Don't be too cheap---what an exploding tire can do to the quarter panel:

[Stewart G Griffin]

Well, i pushed it too far;  i tried to get too much out of a tire and it gave way, at the worst possible time.  And here's what it can do to a quarter panel:




It was actually a little worse---the area circled in yellow was actually pushed upwards to point where the crease is.  i bent it back down by hand.


The tread actually completely separated and then the tire just exploded:  i think the tread just whipping around at 60mph really gave the fender a wallop.



The tire was originally on the truck when i bought it and the paperwork from the p.o. states i think 1996 so that's 15 years and i was really pushing it trying to get about 12000 more miles before i was going to replace it.   But that was pushing it and it bit me and now i'm going to end up spending more $$$ than if i had just replaced the tire sooner.    So, it's ok to be frugal, but don't be too cheap like me.

Anyways, the important question is can i bend the metal back to shape myself?   Or should i bring it to a body shop?  i am not trying to get it perfect, just back to normal.  i'm not opposed to bringing it to a shop, but i would like it better if i could do it myself----i'm willing to by some tools if nessesary.


P.S.  Yes, that is an astro/safari spare and it works great;  i would recommend this to anyone with a 1/2 ton.

[VileZambonie]

You may think I'm a jerk for saying this but GOOD. I'm glad it damaged your truck and hopefully taught you a lesson. It's people that think like you that kill innocent people because they're knowingly driving on dangerous tires. Shame on you

[Stewart G Griffin]

Wow. ;  i did say i learned my lesson above.....  (i don't "think like me" anymore)   Really that was my whole purpose of making this thread----to warn others not to do what i did.


And the more i think about it, you're right.  i certainly did learn a lesson.  i've just never really had a tire blow apart that catastrophically so i didn't feel this tire was that dangerous.


Now about the fender......

[zieg85]

What if it was the left front on a busy 2 lane going 50 mph??? Head on collision!!!  I would probably keep it the way it is as a steady reminder...

[80stepsideguy]

You can hammer it out with a small block of wood and a small sledge hammer and it will come back into some shape.Sorry to hear what happened, but the biggest thing is your ok and noone else got hurt.But im sure is scared the you know what out of you. It only takes 1 time to learn a hard lesson in life..

thanks
pat

[1979C20]

Vile, all I can say is wow....

And that kind of reminds me of the TWO firestone tires thst shreaded on me in like the same month. And they were from 05 with good tread and no dry rot. Heres one of the tires and im not sure if I have pics of the other. But the tread ripped off and ripped up my wheel arch molding, bent up my fender, bent up my wheel well, dented my door, and shattered my mirror.

[VileZambonie]

I'm sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings but I have known people that have lost their lives because of this exact same thing.

[reload]

No need to apologize Vile. 

[velojym]

A few years ago, I blew a trailer tire in Birmingham. Completely took out the fender on my pneumatic tanker (yeah, 18 wheeler) and we never did find the taillight housing. Those things will flat out wreck some stuff when they blow... something to think about when drafting off big trucks.
Tire looked fine on the pre-trip, by the way, but I spent a lot of time on the slag roads at US Steel.

[Irish_Alley]

glad your ok but, also glad your truck was the only victim. you can put your seat belt on but you cant help others stupidity. one guy i worked with at AutoZone was in a bike accident he stopped at a stop light with his wife on the back when this young buck in a truck that needed new breaks, and it wasn’t the fact the kid wasnt paying attention but state police said it took his truck 300ft to stop going 60. killed his wife and he wasnt the same mentally. so im with vile glad it happened to only you but i am glad you were able to walk away/ drive away

[1979C20]

No need to apologize Vile. 

X2

A few years ago, I blew a trailer tire in Birmingham. Completely took out the fender on my pneumatic tanker (yeah, 18 wheeler) and we never did find the taillight housing. Those things will flat out wreck some stuff when they blow... something to think about when drafting off big trucks.
Tire looked fine on the pre-trip, by the way, but I spent a lot of time on the slag roads at US Steel.

I always stay at least 1 lane away from big trucks on the road. I am paranoid of one blowing and taking my passenger, myself, or my truck out,(in order of importance).

[Edahall]

Might be easier to cut out the bad section and go to the junkyard and weld in a replacement.

Luckily, it was a rear tire that went rather than the front.  Also, many people make the mistake of jamming on the brakes during a blow out which causes them to lose control.  Though it's much less likely, I've had blow outs with virtually brand new tires too.

Tires can have plenty of tread left but the rubber lose its elasticity due to age.  I still remember going to a used tire shop and the salesman wanting to sell me this tire that looked virtually brand new.  I checked the dates on the sidewall and the tire was 10 years old.  I said no thanks and bought new tires.

[choptop]

Definately glad you're ok. Tires are something I don't mess with. Only cheap tires I buy go on vehicles that wont see the street. Just for rollers around the property. I hate having to change flats or even air up tires that go flat after a few days. The last set of tires I bought for my work truck were over $1200. I buy 10 ply because the oilfeild roads I drive on will destroy a weak tire. I was asked why I bought the high dollar tires all the time. My answer is simple. A $200+ tire is cheaper than a body repair shop.
  You may be able to bend it back out and straighten it out with a hammer and dolley, but its gonna take time and patience.Good luck too ya

[autorepr]

You can straighten that out with a hammer and dolly. It's a single layer of sheet metal. It'll be way more work and expensive cutting it out and sectioning in another piece. (probly not look as good either) Get a bodywork hammer and dolly kit (a cheap one like at harbour frieght) and a book/ video on how to do it. Take your time and don't clobber it thinking you can get it done with 2 big blows. Get it close and apply the bondo (that is what bondo is actually for) then hit it with some paint. It'll be fine.

[choptop]

I just met a guy who bought used tires and had a blow out at 85 mph causing $2500 in damage to his 06 Chevy pickup.I understand not everyone has the money for 4 new tires but this guy could afford it. Needless to say he learned his lesson.