A few days ago, I noticed a slight shimmy in the back of the car. I checked the air pressure on the rear wheels, and it was okay. I was particularly concerned about my left rear, since I had picked up a nail sometime ago. Then yesterday, when I was driving it started to shimmy even more. I stopped and looked at the tires, again, pressure was ok, but I did notice the weights (the things to help balance- sorry for my lack of tech. knowledge) had fallen off of the left rear. Thinking this the cause, I continued on home. It was so bad, that fearing damage to parts of the car other than the wheels (and my kidneys, I might add), I pulled into a nearby Goodyear tire shop. We put her on the rack, and found that the left rear tire had bulged on the inside. It was rather grotesque looking.

While waiting for my spouse to bring my old spare S02 (thankfully I kept it) we took the tire off and examined it. While I thought the nail was a concern, it had nothing to do with it. It did not even go through and it was smack in the center of the tire. However, the inside corner of the tire was almost paper thin. This is what was causing the bulging.

The tires have about 5k on them, even wear, and aside from two Dragon runs and a spirited Wilmington meet, no aggressive driving. My first set of rear tires, I was able to get an astonishing 18-19k on them. I also get frequent alignments and balancing at the dealership.

What could have caused this? Heat and humidity? Defect? I would like to figure this out since I now need to get another set, and if this is common for the S02s, should I rethink them? Hopefully this is a rare case.

 

my friend had the exact same problem with some tires ...i think they were nitto's though....but on his prelude. i always wondered what the hell happened too?!?!

 

Damage from the tech installing the tire due to its very stiff side wall/Or big f@#*ing pot whole I've had S02's on the Rx-7,S4 and running them on the Rs America and have never seen this problem!?

Hope this helps,

P

 

I had the same thing on my s02. It was the passenger side rear. Ok This is from driving with low tire pressure. At one time the tire pressure was to low. It can take only 4 or 5 miles. I have seen this three times on s02's with the s2000. All three including mine had a nail in the middle of the tread. I have seen it hundreds of times on other tires the main cause riding with low low air pressure. Not sure If a nail in the center of the tread
has anything to do with the s02's bulging. But its not a defect just a characteristic of some tires.

 

I would agree with Italian that the wear pattern inside the tire, as well on the sidewall looks like wearing from excessive heat build up, often due to low inflation pressure.

Alex

 

I keep the pressure in the 30s, usually 32-33. Is this not correct?

 

It is difficult to tell for sure. This could have been a situation that has built up over time. It could have been from the nail you mention and then the tires running on low air pressure for a period of time. If there were litle rubber marbles on the inside it very well could have been from excessive heat. If you have a Bridgestone/Firestone tire dealer in your area I would have them take a look to see.
I also sent the pictures to one of the managers here to take a look at it.
If he comes up with anything I will post it.

Jim