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Tire Damage

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by JStrenk, Sep 30, 2015.

  1. JStrenk

    JStrenk Active Member

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    I just had my Prius in for a rear wheel bearing replacement when the mechanic told me the tire was cut to the core in two places with chunks blown out. It still held air though. They are about 10" Apart
    What could cause this?
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    There are no cuts on the front tire. I would think that with that amount of damage, both tires on that side would show some damage.. Vandalism?

    I run about 40 PSIG in the tires. Just put them on this spring.
    The tire was showing some cupping around the outer edge I thought was from the wheel bearing.
    So I was going to replace the tire anyway. But this was a surprise.
     
    #1 JStrenk, Sep 30, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2015
  2. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    That's pretty incredible - you are lucky they noticed it! I would take it back to the dealer who originally sold you that tire.
     
    #2 ILuvMyPriusToo, Sep 30, 2015
    matt b. likes this.
  3. JStrenk

    JStrenk Active Member

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    I just sent Tirerack an email with pictures of the damage. I'll see what they say.
     
    #3 JStrenk, Sep 30, 2015
  4. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Road debris? Glass? Metal? Lumber (with nails)? Do you recall driving over something (wooden palette?) - it would surely have made a loud noise! I would think wrong place for vandalism (vandals would have gone for the side-walls!) Good luck! I'd be interested to hear what Tirerack think! - Wil
    PS: Any hazard insurance on your tyres? (often an option when they're purchased new)
     
    #4 WilDavis, Sep 30, 2015
  5. JStrenk

    JStrenk Active Member

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    I Don't remember anything like that would of certainly checked the tires if I did :) and only the rear tire has damage.
    and they are 10" or so apart. So I don't see it being a pothole or anything like that.
     
    #5 JStrenk, Sep 30, 2015
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Do you run the car through automated car washes?

    I've seen tire damage caused by the track mechanism that moves the car through the tunnel. In one case, the tread was damaged similarly to yours, but not quite as deep a gouge. And I believe it was front tire damage.
     
    #6 xliderider, Sep 30, 2015
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  7. JStrenk

    JStrenk Active Member

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    !!!
    Occasionally. And it sometimes does push on the drivers side rear tire...
    I guess it would depend upon what tire it caught when starting..
    Hmmmm..... There is only one place were I get the car washed when I'm to busy to do it myself ...
     
    #7 JStrenk, Sep 30, 2015
  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I think I can rule out vandalism.

    Mind you, it's only a guess but I think that tires are a little easier to damage by knocking a hole in the sidewall where the tire is a little thinner.

    I'm guessing FOD for the tread damage.


    Bearing replacement??!!
    On a 2011???

    I've seen Priuses knock down hundreds of thousands of happy motoring miles on the OEM bearings.
    What happened to yours?

    Autocross?
    Driver's Ed car?
    Wheel/tire mod gone wrong?
     
    #8 ETC(SS), Sep 30, 2015
  9. JStrenk

    JStrenk Active Member

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    Don't know why the bearing failed. I notice it when I was replacing the brake disk. It didn't move freely like the other side.
    The passenger side would spin freely with a little push and this side would not.

    Here: Are the rear hubs suppose to turn freely? | PriusChat

    Consensus was brake dragging overheated the hub.

    I am an X-autocrosser so my driving style somewhat reflects that...:)
     
    #9 JStrenk, Oct 1, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2015
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's been a fair number of third generation owners posting here about replacing bearings. It was something new to me, but then we've never been high mileage users, with Honda for decades. Had CV joints go bad once.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Oct 1, 2015
  11. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    If it was a cut it should be more or less straight. That looks more like a crack, with the crack weakening the tread blocks that came off. I would guess contaminant during molding, or unfinished mixing of the rubber compound.
     
    #11 David Beale, Oct 1, 2015
  12. Toasty

    Toasty Junior Member

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    looks like road damage
     
    #12 Toasty, Oct 2, 2015
  13. JStrenk

    JStrenk Active Member

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    I just remembered, my son drove the Prius over a stop sign and a NG gas line vent last summer..

    Maybe that caused it..
     
    #13 JStrenk, Oct 5, 2015
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