Sidewall failure -- anyone ever seen this?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Audi A8
Sidewall failure -- anyone ever seen this?
New to the forum with a 2007 GL450 w 33k.
I have a question....
My wife was picking up the kids today at school and was sitting in the parking lot. All of a sudden, she heard a loud pop and the right rear tire deflated. Upon further inspection, it appears the sidewall suffered a total failure (see picture). We are extremely lucky that this didn't happen at 70 mph on the highway....
Tires were inflated to the proper pressure (I checked last week) and they are 8 month old Contis with about 5k miles on them.
My question is this -- this car is new to us and the tires were replaced by the previous owner at Mercedes dealership (5k miles ago). I am very skeptical of the remaining tires and will ask for all 4 to be replaced by the dealership. Do you think I have a leg to stand on?
Many thanks for any help.
I have a question....
My wife was picking up the kids today at school and was sitting in the parking lot. All of a sudden, she heard a loud pop and the right rear tire deflated. Upon further inspection, it appears the sidewall suffered a total failure (see picture). We are extremely lucky that this didn't happen at 70 mph on the highway....
Tires were inflated to the proper pressure (I checked last week) and they are 8 month old Contis with about 5k miles on them.
My question is this -- this car is new to us and the tires were replaced by the previous owner at Mercedes dealership (5k miles ago). I am very skeptical of the remaining tires and will ask for all 4 to be replaced by the dealership. Do you think I have a leg to stand on?
Many thanks for any help.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Oakville, ON
'12 ML350
Based on the picture, this looks like a catastrophic failure of the sidewall resulting from the broken radial cords. And the only way I know of that can cause this type of failure when all other areas look normal is if the particular wheel struck a deep pothole or if the sidewall was struck by a curb or a similarly heavy contact.
I've had two instances on previous vehicles where one of my wheels struck a deep pothole and a bubble developed where the radial cords were broken. If I had continued to drive on these, sidewall failures would be the eventual result.
I've had two instances on previous vehicles where one of my wheels struck a deep pothole and a bubble developed where the radial cords were broken. If I had continued to drive on these, sidewall failures would be the eventual result.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
New to the forum with a 2007 GL450 w 33k.
I have a question....
My wife was picking up the kids today at school and was sitting in the parking lot. All of a sudden, she heard a loud pop and the right rear tire deflated. Upon further inspection, it appears the sidewall suffered a total failure (see picture). We are extremely lucky that this didn't happen at 70 mph on the highway....
Tires were inflated to the proper pressure (I checked last week) and they are 8 month old Contis with about 5k miles on them.
My question is this -- this car is new to us and the tires were replaced by the previous owner at Mercedes dealership (5k miles ago). I am very skeptical of the remaining tires and will ask for all 4 to be replaced by the dealership. Do you think I have a leg to stand on?
Many thanks for any help.
I have a question....
My wife was picking up the kids today at school and was sitting in the parking lot. All of a sudden, she heard a loud pop and the right rear tire deflated. Upon further inspection, it appears the sidewall suffered a total failure (see picture). We are extremely lucky that this didn't happen at 70 mph on the highway....
Tires were inflated to the proper pressure (I checked last week) and they are 8 month old Contis with about 5k miles on them.
My question is this -- this car is new to us and the tires were replaced by the previous owner at Mercedes dealership (5k miles ago). I am very skeptical of the remaining tires and will ask for all 4 to be replaced by the dealership. Do you think I have a leg to stand on?
Many thanks for any help.
On an unrelated note, somebody hit a curb with that tire and tore the cords inside. The damage is almost invisible on the outside, but everything is ripped on the inside and a blowout might happen. I have seen this a few times.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
While some of us complain, myself included, about the expensive Runflat tires and their slightly rougher ride, this kind of damage/failure would be highly unlikely to occur to one because of their sidewall construction. I guess seeing this will help me to keep things in perspective when I get the bill to replace my Runflats.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 2
2013 GL350
While some of us complain, myself included, about the expensive Runflat tires and their slightly rougher ride, this kind of damage/failure would be highly unlikely to occur to one because of their sidewall construction. I guess seeing this will help me to keep things in perspective when I get the bill to replace my Runflats.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
Did you have to tell me that? Now I'm going to feel bad when I hand the dealership my credit card. Oh well, maybe the outcome won't be as bad if it happens to a runflat at freeway speeds??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
I had something very similar happen to me on a non-MB. Turns out I had a nail that went through the tread and the tip of the nail was rubbing the inside of the sidewall. If he hadn't showed it to me I wouldn't have believe him.
