Tread splice info and the Nitto issue

[SpiralOut]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

Good work, PD.

Now...are there any issues with Toyo Proxes R888's before I drop the hammer on a set????

I sure hope not... i ordered a set or R888's last night. I was a happy NT01 user before i saw this thread.

[PrimeBMW]

Personally this splice issue would be very concerning......if I was running these tires. I am just very particular and would want everything 100%. Plus I would not trust a tire company that had such a relaxed attitude about the issue.
Now I have tried the R888......I didn't care for them and removed them after only one day.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by ortho281

Mine first appeared on left front and right rear. Now it is apparent on all four. As the treads are wearing, they are now less noticable. I think it depends on what level the treads are worn to. I spoke to several people that I track with and they also had the same issue with the NT01's. One person had a large chunk delaminate and had to replace tire. I only have about 4-8 sessions remaining on mine. Not sure what I will replace them with.

Since, I only have 4-8 sessions remaining on this set, I went ahead and purchased a new set through Discount Tires Direct. I will also have them heat-cycle this set, which I have never done before. If I develop the splicing issue again, I will have them do a warranty replacement.

Has anyone that did the heat-cycling also had this issue with tread splice? I was told by a friend that if the tires are properly heat-cycled, this will not happen. Mine were not because I first ran them on a wet/damp track day?

[apecush]

Originally Posted by SpiralOut

I sure hope not... i ordered a set or R888's last night. I was a happy NT01 user before i saw this thread.

You do know that toyo and nitto are the same company, don't you?

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

Good work, PD.

Now...are there any issues with Toyo Proxes R888's before I drop the hammer on a set????

I've actually heard and read a lot of complaints about the R888--poor grip, gets greasy, unpredictable. I'd look for something else. Maybe the new BFG Rival, or the new Hankook Ventus TD?

[LiM3y]

I know...revisiting this decision. I might plonk for some Kuhmo Ecsta's or Hankook RS-3and go with the slightly harder compound at 140 rating.

F**king Nitto! They had great stuff and now it is all f**ked up! Lost a lot of confidence in the brand after 2 years rolling with them.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by ortho281

Since, I only have 4-8 sessions remaining on this set, I went ahead and purchased a new set through Discount Tires Direct. I will also have them heat-cycle this set, which I have never done before. If I develop the splicing issue again, I will have them do a warranty replacement.

Has anyone that did the heat-cycling also had this issue with tread splice? I was told by a friend that if the tires are properly heat-cycled, this will not happen. Mine were not because I first ran them on a wet/damp track day?

mine were heat cycled.

[SpiralOut]

Originally Posted by apecush

You do know that toyo and nitto are the same company, don't you?

Yep, that's why i'm really hoping this only affected the NT-01's and not the R888. I'm sure they are very similar tires in the end.

[SpiralOut]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

I've actually heard and read a lot of complaints about the R888--poor grip, gets greasy, unpredictable. I'd look for something else. Maybe the new BFG Rival, or the new Hankook Ventus TD?

Well, I'll find out soon I guess..... my R888's are on the way via UPS right now. I actually found the NT01s to get very greasy as well so will be interesting to feel the differences between the 2. I could go all out about 15 minutes on NT01's, then the rest of the session i had to go somewhat easy as they slid all over the place.

I know i should probably step up to real slicks but I liked the NT01 cause they gave me decent grip at a decent price and they would last me pretty much a whole season if I flipped them on the rims one time. I guess if the R888's suck i'll move on and try something else.

[chili cheese]

I just purchase 2 more new NT01s (non-heat cycled) and will run them in 2 weekends and report back immediately with any tread splice issues.

Also, is there a consensus that the NT01 cannot be flipped on the wheel? I need suspension and camber adjustment, so I'm currently getting significantly more wear on the outside edge of the tires. As the tread blocks disappear and the tires become closer to slicks does it matter if the tires are flipped on the wheel?

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

I just purchase 2 more new NT01s (non-heat cycled) and will run them in 2 weekends and report back immediately with any tread splice issues.

