Bulge in the tire. Is it a serious problem?

[mikeh]

I have a set of Goodyear Wrangler tires. I have a couple of raised spots right where the word Wrangler is on the outside of the tire. Is this a serious problem? Should I worry about it? The tire pressure is right where I want it so that is not the problem. It's more of a ripple than an actual bulge. I've had these tires for 50K now and they still look like they have a lot of life left. It's my right front tire. Should I move it to the rear so that I lessen my rollover chances? Is this common and nothing to worry about?

mikeh

 

[Maniak]

If it is actually a bulge, thats bad..

If it is just a slight indent it may be from the molding process.

If it was never there before, and now you have it, I would go to a discount tire etc and have them check the tire.. They will be able to tell if you have hurt the sidewall, slipped a belt etc.. or if it is just normal.

~Mark

 

[Campo]

Can you post a pic of it?

some one here might be able to look at it and give you a yea or nay...

 

[Alec]

It is probably a sign your sidewalls are beginning to wear out. A pronounced bulge is very bad, as this is usually predictive of a blowout. Ripples aren't as bad, though they can lead to severe damage.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I had this happen to two BFG's a while back. The bulge is caused by air leaking between the plies. This will eventually cause the plies to separate, so yes, it's dangerous.

You could probably get an adjustment if the tires were newer; since they have 50K on them, I doubt it. You should just bite the bullet and replace it. The sooner the better......

EDIT: If it's a fairly small ripple, running at a right angle to the sidewall, then it's normal. Most tires have these. If it's something new, and looks like a bulge, then it's not normal. Slight sidewall ripples are OK if they're part of the manufacturing process, but bulges are not.

 

[williecume]

i would think that it should be under warranty. i think it is a tire defect or manufacturing defect.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Originally posted by Runnin'OnEmpty
You should just bite the bullet and replace it. The sooner the better......

I agree. 50k miles on a set of tires is well worth it. Specially now, tire prices are so cheap its not worth risking the blow out.

 

[james t]

ok, two things-

1- if its ripples (small indented line) it is just were the cord splices are. this is normal, and shows worse on some tires than others.

2- if its an actual bulge, like a big bubble, then the tire has a small pinhole in the liner ply. the tire will have a slow leak. the air is pushing through the layers of cord and separating them. it will eventually blow a chunk of rubber out were the bubble is.

 

[conig]

Most of this has been anwsered, but I'll add my $0.02 from past experience.

I had a similiar expereince with my old svt contour. hit a manhole at higher speeds and left a bulge in the sidewall. I figured around the same 38,000 miles z rated tires might as well hold out until I get a new set maybe 2000 miles left on the tires. well about a week and a half after this happening I was driveing a country road about 20miles over the posted limit front right tire blows car slides into a tree. somehow my intake manages to tear through some wires on impact causeing an electrical fire that ended up totaling the car.

I guess its just as well as I got 5 traffic sitations in that car in little over a year, but I still find myself missing and wanting the car back. It was too rare of a car at too good of a price to get another one.

so now I'm paranoid about tires. also I'd like to advise that tires can get expensive, but its your contact patch with the road and one of the most important aspects of any vehicle.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

but its your contact patch with the road and one of the most important aspects of any vehicle.

That is so true!

 

[99SportX]

My dad's 99 Mountaineer has the exact same tires and all four have the indented lines going staight out from the center of the wheel. Should they be replaced? They only have about 25k miles on them.

 

[james t]

no, they are fine. the indented lines are were there is a cord splice in the tire. some tires show them more than others.