Can you tell if this is due to a factory defect?

[highjeeps]

I had a blowout on one of my MTRs recently out on a relatively mild trail (trail to Coke Ovens) and I'd like to determine if its due to a factor defect or just reckless tire placement on my part. I took some photos of the tire and the rip. Can anyone tell from the pics if this could be a factory defect?

http://aycu17.webshots.com/image/17976/2004149785506030604_rs.jpg
http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/16683/2004153000138723406_rs.jpg
http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/16450/2004194852658674674_rs.jpg

TIA.

Oh, and it was at 15psi when it blew.

[jpotts]

I'm no expert, but I guess that it would depend on the situation. What were you aired down to? Do you know what did it? I'm guessing that it was a really sharp rock?

[jpotts]

Oops, I missed where you said you were aired down to 15 psi.

[ob1jeeper]

Side wall cut due to a combination of lowered tire pressure, and finding a sharp rock onto which to impale the sidewall...

That is in no way a defect in the tire carcass...;)

[highjeeps]

Side wall cut due to a combination of lowered tire pressure, and finding a sharp rock onto which to impale the sidewall...

That is in no way a defect in the tire carcass...;)

I was just wondering because it happened so unexpectedly; didn't rub on any really sharp rocks and the air pressure was only at 15 psi.

I've punctured some sidewalls before out at TM (BFG Muds and PJ Dirt Grips) on some of those sharp rocks. That's partly why I went to MTRs (heard they were stronger side walls).

[06GrnRubi]

Looking at the last picture, it appears that some rubber is pushed inward of the tire. That would tell me that it was caused by an outside source and not a defect.

[SavageSun4x4]

I have to agree with the other folks, it looks like a slice resulting from and external object, rock, piece of metal etc and fabric is clearly pushed inside the tire itself.

[highjeeps]

Looking at the last picture, it appears that some rubber is pushed inward of the tire. That would tell me that it was caused by an outside source and not a defect.

Actually I pushed the left side of the tear inward a little relative to the left side so as to make the tear more visible for the photo. Also, when it blew, the Jeep was on an incline so I had to stuff a bunch of plugs into the opening so I could get to a level spot and change tires. In other words, the pushed in rubber seen on the inside could have been cause by the plug insertion tool, but who knows.

However, if this looks like a perfectly normal sidewall tear, then that's fine. It just looked like an odd spot to me, so close to the thicker, protruding part of the sidewall, and it blew on a relatively smooth trail.

[highjeeps]

I'm no expert, but I guess that it would depend on the situation. What were you aired down to? Do you know what did it? I'm guessing that it was a really sharp rock?

No sharp rocks where it let loose, but perhaps ealier or even some other trail I could've scratched it and it decided to let go at this spot.

[FrenchChili]

It's an MTR thing, ask Jamie(WindDanzer) :D

[RickBeer]

It is a (trail) road hazzard:D
Something punctured the sidewall in the right place & opened the tire up between the ply's of the tire if you look very close you will see the cords on both sides of the cut looks like thread... the remaining air pressure made the tear down the sidewall aka zipper effect
The ply's run radius (up & down) if this was a bias tire the plys would have a criss cross pattern making them stronger in this situation
Did you have the certs for your 37's

[fatbob309]

Did you have the certs for your 37's

Are you guys getting them in? I was told that it will be a month or two to get my new 37...

[jpotts]

It's an MTR thing, ask Jamie(WindDanzer) :D

Maybe I just got lucky with my MTRs, but I've had them on every kind of rock and in some nastyness. There are slits in many places in the sidewalls, but none have made it all the way through. I've had them for about 20000 miles.

[highjeeps]

It is a (trail) road hazzard:D
Something punctured the sidewall in the right place & opened the tire up between the ply's of the tire if you look very close you will see the cords on both sides of the cut looks like thread... the remaining air pressure made the tear down the sidewall aka zipper effect
The ply's run radius (up & down) if this was a bias tire the plys would have a criss cross pattern making them stronger in this situation
Did you have the certs for your 37's

Certs? What's that?

[lancetkenyon]

Certs? What's that?

:eek: Don't tell me you don't have Certificates for replacement! Should have bought at Discount Tire!:o

[highjeeps]

:eek: Don't tell me you don't have Certificates for replacement! Should have bought at Discount Tire!:o

Got 'em at 4 Wheeler Supply a year or so ago. Don't remember getting any Certs.

[Wind_Danzer]

I don't know if 4 wheelers certs theres but I know KI can get replacement MT/R's from discount with my discount certs for about $58 a tire including siping.

[highjeeps]

I thought I would finish the story on this.

Although I was able to find and get a new MTR for $300+, I just couldn't scrap the torn one so I took it out to Robert's Tires (Power and 202) and they did a section repair on it. It looks like a pretty decent fix and it should suffice for an off-road spare.

http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/18514/2002043652231307672_rs.jpg
http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/16983/2002043614658030872_rs.jpg
http://aycu14.webshots.com/image/18453/2002021242739955709_rs.jpg

[1BLKJP]

Larry, What did that run you to have it repaired? I've had a couple tires that I would've like to have kept for emergency backup if I knew something like that was available.

[highjeeps]

Larry, What did that run you to have it repaired? I've had a couple tires that I would've like to have kept for emergency backup if I knew something like that was available.

It cost $50. I didn't think that was too bad considering the price of a new one.
I've tossed a lot of tires in the past (BFG Muds and PJ Dirt Grips) when they got sidewall tears. I should have done this before with those - would have saved me some bucks.

[azshtr]

I had discount replace all 4 of my mtr's that had sidewall rips. They didn't blow but all had tears like this. I was told it was from low air pressure and high torq that stressed the sidewall. All 4 were replaced on warranty.