Minor Fender Bender Results in Tire Bubble?

[HKSpeed]

Today I discovered a bubble in the tread of one of my rear tires. Recently I was rear ended, but the damage was minor (bodyshop repaired my rear bumper but the styrofoam support was cracked and replaced). Could the accident cause this bubble? I didn't know bubbles could form on the tread.

[MrZog]

hmm . . is that a "bubble" or is the tire worn like that all around? . . if it is a bubble just at this spot . . then one of the inner plies of the tire is damaged and air is getting between the plies . . normally that happens when the tire gets mounted (can show a lot later though . .) . . can't imagine how this has anything to do with getting rear-ended . . just get 2 new tires (this looks pretty worn anyway . .) . .

[G535]

can't imagine how this has anything to do with getting rear-ended . . just get 2 new tires (this looks pretty worn anyway . .) . .

Exactly. It's not likely that the same thing will happen to new tires again.

[HKSpeed]

I look a pic of the tread blocks splitting where the bubble is. Its only on one rear tire. I'm trying to get the other party's insurance to pay to replace the tire since the accident was their fault. The tire has about 50% tread left.

[Moose]

The accident wouldn't have caused that, is more than likely an alignment/dry rot issue.

[CHIF8008]

that tire is not 50% life left. see those bars across in the tread. once you hit that the tires have no purpose in the rain and are illegal to drive on.

you are almost on the bars. you will need new tires soon. that bubble is not from the crash unless a sharp part of the car poked it without popping it (unlikely)



splitting blocks looks like a alignment problem

[Jorge]

I'd say that tyre has a lot of life left. It isn't on those bars yet, how quickly do you think the rubber wears down on a tyre?

Nothing to lose going after other persons insurance to fund two new tyres (don't want odd ones onthe back end now)

[Logan]

There is no way that was caused by the accident. It is only a series of unfortunate events. I wouldn't waste your time.

[atomicclutch]

the steel belt in the tire is broke. probably just a defective tire

[HKSpeed]

thanks for the responses guys. it's a Nankang AS-1. i've experienced sidewall cracking on previous Nankangs (NS-2s), so I guess this isn't totally surprising. its coincidental that I discover this right after the accident (I was stopped at a red light and rear ended). after I got my car back from the bodyshop I immediately noticed the vibration and road noise, which is what caused me to remove the wheel to investigate. i've been driving on it for the last 2 years and my last alignment was about 10K miles ago. the bubble is on the outside edge of the tire. the bubble is only in one spot and not around the entire tire.

to me that tire is about 50% worn since I ride my tires until the steel belts are almost visible LOL. fyi, it's a 215/40/18 on a 9 inch wide wheel.

[Ollie]

If it were me I'd try to get them to pay for it but if you've had the same tires for 2 years.. than yeah just buy new ones. I change tires about once every 2 months max and am poor so I take tires where I can get them lol

[Daviticus]

I've seen more Nankangs bubble or separate in the small time I've worked at a tire shop, than any other brand of tire [including Mastercraft ] in the last ten years. The tread shoulder cracking is pretty normal for those, though I usually only see them after a few hot drift laps.

Guaranteed its' simply a defective tire.