really old tyres

[Roscobbc]

To reinforce the advice given about tyre life and why one shouldn't use them.........I have a set of BFG's sitting in my garage which were probably bought in new in 1980 or 1990.
They still hold air and my plan was to put them back on the car purely whilst the car is parked-up outside (covered by a tarp) whilst the front suspension is being rebuilt, (there being insufficient elbow room inside the garage). Inflated the tyres to 28psi a couple of weeks (ago just as the heat wave started) and they have been stored outside just waiting for the temperatures to cool............this afternoon noticed one tyre delated and breaking-up and badly distorted with the steel reinforcement wires all fully visible. Imagine that might have happening if driving?

 

[Invetterate]

To reinforce the advice given about tyre life and why one shouldn't use them.........I have a set of BFG's sitting in my garage which were probably bought in new in 1980 or 1990.
They still hold air and my plan was to put them back on the car purely whilst the car is parked-up outside (covered by a tarp) whilst the front suspension is being rebuilt, (there being insufficient elbow room inside the garage). Inflated the tyres to 28psi a couple of weeks (ago just as the heat wave started) and they have been stored outside just waiting for the temperatures to cool............this afternoon noticed one tyre delated and breaking-up and badly distorted with the steel reinforcement wires all fully visible. Imagine that might have happening if driving?
View attachment 33715View attachment 33716View attachment 33717

Nasty!!

 

[TimP]

Doesn't bear thinking about Probably would have let go when under most stress.....

 

[Corvette]

The decision is made for you Ross, you now have a BF Goodrich clock surround.

 

[Oneball]

That’s actually quite scary.

 

[Roscobbc]

That’s actually quite scary.

Even more scary when you consider that it was simply the elevated external temperatures of the last few weeks that caused the tyre to effectively self destruct - the tyre had become significantly ovoid and distorted in profile ......couple that with potentially using it on a vehicle - I'm guessing it would have effectively exploded probably wrecking a fender as a minimum.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Scary indeed Ross

I had new tyres fitted to the one to my left on Wednesday as the existing tyres were 2015 and still looked great but generally 10 years is my max and two leaked over 4 days. What a difference they made and a small price to pay for peace of mind. Also got to give props to Mr. Tyre in Congleton for letting me take part in the removal and fitting of the wheels given they are knock-offs and never seen by their staff before.

 

[TimP]

Scary indeed Ross

I had new tyres fitted to the one to my left on Wednesday as the existing tyres were 2015 and still looked great but generally 10 years is my max and two leaked over 4 days. What a difference they made and a small price to pay for peace of mind. Also got to give props to Mr. Tyre in Congleton for letting me take part in the removal and fitting of the wheels given they are knock-offs and never seen by their staff before.

Was the difference in grip or ride quality or both?

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Was the difference in grip or ride quality or both?

Ride quality improved a lot and there was less wallow which was probably down to aged side walls on the other tyres. Trip home was only 4 miles so limited use yet but a big improvement so far

 

[Roscobbc]

I put 18" diameter aftermarket wheels & tyres (Toyo Proxes) on my '68 perhaps 15/16 years ago now. Tyres were selected (then) for being perhaps best of the bunch in terms of grip, compatible size and being very close to stock rolling diameter.
As this tyre model had been on the market for a good few years I was fortunate enough to source a new, discounted pair of warehouse stock TVR spec' 255/45/18's for the front (dated 2003) and 285/40/18's (supercharged XK jag size) for the rear (dated 2001).
Ride was poor over bad surfaces. Koni Classic were even worse that the knackered Monroes (replacing long gone F41 spec shocks). It was only when putting a set of KYB gas shocks on a little later that ride and shock action improved dramatically.
The point I was getting to was that alter 8/10 years use the rear tyres were noticeably starting to loose traction - fronts were OK and cornering grip (both front and rear) didn't seem affected.
It was this time last year that I had a rapid deflation on a front tyre. With no safe 'pull-in' safety areas on what was just an 'A' road I had no choice but to drive-on for a mile or so, where fortunately I was able pull-off in to a farm entrance. Tyre was totally destroyed, so unable to ascertain reason for blow-out.
Haven't driven the car since......and irritatingly the brand of tyre I want to use is seemingly on extended back-order.
Having said all that - I was inspecting the wrecked tread of the failed BFG tyre and was pleasantly surprised (and impressed) to see the number of steel threads/wires in the tread construction.