dpetro1

EDIT: The tire was replaced free of charge. The bead was damaged during install.

Hey guys,

Just had 4 Falken ZE912's put on my 94 del sol vtec w/ gsr blades. 195/55/15 tires. Tires were installed Saturday, this morning I notice a huge bubble on the side of the tire, right by the bead. It is not losing air but looks unsafe.

Two questions:
1. What can cause this? Improper mounting? Manufacturer defect? I haven't hit any potholes or curbs
2. Is this safe to drive on until tomorrow? Or should I toss on the spare?

DELshaneSOL

may be associated with a manufacturing condition.
but they dont look new to me

farfrumugen

could be it was mounted without lube and got hung up and tore at the bead, or from what i can see in the pic it may have been curbed. looks like a line in the rubber where it had been scraped against a curb or like i said mounted without lube. if you bought new then take it back and have a new one installed.
adam jeffery

dpetro1

lol, do you think i came on here to lie about the age of the tire? what about them doesn't look new? cause they are dirty? winter in MD = salty roads.

dpetro1

what about the pic makes it look curbed? The wheel isnt scratched nor is the tire?

my concern is that the shop is going to claim that this is a road hazard issue meaning i would have to pay for a replacement

DELshaneSOL

usually there's hairs on new tires
just saying don't get mad

i don't see any scratches where the tire is bubbled
has to be manufacture or mounting issue
and i think you would notice hitting a curb and or pothole to make a bubble (which you said you didnt hit)

turtleman321

It is a manufactures defect.

DO NOT DRIVE ON IT. THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF BLOWOUTS

this is called a separated tread. the belts in between the layers of rubber have come apart. Ever hear of the Ford vs Firestone lawsuits? basically firestone was supplying tires for Fords Explorer that had defects, separated tread just like the OP posted. about 20 people were killed and a lot seriously injured.

Neither company would take the blame.


EDIT. I was a mechanic for 3.5 years. This happens sometimes. That is why the shop is supposed to write down the tire serial number on the side and send in the warranty card for the tires. This way when one comes back separated like this one they can track batches, among other things. so just put your spare on, and drive back to the shop.

DELshaneSOL

and dont give them the old one this way they win twice
there probably gunna say i dispose of this and actually send it back

dpetro1

thanks for the reply. the shop did record the DOT serial numbers and they are on my receipt. i was worried they were going to claim it being a road hazard issue and charge me for the replacement

farfrumugen

i was talking about this line. could be salt. not the best pic of what im trying to see. i was a tire tech for over 4 years and am trained by Michelin at Michelin head quarters in SC. after being a tech i was the shop manager for an additional 2 years before moving out of the business. i have mostly seen this due to improper mounting. it did come in a few times as a manufacturers defect. it could be like the other poster stated about separation of layers but that normally doesn't pull the bead out from the rim like that. most likely the rubber on the bead tore during installation and damaged the bead beyond use. i do not recommend driving on it but instead document with pictures and copy the d.o.t. number off the tire for your own records. take it back to the shop and have them replace the tire free of charge. if they refuse then go else where and and buy another tire. contact the manufacturer and send in your documentation. make sure you keep the tire. they will have you take the tire to a certified dealer and the dealer will send it back for you. if the original place replaces your tire for free they will need the old one to send back for credit.
adam jeffery

turtleman321

They can't. They dont get reimbursed for the tire till it gets sent back and checked. so realistically they are out two tires till they send in the bad one


No problem.

dpetro1

added a better pic with the tire cleaned up.

farfrumugen

have you contacted the people you bought the tire from yet? that would for sure be your next move if you have not.
adam jeffery

dpetro1

Yup, had to wait for a new tire to be ordered in. The shop manager took the tire off and immediately noticed the bead was damaged. New tire was installed free of charge. Thanks for all the replies guys

farfrumugen

yeah when i was doing tires back in the day all the defects we seen didnt pull the bead like that. thats why i first said it was most likely bead damage that allowed air into the rubber. glad you got it fixed.
adam jeffery

motegicivic

I bet that was an install issue, incompetent installer.