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Michelin Bulge
This is being passed around social media and claims a Retrobrand failure caused this problem.
This from Pat at Michelin…
This is an “air infiltration”, which happens when there is a compromise/nick in the inner liner and the air pressure is trying to escape. Possible causes are ignored nail holes, bead damage during installation, or inner liner damage from other items like running golf balls, or loose parts from a disabled runflat device. There is always a cause for this type of damage.
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7 Replies
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That is an extreme example, but it shows how critical the integrity of the thin inner liner has to be protected.
A faulty puncture repair (a plug and an inner patch is required) or a nick in the inner liner from something as simple as misuse of a tire iron can open a path for air in the tire to travel extensively between plies and cause a tire failure.
A brand new tire can fail in a very short time period if there is any nick or hole that allows air to escape through the inner liner.
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Just my opinion …tire busters have inflicted more careless tire handling then you’ll ever know. Never shows up until it has time in hot – cold changing temps.
AL
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Al … that’s a very profound statement. Subtle, but profound.
In the last couple of weeks I’ve learned:
- that a tire buster can install a tire slightly off center if not careful and essentially have the tire ruin (out of balance) within a modest distance.
- a runout gauge should be used to ensure the tire is mounted squarely and properly on the wheel the issue above doesn’t happen.
- a nick on the inside of the tire by the tools used by the tire buster can ruin the tire before its event mounted on the vehicle.
- if a plug is used, an inside patch must be used also (I had heard that before, and now I’m reminded again.
So … how do we ensure that our expensive tires are being mounted correctly without insulting the tire buster doing the work or shop we take out coach to?
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I think it is a given some service providers, in this case tire changers, cop an attitude when a non-professional offers advice or criticizes their work.
Tough. As a customer you have every right to protect yourself, your coach and your wallet and if you object to people mis-handling a repair or abusing your tires, as an example, say something.
If the morons can read, if they give you any lip ask them to read the Michelin commercial tire handbook.
It is a sad commentary that we feel we may have to stop people from doing the wrong thing to our coach, or making an inappropriate repair, but the bottom line is they don’t have a penny in them so they likely just do not care. Make them care.
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This isn’t exactly on the same subject, but I think illustrates a point in this discussion.
A couple of years ago I was having the oil changed in my Jeep Cherokee Sport at a Kauffman Tire shop, now Mavis Discount Tire, in Fayetteville, GA, and as the technician was getting the Jeep pulled into the bay I stepped into the office for a minute. When I walked back into the shop I observed the tech trying to pry one front corner of the hood loose from the latch with a tire iron. I screamed at him to stop but he continued prying at it until I got close enough to make a lunge toward him that made him stop and jump back. I was considering, at the moment, using a tire tool on something other than a tire. What he didn’t know is that the hood release when pulled releases first one side and then the other. He hadn’t pulled it far enough to release both sides. In his prying he cracked the fiberglass radiator shell.
This just proves, or illustrates, that there is a cross section in all types of shop technicians. Don’t ever think that every shop with a sign hanging outside has the best in their hired help. There’s here, as well as everywhere, the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’ll do well to keep both eyes on them and don’t do business where the establishment won’t allow it.
Again, just my two cents worth.
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We feel your pain. I hope the shop fixed the damage. In our nine county area we have emissions tests for cars and diesels. Taking in an older car, i just cringe. They tell you to get out of your car and go to waiting room. I tell them come find me if they have questions. I still watch them suffer trying to figure out where a 1984 Lincoln Mark VII gas flap release is. Or how to open a hood on a 1989 Jag XZj6 sedan
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Great example why I do ALL my own maintenance as much as possible !!
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