fiesta use temporary space savers. It's not really an option.

Timmeh · 05-09-2005, 11:33 PM

That happened to me in my Focus on my 15s - as they say, it could last either an hour or a month.

Even something really insignificant can do it, sucks, but what can you do...

Get it replaced as soon as you can, it should be ok for a day trip, but there's always the risk it will blow out.

Tim

Danny · 06-09-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmeh

That happened to me in my Focus on my 15s - as they say, it could last either an hour or a month.

Even something really insignificant can do it, sucks, but what can you do...

Get it replaced as soon as you can, it should be ok for a day trip, but there's always the risk it will blow out.

Tim

Yeah, and a Damaged alloy is no fun at all!

outback_ute · 06-09-2005, 10:18 AM

How many km has the tyre/car done? You might try going to a tyre dealer of whichever brand tyres they are, and see what they can do about it. I wouldn't be driving that on the freeway as it is, but take it easy if you do drive it.

Teki04 · 06-09-2005, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieoter

The fiesta use temporary space savers. It's not really an option.

TEMP spare wheel is saver then driving on that tyre.... ive used it for a short distance, i have no complaints.....

Cypher · 06-09-2005, 01:21 PM

My tyre side wall failed as well as some of you know. Pie, you might be lucky and get it replaced as it has not failed yet.

Bridgestone are very reluctant to do anything for you. With mine, they put it down to the valve failing (which may or may not have been the case as when the tyre went down, the bottom side of the valve is exposed and gets damaged). So thats the only thing they can point it to. I thought valves were warrantable, but apparently they are not according to bridgestone. Also, when Ford customer service rang Bridgestone on my behalf, the got abused for questioning their tyre expertise. Bridgestone just dont care. There was some admission that these tyres have had sidewall problems, the ER30. Suprisingly enough, none of these tyres were available in the country during August.

In the end, I said F it as I am going to sell it so I couldnt be bothered. I wont be buying any more Bridgestone tyres any time soon. No doubt you can tell I am a little bitter about this.

Interesting that you mention that the tyre was leaking pressure. I dont know what the cause of this is. Incidently, you may be lucky and get a result. At least the tyre did not fail on you which is a bonus of sorts.

Pie, maybe give ford customer services (Ford CRC) a call on 133 673. If it helps you, I can give you my case number, pm me if you want it. If you go to Bridgestone I can also pm you my case number for reference and a contact at Bridgestone as he dealt with my case. Just ask me on msn.

Incidently my tyre was also located on the righ hand side.

Edit: The cracking that your tyre seems to be experiencing is consistent with what the cracks look like on mine.

Mine had 19,800km on it when it failed. The tyre orignal was equipped to the front right and moved to the rear right at 15,000km. I dont think many more of us have this many km so maybe a problem has not surfaced yet.

mitch_lx · 08-09-2005, 10:39 AM

The space saver is extremely dangerous. i drove with it on for around 4 km doing about 40kmph and ive never felt such an unstable and unsettled car in my life.

joshf2 · 08-09-2005, 05:24 PM

the space saver is designed to get you short distances to get the original fixed.

if it was "dangerous" then it wouldnt have been allowed to be fitted to the car.

Timmeh · 08-09-2005, 05:30 PM

I think the space savers are speed restricted anyway, the manufacturers certainly don't approve of their use at normal operating speeds and conditions. It's to stop you walking the 300kms to the nearest tyre shop and carrying a new one back, because you didn't want to lose an extra 3cm of bootspace.

Tim

Teki04 · 08-09-2005, 05:56 PM

In regards to the spare.... i used it to get to my local tyre shop, and i dont see any harm in using one. You just have to be aware the car might feel different, but mind you it wasnt unstable. Only thing that was a pain in the **** is putting the Spare back on.... you will NEVER be able to screw it! lol. I got a new screw ordered today under warranty, as mine was bent?!

Cypher · 08-09-2005, 06:10 PM

Spave savers are rated at max speed 80km/h. I drove on mine for about 40km. No problem but in the rain, its a little sketchy!

svo347 · 08-09-2005, 06:11 PM

Too bad if your like 400k's from nowhere @ 80km/hr

joshf2 · 08-09-2005, 08:22 PM

steal someones wheel and use it to replace your space saver

Scareybear · 08-09-2005, 10:41 PM

technically space savers are illegal, i.e. different sized wheel and tyre fitted to car....... but 'technically' spare tyres are'nt a roadworthy item. But if it gets you out of trouble, its done its job.

Oh, try not to wear them out either, VERY expensive to replace.