Wasn't that your car the cops were chasing when they put the spike strips down?.,,
Never seen this before
- Thread starter Finklejag
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Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
That is an open tread splice - where the slab of tread rubber ends overlap and it is opening up. The appearance of the tread splice can be caused by many things, but ultimately it's the result of a manufacturing deficiency. It can lead to the tread coming off, but usually not.
It is an adjustable condition and a tire dealer should adjust any tire with this condition without hesitation.
^^This^^
We call this an "open union" [literal translation] in Spanish, I don't know what it is called in English. It is a 100% adjustable condition unless it is accompanied by signs of overloading/under inflation. I see this condition quite often, it seems to show up mostly in 3rd tier tires.
That is an open tread splice - where the slab of tread rubber ends overlap and it is opening up. The appearance of the tread splice can be caused by many things, but ultimately it's the result of a manufacturing deficiency. It can lead to the tread coming off, but usually not.
It is an adjustable condition and a tire dealer should adjust any tire with this condition without hesitation.
^^This^^
We call this an "open union" [literal translation] in Spanish, I don't know what it is called in English. It is a 100% adjustable condition unless it is accompanied by signs of overloading/under inflation. I see this condition quite often, it seems to show up mostly in 3rd tier tires.
Just returned from America's Tire. They checked it out and said it's from road damage. The damage only goes down 3/4 of the thread block. They said the tires are safe. I guess one of the railroad tracks, bridge expansion joints, etc, was the culprit.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Finklejag
Just returned from America's Tire. They checked it out and said it's from road damage. The damage only goes down 3/4 of the thread block. They said the tires are safe. I guess one of the railroad tracks, bridge expansion joints, etc, was the culprit.
Sounds like you have two knowledgeable folks on here saying that it looks like a defect, while who knows about the credentials of the person telling you no.
While Id assume they too have seen this before, but Id not take no for an answer at this point.
And Id contact the manufacturer with high-res pictures.
Just returned from America's Tire. They checked it out and said it's from road damage. The damage only goes down 3/4 of the thread block. They said the tires are safe. I guess one of the railroad tracks, bridge expansion joints, etc, was the culprit.
Sounds like you have two knowledgeable folks on here saying that it looks like a defect, while who knows about the credentials of the person telling you no.
While Id assume they too have seen this before, but Id not take no for an answer at this point.
And Id contact the manufacturer with high-res pictures.
I'd have to agree with Capri and Cardenio. I've seen this many times on commercial truck tires that have been improperly re-treaded. That'd have to be one razor sharp railroad track to 'cleanly cut' 3/4 into the tread without chunking bits of rubber out; take a [dull] knife from the kitchen and try to recreate that...I can clearly see where the rubber looks as if its overlapping, hard to describe in words
Originally Posted By: Finklejag
Just returned from America's Tire. They checked it out and said it's from road damage. The damage only goes down 3/4 of the thread block. They said the tires are safe. I guess one of the railroad tracks, bridge expansion joints, etc, was the culprit.
As usual, America's Tire staffs excellent macho tire salesman, but are often worthless when it comes to the more "difficult stuff." I've been down this road with them before, so this does not surprise me - they're cheap for a reason.
CapriRacer is knowledgeable in this area and I would take his advice seriously. Hopefully Kumho USA steps up to the plate.
Just returned from America's Tire. They checked it out and said it's from road damage. The damage only goes down 3/4 of the thread block. They said the tires are safe. I guess one of the railroad tracks, bridge expansion joints, etc, was the culprit.
As usual, America's Tire staffs excellent macho tire salesman, but are often worthless when it comes to the more "difficult stuff." I've been down this road with them before, so this does not surprise me - they're cheap for a reason.
CapriRacer is knowledgeable in this area and I would take his advice seriously. Hopefully Kumho USA steps up to the plate.
my thoughts on the first pic were that it would be impossible to cut a sipe (left hand side) so narrowly that it actually parted, without removing a chunk, and then that the line across looked lore like a "flow" than a horizontal cut.
