Exploding tire

[peterbylt]

While in the process of replacing the drive Axle spindle and relining the brakes, I had the drive tires propped against the front of the Bus.

When I went to the Bus after work last Friday I found that one of the tires had exploded.

The explosion was so powerful it had flipped the other tire that was leaning against it over 5 feet away.

Fortunately no one was hurt and the bus was not damaged.

The date code was 5008, so this tire was 11 years old, I am in the process of slowly replacing all the tires 2 at a time, this set was next on the list, the outer tire has a date code of 3614.

The tire is a 315/80R 22.5 Firestone, there was no sign that this tire was compromised in any way, no cracking or signs of deterioration, was not in direct sunlight, inflated to 90 psi.

Guess I will have to step up the tire replacement rotation.



Peter     

[Sebulba]

Wow!   I think this is a good lesson for all of us.

[richard5933]

Were those Firestone tires the FS400 model?

Curious since those are the tires we're riding on. Ours are 8 years old and scheduled for replacement soon.

[chessie4905]

Were they sitting in direct sunlight? Look to be worn out. Consider that a lucky life lesson. Although rare, newer tires with good tread have the potential to have a catastrophic  failure like that. Fortunately you weren't near when it happened.

[buswarrior]

A busnut has no way of knowing what abuses have been inflicted on the tires before they're yours.

Run flat, pounded onto and off things by hired drivers, cooked by overheated brakes, to name a few.

All manufacturers' tires suffer failure at one point or another.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[peterbylt]

Were those Firestone tires the FS400 model?

Curious since those are the tires we're riding on. Ours are 8 years old and scheduled for replacement soon.

Yes Richard, that tire is an FS400.

Peter

[lostagain]

That tire had to have had previous damage. Like BW says, hired drivers abuse tires. Driving over curbs at an angle is the worst, other than sharp objects.

JC

[Jim Blackwood]

I was approaching a semi to pass one day in my convertible MGB when one of the tires on the trailer exploded. Very glad I wasn't beside it because it'd have taken my head off. Since then I've NEVER dawdled beside one of those. It was like a grenade going off.

Jim