Also, is there a consensus that the NT01 cannot be flipped on the wheel? I need suspension and camber adjustment, so I'm currently getting significantly more wear on the outside edge of the tires. As the tread blocks disappear and the tires become closer to slicks does it matter if the tires are flipped on the wheel?

They were designed asymetrical, but they can be flipped on rim to get more even wear. You could also go with a square setup and rotate front to rear. I just purchased a new set as well, heat cycled.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

mine were heat cycled.

Thanks, so heat cycling is not the problem. Good to know. Hope fully the new set will be ok. I will report back after using the new set a couple weekends.

[1MOREMOD]

i like the tire and will continue to run again at this point but may jump ship if find something else that can be as versitale for me. front to back, side to side, relatively cheap, good grip. FYI i use performance treads as there price is about 20-25 dollars cheaper a tire.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

i like the tire and will continue to run again at this point but may jump ship if find something else that can be as versitale for me. front to back, side to side, relatively cheap, good grip. FYI i use performance treads as there price is about 20-25 dollars cheaper a tire.

The NT01's is still one of the best bang for the buck. Thanks for the tip. I had Discount Tires do a price match so I got them for $267 each. Free shipping!

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by ortho281

The NT01's is still one of the best bang for the buck. Thanks for the tip. I had Discount Tires do a price match so I got them for $267 each. Free shipping!

nice i will have to see if i can get that deal think i paid shipping but not sure.

[ortho281]

Tire splicing on 3 out of 4 tires. Most noticible on right front, then left rear and least noticible on right rear. Tires were rotated only front to rear/rear to front after every 4-6 sessions. I will try also rotating left to right/right to left on the next set of tires.

[1MOREMOD]

yeah i rotate all over the place looking at my tread wear and which location gets most vs least wear at a particular track. didnt help with this situation either.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

mine were heat cycled.

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

yeah i rotate all over the place looking at my tread wear and which location gets most vs least wear at a particular track. didnt help with this situation either.

You are just so full of hope! HaHa! I guess what you are telling me is nothing I do different will help?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by ortho281

You are just so full of hope! HaHa! I guess what you are telling me is nothing I do different will help?

i know i can be a downer!

[king-rb]

I've had a few sets of NT01's, and have actually experienced this on a single tire. The tire was actually date stamped 2007, so doesn't jive w the recent built date phenomenon.
I just mounted it the side of my car which wouldn't "lift" or "separate" the tread any more when spinning the tires. I monitored it, and as the tread wore down from track days, it became barely noticeable.

[RickyBobby]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

Those who continue to use tires with tread splices that are compromised while simply saying "nothing has happened yet" is not a valid solution for most HPDE programs or track events. You are choosing to put yourself and all those around you on track at increased risk, a risk that is known but with a widely variable range of occurrence. It's similar to loading a member of a structure beyond its yield point (resulting in unseen minor plastic deformation), hearing engineers warning you not to do so, observing that the structure is "still standing and working 'fine'", and therefore continue loading that structure in the same manner.

At least in this case of the tread splice gaping open, if the worst case risks are realized, the failure analysis will be simple. Note that you will most likely be liable for the outcome, legally, especially since you chose to continue to use the tire in the degrading condition. Simply getting on track with most programs will require hiding the tire's condition from tech inspectors. I can't fathom getting into a student's car with said student knowing of an impending tread splice failure but who has decided not to worry about it since "nothing has happened yet."

Agreed on the safety issue. My splice has grown across the whole tread and is no longer just cosmetic. Turns out America's tire is the same company as discount tire so I will be taking it in locally for replacement. Hopefully nitto will work with me on mounting and shaving fees in the interest of customer service for someone who has used probably 20 sets of these things.

[OC3]

^To add a little something to "Discount Tire & America's Tire," I was told by Nitto recently that, although I bought my NT01's thru a small local tuning shop, I can still take my spliced NT01's to a local Discount Tire or America's Tire and start the warranty process, which'll speed up the process a bit. I guess Nitto has a certain process in place with Discount Tire & America's Tire.