TIRES compound breaking down?

Vanderee · Senior Member

TIRES compound breaking down?

Baz421 · Guru

Vanderee wrote:
Tires have a life span, but how do you know when it's time to replace.?
Tear (horizontal) in the side wall of a Michelin 19.5 inch on motor home, plenty of tread looks like new, but 10 years old.
The tires look ok besides a few fine hair cracks on the walls. I replaced the front tires with new ones, the tire experts tell me
"use them old tires up on the duel rear wheels"; not so sure; also trying to save a few dollars before total replacement.
(Ignore the wife: "what did you hit this time' ?? I never did !!

See this article and photos Keith. Hair line crack may have turned into your "tear". If a tear you should see some rubber displaced due to whatever tore it,,,, cracked can be quite clean.

On dual not so bad as you have the other to back up and easier to control a rear flat than front normally.

http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/passenger/care/age.aspx

Hope this helps

PS Had light truck tyres on a box trailer for 20 odd years no problem, BUT as soon as showed signs of cracking off they came. An older Coopers I had on back axle of LC ute went out of round 90% worn and about 5-6 years old, done 60,000 odd KM, so not bad, just be aware of the issues.

PSS. Ah forgot to mention imp point,,, is it onlt the outer layer of rubber torn,, ie say <1mm as it may just be the cosmetic layer torn,,, probe with a blunt instrument to see. Ie open up tear a little with kitchen knife.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Monday 16th of June 2014 11:01:46 AM

Big Gorilla · Guru

Tires have a shelf life. Some will tell you 5 years, others 8 years. I had a rear wheel blowout on the Ipswich Motorway (QLD) late March. I was sitting on 95 kph. Frightened s%#t out of me. The tires were 6 years old and had over half tread. They looked ok from a visual inspection. I replaced all with Pirellis from Bob Jane. $175.00 each, a bargain. Each tire has a manufacturing date stamp on it. Sometimes it's hard to find. It reads like this "4810" It means the tire was manufactured in the 48th week of year 2010. Check your tires. If they are more than 8 years old it would be prudent to change them...

The link from Baz421 is a good one and it suggests replacement after 6 years.

-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Monday 16th of June 2014 11:04:51 AM

ozjohn · Guru

Keith,
Industry recommendation is 6 - 8 years depending on the tyre type, roads, loads carried, pressure, speeds, road temperatures, and if garaged under cover or in the open.
One must also take into account that many trailers/vans don't have shock absorbers so the tyre wall has to work a lot harder coupled with the fact that most aren't even balanced.
OJ

-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 16th of June 2014 02:52:00 PM

Legendts · Senior Member

I am just replacing mine on the van. Eleven years old, look brand new, covered about 30,000ks and always kept in a dark shed. Not worth the risk in my book to either my wife, self or potentially some unsuspecting family getting caught up in a blow out and end result, whatever that might be. I am lucky as I happened on Jax Tyres in Bundaberg who have brand new Bridgestone Duellers 265/75/16 for $190. They are called a change over tyre and come off Ergonomic vehicles where they remove the AT tyres for MTs. Very happy with that deal.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

The worry is they have tread so no one takes any notice..
We went on a trip from Sydney to Mt Gambier on way back we apparently got a flat and blow out about the same time..
Both TYRES had virtually no legal tread.. The tyres on rear other side was much the same..
Seems rubber goes HARD over the years.. Build up heat and the tread basically falls off !!
I keep a look out on my tyres now.. Yes Michelins are up there !!!

Vanderee · Senior Member

Thanks for all the advice guys. Much appreciated. Replacement is the safe way to go.
Safety before money . Giving Jax tires in Bundaberg a go. Thanks for the tips.

Legendts · Senior Member

I don't think you will be disappointed Keith.

Legendts · Senior Member

Ergonomic in my earlier post should read Ergon Energy. Tried to edit it but will not change, maybe because I am using an iPad as had similar issues on other forums.

Baz421 · Guru

Legendts wrote:
Ergonomic in my earlier post should read Ergon Energy. Tried to edit it but will not change, maybe because I am using an iPad as had similar issues on other forums.

Yep that's auto correct working for you,,,lol

Legendts · Senior Member

And.....not proof reading before hitting submit Baz!