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

Sleeper519 · 11-13-2010, 04:01 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, 04:40 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, 07:04 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, 07:27 PM

Do not drive it on the track with a bubble.

Sleeper519 · 11-13-2010, 07:40 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, 11:09 AM

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, 09:40 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, 04:01 PM	#1
Sleeper519 Captain 68 Rep 869 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA 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 / BFG R1S / Ground Control / MS filter / Performance spoiler / BPM tune // Road Atlanta 1:39.70 / VIR Full 2:10.87 / Barber 1:42.20
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11-13-2010, 04:40 PM	#2
gthal Major General 1903 Rep 5,678 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	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. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i \| Black \| Current DD 2020 C8 Corvette \| Z51 \| Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery 2016 M2 \| Long Beach Blue \| 6MT 2015 M4 \| Austin Yellow \| DCT 2012 MB C63AMG \| 2011 E92 M3 \| 2010 E92 M3
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11-13-2010, 07:04 PM	#3
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	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. __________________ GT3 RS \| Desperately seeking the next great M car...
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11-13-2010, 07:27 PM	#4
smmmurf Colonel 309 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	Do not drive it on the track with a bubble.
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11-13-2010, 07:40 PM	#5
Sleeper519 Captain 68 Rep 869 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA 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 / BFG R1S / Ground Control / MS filter / Performance spoiler / BPM tune // Road Atlanta 1:39.70 / VIR Full 2:10.87 / Barber 1:42.20
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11-17-2010, 09:40 PM	#7
Bubbles Brigadier General 2753 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend 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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