WTB: 1 OEM RE-92 165/65/14 Tire - New or Used

Artric · 03-05-2011, 04:48 PM

My tire decided to explode on my ride home in the wee morning hours before the sun rose. I called Bridgestone and they sent me to a Firestone shop to look at it. He found a hole in the center of the tread, and said that it's completely normal for a tire to rip itself to shreds like the pics below.

Anyway, I'd be interested in buying a new or used (maybe a pair) of the stock tires. Used must have significant treadlife left, of course. Might consider buying one already mounted on rim to have a spare.

Let me know what you've got, or if you know about any deals for buying one new, please! Also, any deals on buying the Michelin Energy Savers would be great as well...

And for the pics:

peeled by Artric, on Flickr

PS: I had a Firestone tire completely peel itself bald on me when I was 17, flipped the car over multiple times. I'm lucky as hell to be alive. Was driving 60MPH when the above happened, significantly faster when I was 17.

**freezin4** · 03-05-2011, 11:47 PM

Just curious, what tire pressure were you using in it?

My local tire shop quoted $110 mounted, balanced and out the door for one tire.

Artric · 03-06-2011, 12:27 AM

That's a little more than I'd like to spend right now, if possible. I was hoping someone might have a spare and want to clear some garage space. But if I have to, I will.

I was running over stock PSI, but not enough to cause a tire to explode!

**satchel** · 03-06-2011, 11:46 AM

You can get a spare rim and used tire from Brent in Ohio for about the price freezin4 quotes. #11 2000 - 2006 Honda Insight OEM Wheel Rim Tire LRR - eBay (item 280631488881 end time Mar-19-11 01:17:15 PDT)

Less than a month after buying a spare from him last year I hit a chuckhole and damaged a rim beyond repair. I have another in reserve now just in case. I'm actually sacrificing carrying the weight now to have it as a full sized spare given that I end up making 400+ mile trips(one way) for my work.

Artric · 03-06-2011, 09:33 PM

Satchel,

Thanks for the recommendation, but I'd already seen those. They're specifically listed as fully bald

. I think I'll send him a message though to see if he has any others...

Right Lane Cruiser · 03-06-2011, 10:37 PM

Yikes! That's a mess!

Looks to me like a lot of that damage was after the blowout -- the rim can do a lot of damage to a tire with no pressure, and high speed flexing will cause significant heat fatigue to the materials. (By the way, most blowouts are caused by low pressure in the tire allowing the sidewalls to flex enough to get heat fatigue... just like a rapidly bent paperclip that breaks at the point of bending. If you feel that location just before or after the break you'll find it is quite hot.)

I'm glad you are OK!

Artric · 03-06-2011, 10:56 PM

Well, one reason that I'm looking for a used tire is that when I finally land full-time employment, I'm going to get away and stay away from this company for good. Firestone/Bridgestone has had two stabs at my life so far.

They say the third time's the charm. I'd rather it not be. I actually thought these would be different than the Firestones as they're made in Japan, aren't they? But they're still shit quality.

If I have to take a MPG hit, I'll take the hit. Friends don't let friends ride Bridgestone/Firestone. That'll probably make it into the signature sooner or later.

**freezin4** · 03-06-2011, 11:35 PM

PM sent.....

Artric · 03-07-2011, 11:40 AM

Crossing my fingers, but looks like freezin4 has me covered. So grateful to him and to the community!

Relic · 03-07-2011, 01:35 PM

There are web like hairline cracks on my side wall on all four tires my tire shop identified when I took it in for an alignment after purchasing the car several months ago.

Naturally the tire shop wanted to replace them but it looked more like surface cracks to me. I may end up replacing them sooner rather then later seeing this.