paradocs98

Figured my curb-hopping track brethren might know the answer to this one. I have a set of 19" OZ Leggera wheels mounted with Pilot Sport 4S tires on my 2017 Audi S3. Wheel and tire set is only a couple of months old, from TireRack. I hit a big pothole today with the passenger front tire.

Unfortunately, the wheel is nicely bent. Still holding air, but needs to be repaired or replaced. I called a trusted local wheel repair shop that said they could likely straighten it, but may have to repaint it as well. At this point I'd rather spend the extra $ and just replace the wheel with a new one. The question is whether I should replace the tire as well. There isn't a large bubble in the sidewall, but the sidewall does protrude very slightly at the impact spot. Whether this is due to the wheel simply being out of round at that location, or due to structural damage to the tire itself I don't know. I've read that even dropping unmounted tires from a height can do damage to the steel belts, so I wouldn't be surprised if an impact great enough to deform the wheel would also damage the tire's steel belts/carcass. Any thoughts or experience with this?

Steve113

You answered your own question. You just want us to agree for moral support

Badly bent rim and a tire that now shows signs of sidewall damage = a disaster waiting to happen
Buy a new tire, sorry

paradocs98

Words from my ontrackinsurance Steve--say no more. Will get new tire.

mark kibort

can you post picture of the tire and sidewall.. the sidewall doesnt have the steel belts, but the tread area does. a pot hole doesnt usually damage the tread side. the rims bend relatively easily. the tire might be perfectly fine. you will be able to tell when its off the rim.

fstockcarrera

As a rule, if you suspect any part on your car that your driving 130+mph down a back straight TOSS IT. Don't pick pennies up in front of a
steam roller.

Gofishracing

Sounds like Mark is interested in tire. Have it inspected- you'll see damage my guess. Stress marks. scarring inside.

TXE36

I am so stealing that!

To the OP, about the only use for that tire is for a roller while the car is stored - clearly marked.

-Mike

stownsen914

Let me share my lesson learned on this. Years ago I had a minor bump against a guard rail that caused a small bend in a wheel. No other damage apparent. I dismounted the tire, examined it carefully inside and out, decided it looked "good', and put it aside for remounting after fixing the rim.

Apparently the tire damage was not evident on visual inspection. At the next event, said tire blew out in a 100+ mph turn. Luckily the car and I were fine.

My advice is to not use tires on track that have experienced a hit hard enough to bend a rim.

Scott

paradocs98

"Don't pick pennies up in front of a
steam roller." Priceless. Pun intended.

This is a wheel and tire on my S3, which is purely a daily driver--no track time for this little rocket. Still, I don't want to be at highway speed in traffic with my family in the car and have a damaged tire let go on our third-world roads around here. Already ordered a new tire. Thanks, all.

TXE36

If you have room to store it, leave it on the rim. Things like this are handy if you get a normal flat and don't want to leave the car up on a jack.

I've got a couple of roller rims/tires - if I do this long enough, I'll have a whole set.

-Mike

dan212

repeating the previous comment - replace the tire. But consider replacing the pair. How many heat cycles on the tire in question? If it is new with just one or two heat cycles, you can get away with a single replacement, but if you are half way through its cycle or rubber tread life, consider replacing both.

Steve113

Bob has the best lines ask him about the big and little circles he deals with everyday

paradocs98

No bueno

paradocs98

Bueno!

Replaced and good to go. Thanks everyone!