Help! Tire bubble!...Am I screwed for track day?

Sleeper519 · 11-13-2010, 05:01 PM

Minding my own business today on a leisurely drive, I got potholed, sounded pretty solid. Got out and checked, have a quarter sized bubble on the right front tire. Doesn't look like the rim is bent, but I've heard that a bubble is a symptom of a bent rim. Is that always true? I will drive it on the highway tonight to see if there is vibration. If so, no wheel/tire coverage so it will be expensive.

My biggest concern is that I have a weekend track event at Road Atlanta (MVP) NEXT weekend!! I'm working late all next week--no time to get it to the shop.

... Can I drive this on the track, or is this asking for trouble? Please advise.

gthal · 11-13-2010, 05:40 PM

A bubble doesn't necessarily mean a bent rim... BUT... I would NOT use a bubbled tire on the track. The bubble suggests internal damage in the tire and I would not trust it at high speed/stress levels the tire would see. I would be OK driving on it around the city until I had it replaced but not at high sustained speeds. That's just me though.

signes · 11-13-2010, 08:04 PM

Replace it, have the wheel checked as well. Bubble doesn't necessarily indicate a bent rim but safest to check. Order a tire for the rack and get it drop shipped to a shop hear you. Sent an appointment and squeeze it in (or have a trustworthy friend take your car in.) Don't drive in on track with the bubble.

smmmurf · 11-13-2010, 08:27 PM

Do not drive it on the track with a bubble.

Sleeper519 · 11-13-2010, 08:40 PM

Thanks guys. I kinda figured that was the deal. I'll order a tire and get it on somehow this week. The rim will have to wait. What a pain in the ass THAT will be with no spare to get around on.

Feffman · 11-17-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

Thanks guys. I kinda figured that was the deal. I'll order a tire and get it on somehow this week. The rim will have to wait. What a pain in the ass THAT will be with no spare to get around on.

Sleeper:

I'm glad you are ordering the new tire. We wouldn't allow you on track with a tire bubble. Way too dangerous.

Mark Pfeffer - MVP Track Time

Bubbles · 11-17-2010, 10:40 PM

Say no to bubbles

Don't risk it. The cost of a new tire is small compared to the possible disastrous alternative.

11-13-2010, 05:01 PM	#1
Sleeper519 Lieutenant Drives: 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 507 iTrader: (0)	Help! Tire bubble!...Am I screwed for track day? Minding my own business today on a leisurely drive, I got potholed, sounded pretty solid. Got out and checked, have a quarter sized bubble on the right front tire. Doesn't look like the rim is bent, but I've heard that a bubble is a symptom of a bent rim. Is that always true? I will drive it on the highway tonight to see if there is vibration. If so, no wheel/tire coverage so it will be expensive. My biggest concern is that I have a weekend track event at Road Atlanta (MVP) NEXT weekend!! I'm working late all next week--no time to get it to the shop. ... Can I drive this on the track, or is this asking for trouble? Please advise. __________________ 2008 M3 Coupe / DCT // StopTech BBK 380/355 / Pagid RS29 / Motul / Apex Arc-8 / Nitto NT-01 275s / Ground Control / MS filter / Performance spoiler / BPM tune // Road Atlanta 1:41.92 / VIR Full 2:13.82 / Barber 1:45.96
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11-13-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
gthal Colonel Drives: C63 coupe Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,051 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 M3 [3.37]	A bubble doesn't necessarily mean a bent rim... BUT... I would NOT use a bubbled tire on the track. The bubble suggests internal damage in the tire and I would not trust it at high speed/stress levels the tire would see. I would be OK driving on it around the city until I had it replaced but not at high sustained speeds. That's just me though. __________________ 2012 C63 coupe \| Obsidian Black \| Performance Package (481hp, 443ft/lbs) 1996 E36 M3 coupe \| Estoril blue \| Dedicated track car... heavily modded 2011 M3 coupe \| Jerez Black \| ZCP/DCT \| Sold but never forgotten nor will the love affair end 2010 M3 coupe \| Alpine White \| 6MT \| Sold

11-13-2010, 08:04 PM	#3
signes Brigadier General Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spinnin at 8k Posts: 3,195 iTrader: (3)	Replace it, have the wheel checked as well. Bubble doesn't necessarily indicate a bent rim but safest to check. Order a tire for the rack and get it drop shipped to a shop hear you. Sent an appointment and squeeze it in (or have a trustworthy friend take your car in.) Don't drive in on track with the bubble. __________________ 08 E90 \| Jet Black / Black \| 6MT Mods: RAC RG63 w/ Pirelli Corsa 255F/285R \| Akrapovic Evo Exhaust \| OEM Blacklines Winter Setup: OEM 18s w/ Nokian Hakkapeliita R 245/40-18

11-13-2010, 08:27 PM	#4
smmmurf Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2009 M3 Sedan 6MT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pleasanton, CA Posts: 1,974 iTrader: (7)	Do not drive it on the track with a bubble. __________________ M3 Sedan LCI - AW/Black - 6MT - no moonroof - no folding seats - RAC RG63 - clear bra by Omega Werks SFR SCCA Spec Miata Champion & driving coach (NASA, NCRC, PTech, private)

11-13-2010, 08:40 PM	#5
Sleeper519 Lieutenant Drives: 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 507 iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I kinda figured that was the deal. I'll order a tire and get it on somehow this week. The rim will have to wait. What a pain in the ass THAT will be with no spare to get around on. __________________ 2008 M3 Coupe / DCT // StopTech BBK 380/355 / Pagid RS29 / Motul / Apex Arc-8 / Nitto NT-01 275s / Ground Control / MS filter / Performance spoiler / BPM tune // Road Atlanta 1:41.92 / VIR Full 2:13.82 / Barber 1:45.96

11-17-2010, 10:40 PM	#7
Bubbles Green Bastard Drives: ZCP-Powered Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend Posts: 3,523 iTrader: (3)	Say no to bubbles Don't risk it. The cost of a new tire is small compared to the possible disastrous alternative. __________________

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