car sidewall tear

kuepper

Annoyingly hit a kerb higher than I'd thought and got a tear on the front nearside tyre wall, the tyre is otherwise in good order treadwise etc. It doesn't seem very deep but it's a few inches long. Any idea if this is repairable? I'll have to take it to a garage for peace of mind anyway but I always imagine a garage will say I need a new tyre and will then 'advise' me to replace the other front tyre at the same time.....

Aylesbury_Duck

kuepper wrote: »

Annoyingly hit a kerb higher than I'd thought and got a tear on the front nearside tyre wall, the tyre is otherwise in good order treadwise etc. It doesn't seem very deep but it's a few inches long. Any idea if this is repairable? I'll have to take it to a garage of mind anyway but I always imagine a garage will say I need a new tyre and will then 'advise' me to replace the other front tyre at the same time.....

Change it immediately. I know its galling to chuck out a tire with plenty of tread left but sidewalls undergo a lot of stress and any damage to them is usually irreparable. Its not like a simple puncture in the middle of the tyre that can usually be repaired.

Joe_Horner

Sidewall damage can never be repaired but, without inspecting it, it's almost impossible to say whether the damage matters or not.

What does matter is if it's deep enough to expose the cords, or if it's damaged the structure.

You can check the depth yourself easily enough - carefully open it up with something blunt (so you don't make it any worse). If you can see fabric or steel - even just a tiny bit - then the tyre's scrap.

Damage to the structure is a bit more difficult because it won't always show up straight away (as bulging) and may only be visible from inside the tyre.

kuepper

I would say it's about 1/8th " at deepest end, it's just like a little flap/ slice of bacon. What about changing 2 tyres at same time,is that desirable?

Joe_Horner

kuepper wrote: »

I would say it's about 1/8th " at deepest end, it's just like a little flap/ slice of bacon. What about changing 2 tyres at same time,is that desirable?

The depth (as a measurement) doesn't matter, what matters is whether it's reached the cords, which are the structural part of the tyre.

Practical examples from DVSA MOT training videohere:

https://youtu.be/Mip1Zv0RK9o?t=11m

MilduraS

Not sure about changing two tyres, presumably it would better to change both at the same time to ensure even wear. I've heard that in Germany you have to change all four by law- bit excessive and expensive!

I just wanted to reiterate that the damaged tyre should be changed immediately. I was in a car on a motorway when one of the tyres exploded. It was loud, terrifying and completely uncontrollable. Fortunately I escaped with a few aches and bruises. The tyre didn't have any noticeable damage prior to the accident so I really wouldn't risk a damaged tyre.

System

MilduraS wrote: »

I just wanted to reiterate that the damaged tyre should be changed immediately.

If its not deep and hasn't gone through to the chords it doesn't need to be. The outside layer of a tyre on the sidewall doesn't do a lot.

agrinnall

I did the same as you, didn't go down to the cords, and drove perfectly happily with that tyre until it needed to be changed - and I'm pretty sure it passed an MoT in that time.

m0bov

No cords, no change. You can take it to a trustworthy MOT garage for an opinion.