Want to See True Flat-Spotting Billboards?

Bernica · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 01:14 PM

Ok, This has me a little freaked out....

These Billboards have less than 500 miles, but have been sitting on the car for a few years. I posted before about my concerns about the sidewall cracking. Then, last night...WHOOSH! There goes one. Then an hour later...WHOOSH! There goes another!

Most amazing. I think I need an exorcist for the garage.

Guess I had better start saving up for dem Avons...

Mark IV · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 01:22 PM

Hey,

You could have been DRIVING when they went! Another reason why race tires are not intended to be street tires, they have no preservative elastomers and the expected life is a weekend...................................

ACademic · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 01:41 PM

Appears to be heavy ozone-related degradation. So the tires are a couple years young on the car, but what are the date codes?

Swashplate · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 01:57 PM

Yikes.

Bernica · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 01:59 PM

Yep, I agree with post above. Nice looking tire, but meant to hit the track. Posting mainly because I know so many of us have Billboards, and just want folks aware.

Both front tires (the ones that blew) have D2546 on them. Rears are D2547. Just guessing that the last digits mean '06 and '07. So, I guess the clock is ticking. Nice!

CJ428CJ · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 03:25 PM

Those numbers don't appear to be the date code. You can learn more about tire date codes here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

601HP · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernica

Yep, I agree with post above. Nice looking tire, but meant to hit the track. Posting mainly because I know so many of us have Billboards, and just want folks aware.

Both front tires (the ones that blew) have D2546 on them. Rears are D2547. Just guessing that the last digits mean '06 and '07. So, I guess the clock is ticking. Nice!

I'm on my second set of these tires. I haven't been able to locate a date code on any of them. The two numbers you used, D2546 & D2547 are Goodyear part numbers.

I certainly don't like what's happened to your tires. When you posted they have been sitting on the car for a few years, are you stating the car hasn't been moved for several years?

Thanks,
David

REAL 1 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 03:48 PM

Hmmm. That's not good. I have Billboards on mine for a number of years but they seem in great shape and I don't see any cracks. Car is driven nearly every weekend and is in a heated garage during the winter.

Yikes! That is scary.

vatdevil · #9 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 03:54 PM

Billboards should be discarded after 2-3 years. As MarkIV stated, their compound includes nothing to preserve them. Thankfully you weren't driving.

RodKnock · #10 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 04:02 PM

While I know folks really love them, I would NEVER use a non-DOT non-radial tire on the street. The car already enough safety issues, even with DOT-approved radial tires.

Mark IV · #11 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 04:10 PM

Race tires are not date coded in a manner that can be decoded by the DOT guide as it is not required. There are identifying code on stickers that Goodyear uses to assure rotation of stock and I.D. the batch should there be a problem.

Billboards look good and perform well....on the track!

Thor maine · #12 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 04:11 PM

I said this on another thread about Billboards, if you use them on the street you are opening yourself up to a whole world of liability . If you get in an accident and the insurance investigator is sharp and finds you have non D.O.T tires on they will call it "willful disregard" your insurance could be voided and they will throw the book at you.

Bill D · #13 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 04:43 PM

Could this be an isolated incident? I was planning on using them, but have reservations about using them

Bernica · #14 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 601HP

I'm on my second set of these tires. I haven't been able to locate a date code on any of them. The two numbers you used, D2546 & D2547 are Goodyear part numbers.

I certainly don't like what's happened to your tires. When you posted they have been sitting on the car for a few years, are you stating the car hasn't been moved for several years?

Thanks,
David

No, car has been driven. Not as much as I like, but several times in the past 3 months. I parked it when I kept noticing the cracking. Some folks told me that "it's just cosmetic". Didn't buy that. Must have an angel on my shoulder.

Mark IV · #15 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill D

Could this be an isolated incident? I was planning on using them, but have reservations about using them

GO with your gut....you have doubts, they are well founded if you are street driving.

ItBites · #16 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 07:05 PM

The life of these tires will vary with use. The flexing action during use will reduce the rate at which the polymer chains cross-link. Sitting without flexure will allow the cross-linking to occur at its maximum rate for the conditions of storage (temperature, humidity, UV, and ozone). Unless you use UV plant-growing lights in your garage or have a big electic generator producing ozone, You are seeing the natural life of these tires when they are not flexed frequently. As some have said, they get more life than you got. I would think this may be due to the frequency of flexure of the elastomer.

Bernica · #17 (**permalink**) 10-15-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItBites

The life of these tires will vary with use. The flexing action during use will reduce the rate at which the polymer chains cross-link. Sitting without flexure will allow the cross-linking to occur at its maximum rate for the conditions of storage (temperature, humidity, UV, and ozone). Unless you use UV plant-growing lights in your garage or have a big electic generator producing ozone, You are seeing the natural life of these tires when they are not flexed frequently. As some have said, they get more life than you got. I would think this may be due to the frequency of flexure of the elastomer.

No, no "grow lights", gen-sets or anything like that. I can only drive it when I have time and they must have needed to be flexed more and not be so neglected. Come to think of it, I used to date a girl just like that!

mdross1 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-17-2013, 06:03 AM

Put up with biased tires for too many years when first starting out. A real shame these billboards cannot be sold in radial construction maybe we are not a big enough market. I will struggle on with my mini billboard raised whitelettered's.

Jaydee · #19 (**permalink**) 10-17-2013, 06:13 AM

Sort of related. I had a pair of safety work boots with oil resistant soles. They were brand new but weren't used for 3 or so years. I started using them , and the sole started to fall apart within a month. Now I find out from the shoe store that they absorb moisture and have a use by date.
JD

G-Pete · #20 (**permalink**) 10-19-2013, 01:06 PM

WOHA, I read a lot about the BB - but that is like before mentioned scary. I opted for Avon's for the DOT reason and flat spots. For sure I'm not looking back after seeing these pictures. You are blessed it didn't happened on the road......

on the road....