So I found a place a lot cheaper than kwikfit to do tyre repairs and took it there today and they said I shouldn't worry about it. See the picture, but basically I saw there was a bit of metal stuck in the tyre a few days ago and took it off straight away and put on the spare, because the metal had cut the tread, but not punctured it. I wouldn't be worrying if it was the raised tread but the groove bottom is cut too, should I be worried, is there anything I can do? (They said they couldn't do anything)

Sorry about the poor picture, my phone decided to focus on the edges not the middle of the picture :rolleyes:

There's plenty of tread left so it's definitely economical to repair it. Any second opinions would be great, I do not want a blowout on the motorway because of it.

Ray

Edited 10 August, 200719 yr by Ray2k

Some black RTV will have it looking good as new. If it's only a slight cut then it's nothing to worry about really.

It really depends on how much damage its done,the rubber is irrelevant - thats not structural.

But you cant inspect the steel and canvas belting.

Still,i expect it's absolutely fine. But it might be an idea to put it on the back axle anyway - where its subjected to less than half the stresses,except speed-loading.

Thanks both, it was on the back left anyway so I guess the safest place to go.

I've just had a look with a screwdriver and I can see a bit of metal when I pull the cut back, can't see more than a glint but it doesn't appear damaged.

What I'd like to know is if it was to develop a problem would it be a slow leak or blowout? If the former then that's not so bad. I guess if the belt is intact (as you say) the structure will still be fine?

Thanks again

Both blowouts I've had witnessed (1 I was driving) were caused by damage to the sidewall not the tread/top of tyre...one was a combination of cracked, brittle, old 1978 tyres not inflated enough...the other by excessive wear and heat on inside of tyre from it wearing against a coilover. I wouldn't worry about that little cut.

If a blowout does ever happen, best thing to do is stay calm with a firm grip on the steering wheel and pull into the hard shoulder and brake to a stop gently. (If you're unlucky enough like me for it happen on the motorway, I prefer it that way though tbh, better than a country road)

Rubber blocks would shed first,so if you hear a thump from that arch,it might be worth looking at the tyre. I've had a few flats,one being a full scale blowout on the motorway,in an Escort. The rear view was one of a thousand black speks in a cloud of blue smoke,combined with serious instability,and calm nerve to take the car to the shoulder and bring it to a halt. And it was a healthy-looking tyre. But it was quite easy,really.

But that was failure of the inner structure.

The tyre blocks would likely shred in the case of failure on that tyre,but it still wouldnt blow out on that alone - i really doubt you'll have a problem.

I've had a couple of blow outs before (one at 75!) and tbh mine didn't feel as bad as I thought they would. They were both on the front as well. But as Charlie says, if it happens just be calm and move yourself over to the hard shoulder as swiftly and safely as possible.

Here's the mk1 on original tyre blowout result...

Needless to say when I got Dennis Derby on the road the first thing I changed was the wheels for some steelies with decent tyres, though did it pass the MOT on the old ones, which iirc were original...they're some michilin badboys which got taken off sale because they actually didn't wear out, rubber was too hard so instead of wearing they just went brittle and cracked with age!

Here's the mk1 on original tyre blowout result...

Needless to say when I got Dennis Derby on the road the first thing I changed was the wheels for some steelies with decent tyres, though did it pass the MOT on the old ones, which iirc were original...they're some michilin badboys which got taken off sale because they actually didn't wear out, rubber was too hard so instead of wearing they just went brittle and cracked with age!

Funk me, bet that wasn't fun to pull over!

Thanks for the advice all, will put it back on tomorrow ready for a 120 mile motorway journey, if you don't hear from me after tomorrow you'll know where I am lol.

i was the sales manager for ATS and have been in the tyre industry for 20yrs and as long as its not showing any structural damage inside the carcus and you have probed the hole so as to ensure it hasent cut the cords or plys in the tyre it should be fine

had a rear wheel bearing lock at about 45 mph.didn't really notice much,slowed down a bit looked in mirror and saw a 40 yard black line behind me :-D

hypnotist - I can see some metal in it but from what I can see it doesn't appear to be damaged.

I put it back on today and had no problems on the motorway at up to 70mph for 120 miles, but will keep an eye on it.

Thanks for all the advice everyone :)

First of all you should not have taken out the metal. You should have taken it to a tyre place to repair. It should only cost a few quid. It is difficult to tell the direction of the cut of the carcass once you have removed it, making it difficult to seal again. I would not use that tyre until you have had a tyreplace to look at it

G40NUT I did take it to a tyre place and they said it was fine. It's not leaking any air so it must be sealed I guess? Only the rubber has been cut (admittedly, only as far as I can see)

G40NUT I did take it to a tyre place and they said it was fine. It's not leaking any air so it must be sealed I guess? Only the rubber has been cut (admittedly, only as far as I can see)

Ah sorry, need to wake up