Sidewall failure issue
03-15-2010, 12:35 PM
#1
4th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sidewall failure issue
I have replaced my right rear tire three times in the last 3 years - all sidewall failures. I initially suspected it was the tire (Bridgestone S02), but they are wearing well in the other three positions. I have also noticed a more pronounced burning rubber smell coming from the rear right position after driving, more often in wet conditions. No odor from other wheel positions. I have had the car checked by 2 Porsche dealers and a high performance specialist - all say that the alignment is fine, wheel is in good shape, etc. but I am convinced there is something causing heat to build in the tire, eventually causing sidewall failure. Any ideas?
--Kim
--Kim
03-15-2010, 01:05 PM
#3
RL Technical Advisor
Hi Kim,
One needs a LOT more information in order to offer anything plausible about your tire issue.
Is your car lowered? if so, by how much?
Do you check tire pressures weekly?
Do you have a recent alignment printout?
Is their ANY signs of rubbing?
Are you losing the inner or outer sidewall?
Without these and any other details, its hard to offer anything constructive.
One needs a LOT more information in order to offer anything plausible about your tire issue.
Is your car lowered? if so, by how much?
Do you check tire pressures weekly?
Do you have a recent alignment printout?
Is their ANY signs of rubbing?
Are you losing the inner or outer sidewall?
Without these and any other details, its hard to offer anything constructive.
03-15-2010, 03:39 PM
#4
4th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Steve, and thanks for your reply.
- the car has not been lowered
- I'm not religious about checking pressures, but I try to do so every 2-3 weeks, especially since I just moved from Texas to Virginia. That said, I have maintained a pretty consistent tire pressure over time.
- I just got an alignment printout last week when the new tire was installed, and all ratings were within spec.
- I did not see any sign of uneven wear or rubbing on the most recent failed tire, however, I did see marked inside tread wear on the last tire that was replaced. I had an alignment after that.
- I haven't had a sidewall blowout, but there are signs of distress along much of the inner sidewall of the most recent tire that failed.
I appreciate any help you can suggest; I haven't been able to solve this mystery even with the help of Porsche mechanics up to this point. However, now that I am on my third tire, I have got to believe there is something wrong with the vehicle, and not the tire.
Thanks again for the insight.
Kim
- the car has not been lowered
- I'm not religious about checking pressures, but I try to do so every 2-3 weeks, especially since I just moved from Texas to Virginia. That said, I have maintained a pretty consistent tire pressure over time.
- I just got an alignment printout last week when the new tire was installed, and all ratings were within spec.
- I did not see any sign of uneven wear or rubbing on the most recent failed tire, however, I did see marked inside tread wear on the last tire that was replaced. I had an alignment after that.
- I haven't had a sidewall blowout, but there are signs of distress along much of the inner sidewall of the most recent tire that failed.
I appreciate any help you can suggest; I haven't been able to solve this mystery even with the help of Porsche mechanics up to this point. However, now that I am on my third tire, I have got to believe there is something wrong with the vehicle, and not the tire.
Thanks again for the insight.
Kim
03-15-2010, 04:23 PM
#5
Instructor
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The failure is due to heat and not abrasion? Is it possible the brakes for that wheel are dragging or carrying more of the braking load causing more heat to build in that wheel. If this were the case and it was severe enough it seems the car may pull to that side or pivot around that wheel under braking. How about the e-brake?
03-15-2010, 04:39 PM
#6
4th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It very well could be abrasion; I haven't gone down that road since it hasn't been mentioned as a possibility by any of the folks who have looked at it. Thanks for the suggestion!
