NA: pothole damage

GeorgeC

GeorgeC

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GeorgeC
I hit a pretty big pothole on the beltway a few weeks ago and just noticed that the tire is bulging a bit. Looks like the wheel might be bent. It holds air and drives fine; balance and alignment do not seem to be affected. Do the tire and/or wheel need to be replaced? If so, can it wait a couple thousand miles until the 30k scheduled maint at the dealer?
 

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I would have it repaired now. Knowing my luck, if i attempted to stretch it out something would give causing me to be stranded on the coldest night in the middle of nowhere.
 
Me?

Change it now...or at a minimum take to to a tire shop and get their take...I have had a few tires over the years that I thought were going to be trashed they simply repaired.

Looks like broken steel belts and if that is the case...it is gonna fail you.

Edit: That rim is toast. I missed the flat spot on my phone screen...
 
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You have a belt separation. The belt(s) that go around the tread area of the tire have separated from the casing. Air is in between these layers and it can blow out at any time. Do not drive it, put the spare on and have the tire replaced.

The rim is an alloy of Al, silicon and several other metals. Some can be fixed, and some can't. It may also have radial play as well as axial play(wobble), and when that happens it usually can't be fixed. Look in your local area for wheel repair or ask the tire shop for recommendations.

Do not drive it anymore with that tire on the ground.
 
GeorgeC said:
Do the tire and/or wheel need to be replaced?
Click to expand...


Yes and yes. You "might" get a specialist to straighten the wheel, but not always. Last time I checked, this service was $150. The tire is unsafe and un-repairable.

New factory wheel on a Jetta TDI was $450. Tire was $190.

2 new factory wheels on a G35 Coupe was $1,800 (took out one side). Tires were $400.

Low profile tires might "look" good...but the ride, cost, and inability to take a hit SUCK.

Good luck...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
pbramlett said:
I would have it repaired now. Knowing my luck, if i attempted to stretch it out something would give causing me to be stranded on the coldest night in the middle of nowhere.
Click to expand...

With a belt separation, just getting stranded is the lucky result. This is a spin-out waiting to happen.
 
Depending on the value of the wheel and your deductible, you may want to file an insurance claim for this.

Tire's a disaster waiting to occur; the wheel? Probably toast, but I bet the majority of these are left in service.
 
Thanks for the responses, it's getting fixed ASAP.
 
You can check ebay for used wheels sometimes too...
 
ggroves said:
Yes and yes. You "might" get a specialist to straighten the wheel, but not always. Last time I checked, this service was $150. The tire is unsafe and un-repairable.

New factory wheel on a Jetta TDI was $450. Tire was $190.

2 new factory wheels on a G35 Coupe was $1,800 (took out one side). Tires were $400.

Low profile tires might "look" good...but the ride, cost, and inability to take a hit SUCK.

Good luck...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Good answer....:yes:
 
And don't forget to file a damage claim with the city or whoever is responsible for maintaining that road. They may pay for the repair.
 
DaleB said:
And don't forget to file a damage claim with the city or whoever is responsible for maintaining that road. They may pay for the repair.
Click to expand...


Virginia DOT told me to pound sand. Not their problem.


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Get a new wheel from Craigslist and then go to your local tire store and get a tire. ASAP. Don't drive it.
 
ggroves said:
Virginia DOT told me to pound sand. Not their problem.


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Click to expand...

Interesting: our "news" wboc.com had a story yesterday about pothole damage. Said VA and MD will pay for damage, while DE says not responsible. -1-800-367-7623 is the number they gave to call for VA
 
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Flymeariver said:
Interesting: our "news" wboc.com had a story yesterday about pothole damage. Said VA and MD will pay for damage, while DE says not responsible. -1-800-367-7623 is the number they gave to call for VA
Click to expand...

Bureaucrats have been rumored to lie to the media from time to time. Shocking, I know...

-Rich
 
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