Sidewall bubbles after puncture repair!!

[RA7 GTO]

I noticed a nail in the tread of my left rear Michelin PS 275/40/18 a week a go. The pressure was down to 25psi (other tires at 28). I removed it from car and brought it to Discount Tire where they proceeded to remove the tire, pull the nail, plug the hole, remount, refill. At 32psi, not one BUT FIVE sidewall bubbles appear on the outside of the tire (about 3000miles old). They tell me I must have hit some "bumps" in the road and injured the sidewall. Of course they were not there before, and in fact were still visible when I de-aired to 17psi. I hit no "bumps" and the left front tire which logically would have hit the same "bumps" has no such bubble.

Anyone seen this before or have enough tire tech knowledge to figure this out? I think they over-inflated the tire or did not properly plug the hole, thus allowing air to get between the layers. So far they have offered the replacement at half price, but Michelin has been contacted, and I want a free tire. Thanks.

[sccaGTO]

I noticed a nail in the tread of my left rear Michelin PS 275/40/18 a week a go. The pressure was down to 25psi (other tires at 28). I removed it from car and brought it to Discount Tire where they proceeded to remove the tire, pull the nail, plug the hole, remount, refill. At 32psi, not one BUT FIVE sidewall bubbles appear on the outside of the tire (about 3000miles old). They tell me I must have hit some "bumps" in the road and injured the sidewall. Of course they were not there before, and in fact were still visible when I de-aired to 17psi. I hit no "bumps" and the left front tire which logically would have hit the same "bumps" has no such bubble.

Anyone seen this before or have enough tire tech knowledge to figure this out? I think they over-inflated the tire or did not properly plug the hole, thus allowing air to get between the layers. So far they have offered the replacement at half price, but Michelin has been contacted, and I want a free tire. Thanks.
Did you notice the low tire after you stopped somewhere? If a tire has low enough air pressure for a little time, it rides more on the sidewall than it did at the correct air pressure. With the sidewall now getting friction, it heats up. There is less rubber in the sidewall, so it cannot sustain any heat at all. If someone drives on a tire at a dangerously low level, the tire has the possibility of disintegrating. This is the "tire blowout" people talk about. If the technician had taken the tire off the rim, he should have inspected the inside for tire dust. From the way you describe it, I don't think they took the tire off the rim.

[RA7 GTO]

Pressure never got lower than stated 25 psi, and that was measured almost two weeks and only 30 miles after i noticed the nail. I've certainly found myself driving on lower pressure tires(on other cars) than that without any problems. I don't think they took it off the rim either.

[GMH GTO]

I would not drive the GTO with a repaired tire, patch or plug, the belts of the tire are still damaged to some degree and moisture will be held in the belts starting corrosion.

That tire is $250 at most, if thats a hill you want to die on, well good luck, and hopefully they compensate for a tire.

[BOSSGTO]

I noticed a nail in the tread of my left rear Michelin PS 275/40/18 a week a go. The pressure was down to 25psi (other tires at 28). I removed it from car and brought it to Discount Tire where they proceeded to remove the tire, pull the nail, plug the hole, remount, refill. At 32psi, not one BUT FIVE sidewall bubbles appear on the outside of the tire (about 3000miles old). They tell me I must have hit some "bumps" in the road and injured the sidewall. Of course they were not there before, and in fact were still visible when I de-aired to 17psi. I hit no "bumps" and the left front tire which logically would have hit the same "bumps" has no such bubble.

Anyone seen this before or have enough tire tech knowledge to figure this out? I think they over-inflated the tire or did not properly plug the hole, thus allowing air to get between the layers. So far they have offered the replacement at half price, but Michelin has been contacted, and I want a free tire. Thanks.

That is caused by air getting between the layers in the tire carcass and separating them. It sometimes happens when you patch a tire. Happens much more often if you (don't even think about it!) plug the tire. Be careful also because a patch or plug will always lower the speed rating of the tire. If you drive fast a lot accept nothing less than perfect rubber.

[jmasse]

If the nail was in the tread area of the tire, there is no way the repair caused bubbles in the sidewall. The cause of this was the tire being driven at a lower than adequate pressure. Michelin makes excllent tires, but they have notoriously flimsy sidewalls, so damage is more likely to occur. Next time your 40 series tire is off the rim, grasp the bead area and you will almost be able to fold it back like a peice of pizza, then do the same to any other brand and you will see what I am saying. I suggest purchasing road hazard and you won't have to worry about it. Also, repairing a tire in ANY way VOIDS the speed rating completely, which means over 90 can be a problem.

Jeff

[Greeny5005]

burn it off and buy a new one :burnout: just to be safe thats what i would do but thats me