I went out last night to put gas in the car. I must have driven over something on the way out because on the ride back I noticed that the car would not respond immediately to steering inputs. Got on the interstate (took the long way) and after 5 min I heard the dreaded thumping. Pulled over to the shoulder walked around the car and the right rear was on the verge of coming off the wheel. It was smoking and the burning rubber smell was nauseating. When I took it off I noticed three punctures on the inside sidewall but did not find anything obvious on the tread. Put the front right on the rear put the spare on the front and drove it home. A couple of questions?

The wheel looks Ok but is there any formal way I can check?

Could I hav done any damage to the limited slip differential?

I've got 2600 miles on the tires, do buy one or two tires?

Thanks

 

As far as I know, if there is no visible damage
to the wheel (scraps/stressed lacquer) it should
be okay.

You can check for buckles by gentle laying
both sides of the wheel onto something clean, such
as a table.


I'm not sure about the other points you mentioned.

I hope this helps

 

The differential should be OK. Only a few rotations with the tire flat. you definately did the right thing by putting the compact spare on the front and switching the front tire to the rear. I faced the same situation as you on the rear tire wear. had a sidewall puncture with about 2200 miles on the tire. I ordered two new rears, and kept the good one as a backup. If I have another flat, I can be rolling again pronto, and possibly match tread wear better. good luck.

 

Tex_S2K

I just talked to Connor at Tire Rack and he tells me the S02s (OEM) are backordered to June 11. Jees I can't wait that long. Do you have any alternatives?

 

I put a set of Yokohama AVS Sports (245/45 16) on, but they are not as good as the SO-2's. See the post on rear tires in this section. No real solution. We're all in the same boat. This backorder thing is part of the reason that I ordered two OEM tires instead of one. Don't want to go through this again.

 

I'm using the Pole Position's on the rear and really like them. They are not quite a sticky as the OEM tires but the break away is very progressive and they are very well behaved. Get the 245/45 size not the 225/50.

 

A visual check should reveal any damage. If your really anal (like me ) Find a good performance or race shop in you area. The process used on an aluminum wheel is called "Penetrant Inspection" and is considered a nondestructive test. Should run you about $20.00.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by David
[B]Tex_S2K

I just talked to Connor at Tire Rack and he tells me the S02s (OEM) are backordered to June 11.

 

David, I have a right rear with 4000 easy miles on it. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cthree
[B]I'm using the Pole Position's on the rear and really like them. They are not quite a sticky as the OEM tires but the break away is very progressive and they are very well behaved. Get the 245/45 size not the 225/50.