Tyre Sidewall Problems?

[Playpen]

Hi All

 

Anyone else had problems with tyre sidewalls on the Shalaxy's ?

 

In May 05 had to replace front nearside tyre after it developed a large egg sized bulge in the sidewall. Now some 9 months/8k miles later the same wheel suffered a blowout yesterday (low speed, no drama thankfully).

 

Both tyres were re-inforced bridgestones and pressures were checked every month. As I don't drive the car regularly when I do I always notice the very firm/harsh ride over rough surfaces. Car's an 04 Sharan TDI 130 SE - which does have firmer suspension than other models in the range.

 

The alloy has been kerbed slightly by my wifes parking but would that really contribute to knackering the tyres ?

 

To me 2 similar failures in such a short time is either very bad luck or something isn't quite right in the suspension perhaps which causes undue stress on the tyres. Having said that the tyre wear looks pretty even.

 

I'd welcome your thoughts .....

 

Thanks

[seatkid]

Bridgestone tyres - aren't they made in Hong Kong?

 

Get yourself some decent tyres.

[Masked Marauder]

Bridgestone tyres - aren't they made in Hong Kong?

 

Get yourself some decent tyres.

Can't agree SK. Sorry.

 

When you kerb a tyre you can break the steel bands inside or de-laminate the layers of rubber. My money is on that being the problem.

 

If you must mount a kerb then do it very slowly and with the tread, not the sidewall.

[Playpen]

Bridgestone is/was factory fit by VW.

 

Also had Bridgestone on prev cars with no issues. But yes, probably will go for another make next.

 

Thanks

[Guest blatters]

It won't be the Bridgestones at fault:

 

- mounted as standard on Porche Cayenne

- mounted as standard on Lexus RX400

- mounted on my Galaxy (Turanza ER30) & been solid all the way.

 

But weird that you've had two failures so quickly. If you email Bridgestone they may well offer to have the tyre examined, especially if it's reasonably new.

 

Regards

 

Blatters

[tim-spam]

Kerbing damage is a strong possibility - after all, this is likely to affect the nearside tyre more than the offside. Do you regularly park against a sharp kerb?

[seatkid]

It won't be the Bridgestones at fault:

Thats the line Bridgestone took against the Ford Motor company..... (link)

 

But then I suppose Mike Schumacher thinks they're OK

[Playpen]

Thanks Blatters - good idea about getting in touch with Bridgestone

 

Tim-Spam - the wife drives it 6 days out of 7 and is the one who's kerbed the alloy :) however its not badly damaged and I've been keeping an eye on the condition of the tyres ever since the first incident. No obvious chunks of rubber missing from the sidewall until the blowout yesterday. I don't know of any obvious kerbs that she'd keep hitting :)

 

If it wasn't for the kerbing damage I'd immediately suspect the car or the tyre at fault - but I've not had this kind of issue in any previous cars including other MPV's.

[Masked Marauder]

It won't be the Bridgestones at fault:

Thats the line Bridgestone took against the Ford Motor company..... (link)

 

But then I suppose Mike Schumacher thinks they're OK

A single specific tyre SK, can you not do better than that?

[seatkid]

SK, can you not do better than that?

:o Some of you out there just get too serious at times! :P

 

My comments (somewhat glib admittedly) were purely my "opinion".

 

The 2 incidents reported by Playpen are probably not connected.

 

IMO,

 

An egg shaped bulge on the sidewall indicates the delaminating of the rubber and plies. I cannot imagine any kerbing incident that would be enough to compromise sidewall plies. An inspection of the tyre on removal might have revealed more. The only sidewall bulges I've seen have been on cheap and nasty tyres (some remoulds).

 

Blow outs happen, but usually either because of wrong inflation pressure or more often driving over something that causes it. Again an examination should reveal the cause.

 

:) Maybe next doors dog has a particularly potent pee.. :)

[Playpen]

Perhaps its not a dog ...... :D

 

Thanks for all the replies !

[Guest thobbs]

if you think the alloy is *possibly* at fault, change the front tyres and rims to the rear and the rear's to the front... See how that goes, but as I think you do - just keep an eye on the wheels!

[Guest MATT]

well - i would just get the rim checked, stick a solid tyre on there, and tell the wife she buys the next tyre if she kerbs it again!

 

funny how everyone (excluding mumof4) blames the wife for the wheel kerbing lol

 

and guess what, every little bit of damage on my galaxy has nothing to do with me! :D

 

its all the wife's fault! either for nagging at me at an inappropriate time, or for driving a car she finds to big lol

 

MATT

 

P.s. son has not even scratched it yet B) so must be female thing only?

[Guest blatters]

Tis true Matt.

 

First scuff I noticed on the Galaxy was o/s rear wheel.

 

Couldn't be me, me thinks. Investigation begun. Wife was judged guilty. Couldn't get hard evidence but decided to convict on the basis of 'beyond reasonable doubt'. B)

 

Wife not happy. But that's justice for you. :D

 

One week later noticed that I may have kerbed it myself (complicated story but something to do with where the car gets positioned for the weekly wash). :D

 

Hmm, admit to personal fault or keep quiet? B)

 

Went for honesty. Painful to start with but worth it in the long run. :D

 

Blatters

[Guest MATT]

:D

 

you don't half see some wired maneuvering when your driving around!

 

Morrison's car parks, and multi stories have got to be among the worst!

both have posts that you cant see, both have spaces that are only wide enough for the axle, both have doddery old men and woman, who cant drive, and people walking around like mummies/pheasants "run me over" as the dart out in front of you!

 

only difference is, on the multi - you have the addition of concrete pillars, and on Morrison's the dreaded trolleys

 

MATT

[Guest vr6galaxy]

 

Morrison's car parks, and multi stories have got to be among the worst!.........

............, both have doddery old men and woman, who cant drive..........

Which part of the inhabitants descriptions do you fit into ? you must spend a lot of time in these places to notice the type of person that frequents them!

I didnt know Morrisons had a section for plastic shed parking :D

[mumof4]

so must be female thing only?

 

Hmmmmmmm.....don't think so!!! :D

 

funny how everyone (excluding mumof4) blames the wife for the wheel kerbing lol

 

Never is our fault....other buggers to blame for putting the kerbs/posts/other cars in the way! B)

 

and woman, who cant drive

 

Woman are better drivers...why else do we get CHEAPER car insurance?? :D

 

Went for honesty. Painful to start with but worth it in the long run.

 

We will never let you forget it if you blame us and it turns out it was you! B)

[Guest V6KID]

I would suggest try changing the tyres instead of the wife! Just replaced my front 2 today with Michelin Extra Load again after @ 20K and no problems at all.

Got a bargin @

[greg_68]

I would suggest try changing the tyres instead of the wife!

nah cover your options and change the both of them. :lol: