Hit a curb, tire damage, replace or not?

[jjrock5]

I believe I've pretty much made my mind on this but would still like the DSMer opinion.

Was taking a right hand turn out of a parking lot and wasn't paying attention when I turned too much and jumped a curve with a sharp corner on it.

Here's the damage:

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Does this merit a new tire? They quote me $130 for new Fuzion HRi out the door.

What do you think of the wheel?

 

[Achelea]

Just 3 questions for you out the door.
1.) How many miles on the set?
2.) How fast were you going?
3.) Know anywhere to get a replacement wheel, or that one repaired?

 

[jjrock5]

They came with the car when I bought it last August. Ive put about 15K miles and they looked new when I got the car.

I was going about 5-10 MPH

No I dont know where to get a replacement wheel (I guess online maybe) or where to get it it repaired.

Do you think the wheel is that bad?

 

[blkgst97]

As long as its just down to the rubber and you cant see any belt exposure its just cosmetic and you should be fine. Just keep an eye on it and see if it starts to bulge.

 

[jjrock5]

Ah man!!! That "should" doesn't make me very comfortable.

 

[shadoof77]

does it still hold air?

 

[jjrock5]

Yea still holds air. This happened like 2-3 hrs ago.

 

[shadoof77]

ohh you wont find out for awhile because it might have a very slow leak. if the rim is messed up in a way the tire wont seal right around the lip... gota just sit a wait. and usually whenever you replace a tire for AWD you replace them all. depending on the other condition of your other tires

 

[jjrock5]

Damn what worries me is if it's safe to do ride around like this. How thick is the wall of a tire usually?

Is it made to take this type of abuse or scarring?

 

[timmy]

That is a good speed to hit a curb. I would also check your tie rods and lower A-arm to make sure it didn't bend and throw the alignment off. I would also junk that tire. Sidewalls are thick for a reason, any piece of rubber missing and or flapping isn't good. Eventually a bubble will form and potentially blow during the warm summer months.

 

[jjrock5]

Yea I agree. I'll chech that later. I am just pondering the idea of getting the tire replaced or not seeing as that I am thinking of going in a few hrs to get it it done but want to know of it's really necessary.

 

[shadoof77]

i'd wait to see if it start to go flat before going anywhere to far away from a air compressor. and if it holds up and you dont have the cash now, just keep your spare tire back there. I don't know if you plan on getting new tires soon anyways. just dont go making sharp left turns. it could bend the tire and could cause it to crack in the spot, in which case you'd be replacing your tire. depending on the rest of your tires and they're in pretty good shape, you probably will only need to replace that tire. if it was me... i would ride the tire out til it breaks . but thats just me. other people have the money to throw up front right away. Just keep an eye on it everyday. it may not go flat tomorrow, or maybe not even the next day. it could take a week.

 

[housegsx]

I had a gash in the same exact spot once on one of my cars. It never lost air or blew, I didn't bother replacing it. I think they build in a little extra rubber in that lip for just this reason.

Sucks about the wheel though.

 

[jjrock5]

On stuff like that makes me feel better. I'm gonna crazy glue that chunk just so at least it doesn't fall off. Yea I don't like the wheel damage but I can live with it.

 

[gieri002]

It will be fine, my father owns a junk yard and I've seen far worse, if you ever cut into a tire and examine the sidewalls they are pretty damn thick. All you have is cosmetic damage. I would just super glue the flap and move on with life.

 

[BoredDSM]

On stuff like that makes me feel better. I'm gonna crazy glue that chunk just so at least it doesn't fall off. Yea I don't like the wheel damage but I can live with it.

Crazy glue would be a bad idea. It makes rubber brittle and can crack easier like it does with most plastics. I would suggest rotating that tire to the rear so if anything were to happen while driving it would be easier to control the car. Having a bad tire in the front would make you loose steering or temporarily cause you to swerve depending on how fast you were going.

 

[gieri002]

I have always used 3M windo Weld to repair tires, it is very flexible and will NEVER let go!

 

[jjrock5]

Crazy glue would be a bad idea. It makes rubber brittle and can crack easier like it does with moth plastics. I would suggest rotating that tire to the rear so if anything were to happen while driving it would be easier to control the car. Having a bad tire in the front would make you loose steering or temporarily cause you to swerve depending on how fast you were going.

Yea good call. I think I'll use WindowWeld like the other poster suggested.

Thanks guys.

 

[crash89]

I did the same thing recently. I was F@#$ing pissed!! Not only did I damage 2, yes TWO of my 18'' Motegi rims but they are discontinued. So unless I find some online from a private party or a store that has a couple leftovers Im screwed!!

But as far as your tire goes, it doesnt look too bad. I wouldnt worry about it. Get a new one when you can, dont feel obligated to do so..

 

[PieEyedPiper]

As long as its just down to the rubber and you cant see any belt exposure its just cosmetic and you should be fine. Just keep an eye on it and see if it starts to bulge.

This will be the professional opinion of most shops. I'd just glue that shit down rock it till it starts to leak (if).

However, I have a personal policy that dictates any damage to the sidewall is lame and therefore must be replaced. I'm not game for a spirited drive when I have a 3" gash in my the side of my tire. An expensive mistake, for sure.

However, yours only appears one inch...

 

[gieri002]

^+1, I can't stand knowing that there is an imperfection somewhere on my car. You will be fine untill you need to upgrade though. That's 3m windo weld by the way, you can pick it up at pretty much any auto parts store although its pretty spendy for your application.