Tire side wall cracks?

[craigwieck]

I have a question for any tire experts out there. I put a new set a Michelin tires on my excursion last June. I have only put about 5000 miles on them since I have had them. I noticed cracks around the bead this spring. I called Michelin to complain and the lady told me that cracks are not covered under warranty. She said I could file a claim and they would try to gets some assistance on a new set of tires. I just spent $2000 on tires last year and there is no way in heck I'm spending any money on another set of tires. My question is are these cracks normal? They don't look that deep but I always thought any cracks where bad. I have been a mechanic for 16 years but I never paid that much attention to the side wall of the tires over the years.

[catfishmontana]

powderman426 wrote:
I would still like it if the OP would tell us how old the tires are by the code and not how long he has had them. I have a hard time believing that one year old tires cracked. Im betting on old stock. I like the idea of taking pictures and asking Michelin if they are safe. I can't imagine they would put it in writing if they said they were ok.

I can relay my personal experience. I bought my F350 brand new in May 2011, truck was built in March 2011. Two days later I notice cracking all around the bead of all four tires. I call the dealership, they say call Michelin. I call Michelin, they say call the nearest authorized Michelin dealer. In the meantime Michelin tells me that if the tire dealer agrees there is a problem he can submit proof to Michelin and have them replaced......with Michelins or BFG tires. The tire dealer says yep they are garbage, but Michelin needs all five dismounted and sent to them before they will replace them. Meaning my truck sits on blocks at the tire shop until it is approved. I told them to shove it, I need my truck as its a DD and why would I really want my tires replaced with another set of Michelins?

[powderman426]

I would still like it if the OP would tell us how old the tires are by the code and not how long he has had them. I have a hard time believing that one year old tires cracked. Im betting on old stock. I like the idea of taking pictures and asking Michelin if they are safe. I can't imagine they would put it in writing if they said they were ok.

[catfishmontana]

BFGoodrich is Michelin, I don't know about uniroyal though.

[fivecodys]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

downtheroad wrote:

catfishmontana wrote:
Pretty common occurance with the overpriced******that is Michelin. Sorry you got burned by the Michelin hype.

I just must be lucky...I have run Michelins for years and years on all our vehicles and have never gotten anything but great service from them.

"Pretty common occurrence," for Michelin tires to fail...Source?

Michelin themselves say their tires are junk. Or almost a half a million of them.

Here are 178 pi$$ed off Michelin customers.

Cracking sidewalls a common theme with Michelins.

Unless I'm reading the article wrong, It's not all Michelin tires.
Looks like BF Goodrich and Uniroyal's line up.

Hopefully they will take are of those affected quickly and fairly.

Bill

[fly-boy]

I think Michelin Tires are some of the very best- but then I have never had a problem with them. If I had an issue I am sure I wold feel differently.

That said, 1 year old tires should not be cracking. I would take a picture of the tires and send it to your tire dealer and to Michelin along with your receipt and when the tires were made. In your letter tell them you are concerned the tires should not be cracking this soon and ask them if this is normal and safe.

My guess- you will get new tires.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

downtheroad wrote:

catfishmontana wrote:
Pretty common occurance with the overpriced******that is Michelin. Sorry you got burned by the Michelin hype.

I just must be lucky...I have run Michelins for years and years on all our vehicles and have never gotten anything but great service from them.

"Pretty common occurrence," for Michelin tires to fail...Source?

Michelin themselves say their tires are junk. Or almost a half a million of them.

Here are 178 pi$$ed off Michelin customers.

Cracking sidewalls a common theme with Michelins.

[craigwieck]

Thanks. The only reason I went with Michelin tires is because I put a set on my escape back in 2005 and they had over 120,000 on them and still had some tread on them.

[45Ricochet]

catfishmontana wrote:
Pretty common occurance with the overpriced******that is Michelin. Sorry you got burned by the Michelin hype.

LOL
At least it seems pretty common on this forum.

[Olde_Volks_Plac]

Check out the post unsafe at any speed a poster on there by the name of CapriRacer is in the Tire ind and might can answer your question.

good luck

[BenK]

One of many threads on: "Michelin Tires"

BenK wrote:
Just because I have had issues with the last sets (plural) does it mean
everyone else will. Nor does one person who hasn't had any problems mean
no one else will...there is no absolutes in life other than I will die

There are many, many factors to why they crack to not crack.

In my circumstance, they cracked (the last five sets, IIRC). Even my
ex's lux sedan had them crack and she moved to another area and is
always garaged

My nephew's 2007 2500HD 4x4 Mega Cab CTD has his 3 year old Michelin
LTX-AT's crack on the sidewalls. He didn't have time for me to take
pictures and has change them out already to Toyo's

His looked just like this (from my vehicle)



Another set (AT's)



I go through tires quickly, both from mileage and from my severe driving
style (boy race to the core and think/hope till I die)





Here are a couple links to old posts showing my Michelin's. Both
LTX-AT and LTX-MS

Best tires for my 1999 suburban K2500


Junk BFG Tires

[the_bear_II]

Do you keep your tires covered when not in use.

I have a 3 year old set of Michelin XPS Ribs that are always covered and no cracks have appeared. I just looked them over this weekend while doing some suspension work.

[downtheroad]

catfishmontana wrote:
Pretty common occurance with the overpriced******that is Michelin. Sorry you got burned by the Michelin hype.

I just must be lucky...I have run Michelins for years and years on all our vehicles and have never gotten anything but great service from them.

"Pretty common occurrence," for Michelin tires to fail...Source?

[catfishmontana]

Pretty common occurance with the overpriced******that is Michelin. Sorry you got burned by the Michelin hype.

[powderman426]

What are the tire codes saying. Is it possible they sold you old stock? If that's the case take your receipt and get them to pony up for new tires. It seems mighty strange that tires that new would have cracks and that is not a good sign. I hope you get it resolved. Please let us know how it shakes out.