Need help with tire problem

[lechip]

Need help from tire experts....
I have Good Year Wrangler RTs on my 99 XLT and I've notices that they are starting to show wrinkles on the side walls. They aren't bulges but actual wrinkles right above the lettering. they have 40K on them and still have some tread life. Should I replace these now? I do alot of highway driving.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

please post a picture of your tire or of one similar and we'll try to help you out further!

-Drew

 

[lechip]

Unfortunately I don't have the ability to take pictures and post. It's really more like a dent in the sidewall - I probably should just replace the tires. Thanks...

 

[unpredictable1]

I had the same "dents" in my Wrangler RTs. The tire guy said it was normal from how the tire is put together, and I later heard this from other reputable tire sources. These "dents" went from rim edge to tread starting edge. Almost like a leather coat being put together its not always one large piece of leather.

If its these kinds of "dents", you're ok. I just replaced my Wranglers because when I had her in for an alignment and wheel balance they couldn't balance the tires because I had tread separation starting to happen. Upon closer look myself, I sure did!

I do alot of highway driving, have 2 small kids with another on the way...no chances to be taken and new tires were put on.

 

[lechip]

I had the same "dents" in my Wrangler RTs. The tire guy said it was normal from how the tire is put together, and I later heard this from other reputable tire sources. These "dents" went from rim edge to tread starting edge. Almost like a leather coat being put together its not always one large piece of leather.

If its these kinds of "dents", you're ok. I just replaced my Wranglers because when I had her in for an alignment and wheel balance they couldn't balance the tires because I had tread separation starting to happen. Upon closer look myself, I sure did!

I do alot of highway driving, have 2 small kids with another on the way...no chances to be taken and new tires were put on.

Thanks for the information. I believe the dents I have are similar to what you have described.

 

[unpredictable1]

No sweat man - to be honest with you I think you just see these grooves a bit more as the tire gets older, I'm not sure.

But I honestly thought my tires were shot, but when the owner of a tire shop and then another couple more autoshop places said the same thing....then I knew it was legit. (I was ready to spend the cash on new tires right then and there)

Granted the fellas who said this were older seasoned mechanic types because the younger fellas I ran into at the wheel shop where I got my tires said they never seen those /dents/grooves before.

 

[toypaseo]

Maybe this will help...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=32

 

[unpredictable1]

Exactly, and that was what was passed onto me - if if were a line-bump sticking out instead of an inwards groove, then theres a prob.

 

[jimbo74]

im a retired tire expert, lol and agree wit htwat the otehrs said

 

[james t]

It is just the cord splices, that is all. It shows worse on tires with thinner sidewall rubber.

 

[lechip]

Thanks for all the replies. You guys are a wealth of knowledge.