CapriRacer had, IMO, the most sensible fit for the damage seen.
CapriRacer had, IMO, the most sensible fit for the damage seen.
Originally Posted By: Finklejag
Just returned from America's Tire. They checked it out and said it's from road damage. The damage only goes down 3/4 of the thread block. They said the tires are safe. I guess one of the railroad tracks, bridge expansion joints, etc, was the culprit.
Are you the only driver or do you share the car? I would be concerned that someone ran over something and hit it with all 4 tires and never noticed it or reported it.
Just returned from America's Tire. They checked it out and said it's from road damage. The damage only goes down 3/4 of the thread block. They said the tires are safe. I guess one of the railroad tracks, bridge expansion joints, etc, was the culprit.
Are you the only driver or do you share the car? I would be concerned that someone ran over something and hit it with all 4 tires and never noticed it or reported it.
Originally Posted By: Finklejag
I'm the only one that drives my car. Kumho warranty center contacted me. I emailed them the pics. The engineer department will look at them and get back to me.
I think Kumho will replace these tires, but I not sure who will pay for installation and balance.
I'm the only one that drives my car. Kumho warranty center contacted me. I emailed them the pics. The engineer department will look at them and get back to me.
I think Kumho will replace these tires, but I not sure who will pay for installation and balance.
Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
It is an adjustable condition and a tire dealer should adjust any tire with this condition without hesitation.
I'm not the brightest person here, but have to ask: How do you adjust tires?
It is an adjustable condition and a tire dealer should adjust any tire with this condition without hesitation.
I'm not the brightest person here, but have to ask: How do you adjust tires?
I think he means "adjust" in the sense of "pay out to make right with the customer"...i.e. replace under warranty...like an insurance adjuster decides what is to be paid out...
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Kumho finally called me back. The engineer said it's cosmetic. They are safe. As a goodwill, they will prorate the tires for me. The guy at America's was going to give me $44.00 prorate per tire. I have 6/32nd on them. I wonder if Kumho would give me more per tire? The woman at Kumho said for the tire shop guy to call her with the readings.
Seeing they are safe to drive on. I still don't have $400.00 for a new set of tires right now. I like the 4X's, but I might switch back to another brand next time around.
Seeing they are safe to drive on. I still don't have $400.00 for a new set of tires right now. I like the 4X's, but I might switch back to another brand next time around.
Originally Posted By: Finklejag
Kumho finally called me back. The engineer said it's cosmetic. They are safe. As a goodwill, they will prorate the tires for me. The guy at America's was going to give me $44.00 prorate per tire. I have 6/32nd on them. I wonder if Kumho would give me more per tire? The woman at Kumho said for the tire shop guy to call her with the readings.
Seeing they are safe to drive on. I still don't have $400.00 for a new set of tires right now. I like the 4X's, but I might switch back to another brand next time around.
Make sure you hold onto that reply from Kumho in your records. As a matter of fact I would politely request that they send you that diagnosis by snail mail signed by the engineer that reviewed the photos.
It may be a minor defect but just in case.
My guess is that IF Kumho refuses to send that snail mail signed letter, they will replace those tires at NO cost to you.
Kumho finally called me back. The engineer said it's cosmetic. They are safe. As a goodwill, they will prorate the tires for me. The guy at America's was going to give me $44.00 prorate per tire. I have 6/32nd on them. I wonder if Kumho would give me more per tire? The woman at Kumho said for the tire shop guy to call her with the readings.
Seeing they are safe to drive on. I still don't have $400.00 for a new set of tires right now. I like the 4X's, but I might switch back to another brand next time around.
Make sure you hold onto that reply from Kumho in your records. As a matter of fact I would politely request that they send you that diagnosis by snail mail signed by the engineer that reviewed the photos.
It may be a minor defect but just in case.
My guess is that IF Kumho refuses to send that snail mail signed letter, they will replace those tires at NO cost to you.
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