Guilty As Charged, Tire Blowout

[haywire 440]

I have read a lot of interesting posts on here and have made a few comments. The stories about perfectly good looking , but aged, tires exploding stuck with me. Last Saturday I ignored the more that usual vibrations from the Satellite while cruising on an expressway. “It will be fine, just a flat spot working itself out” I told myself. The Cooper Cobra G/Ts were 16 year old. But in the back of my mind... those tire stories crept. I don’t like to panic and when it blew on the right rear it was like I was ready for it. Pulling over quickly helped, no lost of control. I was right by an exit so I limped it up to a safe place where it wasn’t on a blind curve. Changed to the spare, headed back home. Monday a new set (4) of BF Goodrich Radial T/A s were installed. Minimal damage to the Stainless steel trim, some beating of the inner fender wells and a few scratches on the rear quarter panel. I will serve my sentence now.

 

[69BBody]

Glad you're safe!

 

[Hey-O]

I have wondered about that myself! I have BF Goodrich Radial T/A's also, but I know, they're older than dirt. Most important thing about this is that you are alright, it could have been a poop story with a very sad ending!

 

[DeltaV]

Get rid of those jackstands!!!

 

[DeltaV]

Glad you're safe. Very nice car you have there.

 

[beanhead]

Yes, good save! Sweet looking convertible!

 

[moparnation74]

glad you are safe...

 

[coronet68mx]

I have wondered about that myself! I have BF Goodrich Radial T/A's also, but I know, they're older than dirt. Most important thing about this is that you are alright, it could have been a poop story with a very sad ending!

So, Ulli, would you be so kind to explain to all of us here, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR TO CHANGE YOUR OLD TIRES, please .

 

[coronet68mx]

Thank God nothing bad happened to you.

 

[440Coronet500]

You got lucky it wasn't a front tire. Glad you're safe. 440'

 

[Johnpat]

We all could learn from this, I've got some 10
yr olds on the front of mine,need to be changed!

 

[haywire 440]

Get rid of those jackstands!!!

That’s another great point! And another subject that has been bouncing around in my noggin.
Also thanks for the two thumbs up.

 

[haywire 440]

You got lucky it wasn't a front tire. Glad you're safe. 440'

It would have been trickier on the front and I count myself lucky.

 

[haywire 440]

I had spent a year & a half redoing the interior. I just wanted to enjoy putting some miles on it. Thanks for all the kind support. Now on to looking up jack stands. Searching the b-bodies archives now.

 

[beanhead]

Now on to looking up jack stands. Searching the b-bodies archives now.

 

[slimt]

Ive had those jack stands collapes not a good outcome.

 

[bearman]

Tires or your life I think tires. I agree about jack stands and that you are okay. Be careful and tell your story often at car shows etc. Spread the word.

 

[haywire 440]

Hey beanhead, the first item on the search “jack stands” had this catastrophic head injury. I did find the recent discussion which included a Jay Leno Garage link and reread it. A little further googling and I found and ordered two pairs of these Omega 32126. I liked the “magic lift” feature. I’m not waiting this time, safety first.

 

[haywire 440]

Ive had those jack stands collapes not a good outcome.

Agree and corrected.

 

[pwDave]

Haywire, I've been in both places, I have a set (2) of those 12 ton jack stands I put under the rear end when my car is up in the air, front goes on a pair of empty wheels, car cannot rock and roll like that. I took a pair of brand new BF Goodrichs off of the front of my car(15 yrs old) still had the little mold ******* on the face of the tread, put a tag on them saying they were 15 yrs old and sold them for 40.00. I have a set of very lightweight fiberglass front fenders, a tire coming apart on the front is a 1200 to1500 dolllar fuk up, it just wasn"t worth taking the chance, I am glad you did not sustain any more damage than you did, valuble lesson. Dave.