I just got out my all season rims and tires and went to put them on when i noticed that one had a slice in the center tread line, they are general ameritracs, the slice is angled and cuts down through the thickness of the tread, the entire width of the tread lug, and just barely into the base of the tire (it might not even be into the base, but its dang close), i bought these tires used last year and they have alot of tread on them so i dont want to have to buy a new one. What can i do to fix it or is it ok. i just dont want a blow out.

 

If it doesn't start chunking on you, I'd say it's ok. If it hasn't knicked a belt, the tire isn't going to blow. Your tread goes all way down to the base.

 

Alright, ill have to pry up on the cut flap and see if i can see a belt or not. and i the way that it is cut, i put it on the front passenger side so the slice is facing backwards on the tire so that the slice flows with forward movement of the tire.

 

got a picture for us?

normally slices aren't bad exactly all the time...just not desired. I personally would put it on the rear axle, but I guess there has been some debate about which will give you better control in a blow-out

 

I usually dont worry about slices in the tread, but this is the first one i have had that went as deep at the thickness of the tread and slightly into the base. Do they make a sealant or somthing i can use to seal it up?

Here are two pictures of the slice, i ran a bright green line next to the slice, i pried up on the top flap of the slice to look down in, but its hard to pry it up real far, i could see something down at the bottom of the slice, i dont know if it is just a spec of the cord showing or a small peice of sand/dirt.

 

that looks like its **** all. i wouldnt worry about it

 

can we get a wider shot of your tread pattern?

almost looks like that is part of a tread block seperation



anyways, I'd just check it periodically, and replace when the $$$ is there. Tires are one of those things you just shouldn't mess around with IMO

 

I'd probably say you're okay. I had a chunk of my sidewall missing from my last off-roading excursion. The guys at the tire shop said I was cool and that "the KOs are just about indestructable. Something that "small" is nothing for these tires."

-rockstate

 

even if it is down to the belt, there is still a liner that actually seals in the air, may be rot, used tires are unknown tires. imho

 

I personally put alot of value in having excellent tires, so I would search craigslist for a matching replacement. Go back some years ago and there was a huge recall problem with tread separations on ford vehicles where the drivers lost control and were injured or killed. The pics show a tire which could easily get worse to the point of failure rather quickly. A tow would cost as much as a tire.

 

I dont really think its tire seperation because of how clean the slice is, its not like a rip, it looks like if you took a peice of rubber and cut it with a razor blade, it may look a little different in the picture but its a nice clean cut.

 

I was trying to say it would be a good starting point for a tread separation to happen there, and I personally would want piece of mind erroring on the safe side. Possibly nothing will ever happen, but since tires are rather inexpensive , I would swap it out anyways. Or , how about swapping it and that be your spare strapped under the truck?

 

If it were my tire, I'd replace it. It could be a place for tread separation to start. I don't mess around on tires, steering and suspension components, and brakes. Those are safety items that I won't cut corners on. Tire Rack and Discount Tire probably have them at a reasonable cost.

Greg B

 

ya get what ya get when you buy used tires...remember you get what ya pay for

 

Well my local tire shop has another used one with the same tread left on it so it will match the rest of them. I checked over all the other ones and the rest of them are fine. I will change it out. I actually put my ATs back on last night cause im going on a short trip this weekend and would rather not deal with a flat!