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Sidewall bulge in new tire

Started by Dan LeBlanc, June 15, 2019, 08:05:12 PM

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Dan LeBlanc

New Suretrac Power Touring tires with less than 500 miles. Really hard to see in the photo but there's a couple of small bulges in the sidewall of one tire about 18" apart. None of the other 3 are this pronounced but have a couple tiny raised spots each.

Is this just how the tire was built and I'm just paranoid or is it failing?
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

The Tassie Devil(le)

Did you post the correct picture?

All I am seeing is some gouging marks that could possible have been caused by too much contact with a curb.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

Dan -- what type of tire is this -- radial or
bias ply?

On a radial that's usually the mark of a cord
separation.  I've had that happen to me but it
was a tire that was 15 years old that I should
have taken off sooner (my '73 Eldo). 

This type of failure usually happens after a
stint of highway driving at speed, tire will be
hot to the touch.

On a new tire like yours, poor quality manufacturing
is the cause.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

Dan LeBlanc

Quote from: The Tassie Devil(le) on June 15, 2019, 08:16:00 PM
Did you post the correct picture?

All I am seeing is some gouging marks that could possible have been caused by too much contact with a curb.

Bruce. >:D

It was really tough to get a photo showing it. There's no scuffing on the tire. Didn't hit any potholes either.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Dan LeBlanc

Quote from: Mike Josephic  CLC #3877 on June 15, 2019, 08:20:11 PM
Dan -- what type of tire is this -- radial or
bias ply?

On a radial that's usually the mark of a cord
separation.  I've had that happen to me but it
was a tire that was 15 years old that I should
have taken off sooner (my '73 Eldo). 

This type of failure usually happens after a
stint of highway driving at speed, tire will be
hot to the touch.

On a new tire like yours, poor quality manufacturing
is the cause.

Mike

Yes, these are radials on the 77
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

hornetball


Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

I'd have to see it in person but I now recall back in the day, the tire shop I do business with used to keep a poster on the wall regarding visual tire deformity that may occasionally appear on new tires but it is benign and does not compromise the tire in any way.
A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute

Dan LeBlanc

I'm starting to think it may just be a deformity in the white wall. If I feel the blackwall on either side of it I can't feel any deformity. I just did a 35 mile highway jaunt and the tire doesn't feel any warmer than the others.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Tony and Ginny 429

I strongly suggest you change that tire for a new one
You could be preventing further damage to the car if you have a blow out happen especially if a front tire

Enjoy
A lentini
1964 Classic Antique Cadillac convertible De Ville
With comfort control
In my family from day one â€" the keeper
For 55 years

savemy67

Hello Dan,

As Eric mentioned, radial tire sidewall undulations were a known manufacturing characteristic back in the day.  Attached is a service bulletin from Cooper Tire describing said condition.

The severity of the undulations is variable - from hardly noticeable to "what's wrong with these tires?".  Given that your tires are new, it is less likely that the undulations are a defect.  However, be on the safe side and try to recall if you or someone else hit something.  If all four tires exhibit undulations, it may be that this is a characteristic of SureTrac tires in this size.

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher Winter
Christopher Winter
1967 Sedan DeVille hardtop

JerRita

For safety and peace of mind I would definitely bring it back to the dealer asap   
Jerry and Rita Trapani #15725 Caddymaniacs

59-in-pieces

Dan,
I see the deflection of the whitewall.
Since you did not encounter pot holes or got too close to a curb and cranked the power steering - get rid of the tire.
Why debate a possible failure.
It and they are not going to heal themselves.

Have fun,
Steve B.
S. Butcher

Dan LeBlanc

I searched high and low for a replacement to match the other 3 (they seem normal compared to this one and tires on other vehicles I have including the new Michelins on my F350).  It seems as if the 225/75/15 have all but disappeared.

I found a tire shop in Phoenix that still has some and ordered one.

I pulled my spare today for the first time to check pressure. It's a vogue, on a wire wheel, left behind by a previous owner in a 235/70/15. It takes special lugs and washers, so if I would've gotten a flat, I would've been screwed.

Thankfully I have spare rims kicking around, so this one will make it's way into the trunk as a spare and the new one will go on the car. It should be good enough to get to a tire shop if something happens.

For the record, it was on the left rear.

Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

Christopher -- thanks for posting that info.

I read the paper written by Cooper Tire.  It draws
a clear distinction between what they call "undulations"
and a bulge in the sidewall.  Undulations are indentations.
A quote from the article:

"Sidewall indentations are purely a visual characteristic and will not affect the performance of the tire.  If bulges, rather than indentations, appear on the sidewall or if there is any question concerning the sidewall appearance, the tire should be removed from service. A knowledgeable tire dealer or the manufacturer's representative should be contacted."

In other words, bulges are not to be taken lightly.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

Dan LeBlanc

I've attached a better picture that shows it.

The replacement will be in on Thursday, according to FedEx.

That article from Chris was very informative. The other three tires definitely have undulations and not bulges.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

The Tassie Devil(le)

G'day Dan,

That is a better picture, and what I thought were marks on the tyre, were actually the marks in the concrete.

I have washed my eyes out.

Bruce. >:D

PS.   No, that is not a good look, and I too would be replacing the tyre.
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

59-in-pieces

Being the resident contrarian - a deviation (undulation or indentation) resulting from the tire manufacturing process - by any other name is a defect, flaw, imperfection, blemish, weakness = a possible disaster waiting to happen.
I'm not sorry, but when a manufacturer tries to explain why his process is producing less than consistent results - take that with a grain of salt, and not to the bank.
If there is any chance that the inconstancy/defect in such a critical component of a vehicle could fail - RUN (yes on foot) for your life.

Have fun,
Steve B.
S. Butcher

Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

The tire manufacturer would be exposing itself to extreme liability by making public statements regarding tire safety if they were found to be untrue.

To my knowledge, no tires have failed due to the issue described in Cooper Tire's missive and I never heard of tire failure due this specific cosmetic defect nor of any major lawsuits arising from accident or injury.

Leaving that aside, the problem with Dan's tire is definitely a bulge which is a different story. That tire I would definitely not use. 
A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute

59-in-pieces

IMHO, this horse still has some life left in it.
With all due respect, all roads lead to Rome, and no matter what the rationals, the tire or tires should be replaced.
A great many settled law suites for injury or loss of life rarely see the light of day, and/or ever make it to the public's attention because of non-disclosure agreements.
These opinions were brought to you by the guy who wares a belt and suspenders, and occasionally crazy glue to hold up his pants.

Have fun,
Steve B.
S. Butcher

76eldo

Looking at the 2nd pic it's clear that you have a defective tire.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado