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FYI: Happened to see this while perusing the news on CNN web page. I know that Ford uses these tires on our trucks (at least mine). Not an alarmist, but these tires may not exit gracefully on vehicles with high centers of gravity, like ours... If yours are getting close to used up, there may be a safer model out there, at least in this respect. http://www.cnn.com/2000/LAW/07/26/tirelawsuits.ap/index.html |
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That doesn;t surprise me at all I have had 2 of them seperate that were far from wore out. I swear they are selling retreads. Maybe they will switch to goodrich. ------------------ |
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Howdy! Careful. Read the article carefully as it doesn't mention the Steeltex AT, which is the model Ford has used on the F250/350 F-series for a few years. The models mentioned are common on the Explorer. I had a st on my 97 F350 that performed very well in a farming environment, and even lasted over 40K miles, much on gravel roads. Now, that's not to say some folks can't have trouble, as Justin well proves. Yet, I don't think this is anything to get excited over. Best Regards, |
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information like this is always appreciated, but in defense of Firestone, I've got 51,000 on mine,wearing flat, never been off the truck. In the rain,the back end is starting to get a little loose accelerating from a stop, but that's probably due to the engine torque,tire tread starting to get on down {& my right foot}. My biggest concern is the electrolysis (?)between the hub & wheel, I've already got some anti-seize for when the time comes but that won't help getting them off for the first time. ------------------ |
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IWSII, 50k and never off the vehicle? And wearing flat? That's amazing, you always have to rotate every 5k to get that kind of wear. |
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I'd almost bet every manufacturer has had a tire failure or two along the way. I've had a couple speed rated Goodyear tires fail on my cop cars over the years (try loosing a rear tire from tread separation at 125 mph in a slight curve some day  ). I had a General tire fail once when we ran those. My Firestone Steeltex on my 99 where wearing very well at 20,000 when I sold it. Only have 5000 miles on my 2000, so too early to tell. We need more info than what that article says, after all, LAWYERS are involved!  |
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The Steeltex part came from searching NHTSA's site for "Firestone". http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/whatsup/foia/requests/index.cfm Look at document #1209, which specifically mentions Steeltex. The ATX part came from the CNN article. Are these our ATX/Steeltex radials, I don't know, but they might be. FYI. You draw your own conclusions.
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Jeff, All that is is a request to NHTSA under the FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) to see what if any data they have on Firestone Steeltex tire failures. Doesn't mean they do or do not have any. It's just a request.
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I'm very happy with it, was scared to brag about it, after reading the problems some people have had getting the rims to break loose from the hubs with far less miles, I figure I will pay in the near future (when I do have to get new tires, I guessing 10,000 more miles)for my good luck so far. ------------------ |
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"Fatality DUE to tread separation..." That is like saying "Accident DUE to rainy conditions..." Generally, any accident occurring after a tread separation is a driver over reaction to an event that, while probably surprising, should not significently affect the handling characterisics of the vehicle. People do stupid things when they hear the banging of the tread on the undercarriage, or the normally minor lurch as the tread comes off. But they also do stupid things all the time, and get them selves killed. Test after test has shown that a vehicle is easily controlled in almost all circumstances during a tread separation or rapid deflation (blow-out). Only by over-braking, jerking the wheel, or other improper response does the vehicle lose directional stability. And, if you did the same moves with the tire in fine condition, you could induce the same loss of directional stability. Sure, at 120 mph, like Troutly was doing, things can get a little hairy, but at 120 mph, any change in the vehicle can make things hairy. And, if you heard about a guy going 120 mph and wrecking, would you honestly blame the tires? As Troutly well knows, at 120, the driver is the captain of the ship, and takes blame for everything that goes wrong or right. I'm not a fan of Firestone at all, and back when they had the problems with their 500's, I was one of the one's in line for a free set of new tires. And perhaps they are having a tread separation problem, but blaming deaths on tread separation is almost as ludicrous as blaming deaths on fuel cackle. If it weren't for silly jurors and a society that won't take resposibility for their own actions, the only news here would be that you might have to waste an afternoon at the tire-shop getting your tires swapped. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Diesel Jay (edited 07-31-2000).]
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Bob, Have you ever had a tire delaminate going 75 mph on a truck? I did and it almost sent me into oncoming traffic before I even had a chance to react, and this was during ideal road and weather conditions. My experience tells me it could be very easy to get killed at highway speeds with this type of problem, over-reaction or not. These are trucks not not sports cars. You're comment seems pretty ignorant from my point of view. ------------------ |
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Tread seperation is a NO-JOKE experience. Had this happen in a car I was driving a couple years ago. Sent the car sideways instantly, no overreaction...luckily I was able to save it after a couple of counter steers and get off the road. Thank goodness I wasn't next to a rig!! |
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Bob, In this case, I get to take credit for what was done right ( although I used up most of two lanes to get it stopped |
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I have to say that so far my experience {3,000,000 18 wheeler,last half hauling livestock,+ 600,000 in 4 & 6 wheelers} I would tend to agree with Bob. Not to say something may happen tomorrow to change my mind, but so far, maybe it was luck but I don't think it was all luck, tire failures on the steering axle were always interesting to say the least, but I never felt like I almost lost it. I can see where one could, but its much like the proverbial running off the right side of the road, over correcting, and at that point you are just along for the ride. Or going off the left side of the interstate, most people snatch it back up and usually lay it over, barring a bridge or overpass,if you let it settle on down in the middle you can drive it back up;snatching the wheel will almost always just get you in deeper in trouble, you can't upset your momentum (if there's one thing cattle taught me its that). Just my opinion. ------------------ |
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quote: And Troutly, isn't that why you're paid the big bucks??? ------------------ |
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Koakey, It's either that, or they had no one else to choose from.... |
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quote: Troutly, I prefer to give you guys the benefit of the doubt up front and have to prove otherwise rather than assuming you're all weasels up front. ------------------ |
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I think Ford has really got a problem with the Firestone tires, especially the ones used on Explorers. They can say Firestone built them, but they have got a ton of complaints, reports of accidents, injuries, deaths, and a bunch of lawsuits. Ford is just as culpable in this for continuing to use the tires when they knew they had a big problem. This story is going to be big very soon, ie Dateline, 60 Minutes etc.
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quote: Like I think that media shows like this are honest and unbiased??? These guys can make a mountain out of valley. I still remember Dateline getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar with respect to gas tank fires. There might be a legit problem but for me, those news shows don't have alot of credibility. ------------------ |
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My son had bad experience with Firestone Wilderness tire. Right front blew at 20,000 I435 KC, MO. He rotated twice and checked air pressure religiously. Just another good tire story from Firestone. You want real tires - buy Yokohamas!!
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Hey, bennettj, one problem with YOKO's, I was born in America and drive an American truck! Just kiddin!! ------------------ |
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Generals bubble up on the sidewalls......I think the whole thing with stock tires is run them for 25,000 and put on after market tires . |
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I am planning on taking off original tires (and selling for best $) and replacing with BF Goodrich All Terrain TA when ordered 2001 PSD arrives mid Sept. BFG started making these tires back in the mid or early 70’s and I have had many sets. NEVER a single problem. They are nice and round and balance easily. I have hit chuck holes at speed in the dark in Michigan and broke the shock absorbers (Monroe Gas Magnums) without damaging tires. I would like to be able to order this tire when I order the truck. All the manufacturers subject you to their particular brand of original equipment junk tire. ------------------ |
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quote: Looks like you hit it right on the head Autotech... I just went out to see what model tires are on the beast and found a nice 1" crack in the sidewall of one of them... ------------------ |
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seen something on cnn i believe last nite. this involved firestone at, atz and wilderness tires. my psd has steelex atx on it. sounded like mostly explorers. they did show one where the tire shredded and the family was all laid out in the median by emts awaiting help.
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Since finding a 1" crack in the sidewall of one of my factory tires (Firestone Steeltex R4S) I've really started wondering about how safe these tires are. My plan all along has been to wait until these tires are used up then go to a BFG A/T. Now I'm wondering if I shouldn't trash the Firestones and buy the BFGs now. $600 is nothing compared to my family's safety... ------------------ |
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Well,y'all can say what you want about the Steeltex....I for one have had impeccable luck running them on my trucks.I've run almost every manuf. tire out there in a 235/85/16 config. and my experience has been that they ride the best,last the longest,are not prone to wear as bad or chop,and track the best on wet roads.These have been on wreckers and duallies and the duallies' trailers and have seen the worst of conditions and I've even been known to drag half-flat ones another 100 miles (only on the trailer,but I could see it bulgin' in the mirror) to my next stop to avoid wasting time and have never,ever had one seperate or blow out.I had a brand new (as in purchased the same day) Bridgestone seperate and blow out (yeah,yeah, I know alot of manufacturers share the same tire under a different name) ,Generals ride like they're square (ask a dealer how many they've replaced because of that) and my Michelins only lasted 30k miles (although they did ride good) compared to 50 or 60k on my Firestones and then they go another 25 or 30k on the trailer-without not once rotating them (probably due to a professional alignment and my own impeccable driving skill  *yeah,yeah-joke*) .I do know though that we have recovered several rollovers involving Explorers (pay attention-with 15 inch tires not load rated like the 235's-not even in the same ballpark) and even some due to blowouts (which were pretty obviously under-inflated),in fact,I think we recovered more Explorers rolled over than any other vehicle.More of them on the road? Maybe.The driver over-corrected? Almost always.Unstable vehicle?Maybe moreso than some,but there are several vehicles that are unstable,just these are very popular,I dunno.I'm sure there'll be heated talk about the subject and maybe even some hot-shot lawyer will force a settlement,but I don't think the tires were the cause,unless maybe by being underinflated (is that the tires' fault? How many people drive the interstate and see all the recaps scattered everywhere due to heat caused by underinflation?),but properly maintained by a skilled driver I don't think,personally,there would have been near as many,if any,accidents,but that's just my experience with a particular tire,and my opinion (derived from my own experiences)about SUV rollovers.G'night!------------------ |
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GOOD NEWS AS OF 7 PM EST ON CBS NEWS THEY STATED FIRESTONE WAS GOING TO DO A RECALL ON THESE TIRES. I OWN TWO SETS AND THEY CAN HAVE THEM BOTH BACK. THE ONLY PROBLEM MIGHT BE THEY WANT TO REPLACE THEM WITH MORE FIRESTONES. NOT ME!!!!! ------------------ |
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SUPER WONDER DAWG, Do you think they'll slap on a set of Michelins for you? Richard ------------------ |
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I have also had nothing but good luck with Firestone Steeltex tires. I've had three sets so far and had no problems. I've had Goodyear, BFG and others and none were as maintenance free and good wearing as the Firestones. The BFG AT's I had went out of round before half the tread was gone! Make a great tire and get sued. Go figure! ------------------ |
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I'll also vouch for the firestone's (so far). @55K, it looks like I'll get 80K+ miles out of them, without any rotation or alignment since the truck was purchased. I think keeping the pressures up @65-70lbs really helps but doesn't do wonders for the ride. ------------------
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I had 3 blowouts on a '90 E-350 van equipped with Steeltex tires, all with less than 15,000 miles on them. All blew from a buldging sidewall. I was told it was belt separation. Carried 70-75 lbs. of air, checked regularly, no driving with under/over inflated tires. |
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I heard on the news last night that the Firestone AT, ATX, and Wilderness were previously recalled in six (6) other countries as far back as two (2) years ago! Firestone knew the tires were crap. They probably made a low bid for Ford to use them on the Explorer. Ford was well aware of the crappy tires because Ford has had hundreds of prior complaints. Did they care? No. Money talks and dead people can't. LOTS of people, just like you and me, died. People at Firestone and Ford should go to JAIL. It's one thing to have a failure. It's another to have hundreds and not do anything about it. ------------------ |
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RHALE I DON'T KNOW TALKED TO THE DEALER TODAY THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE DETAILS ON THE RECALL. ------------------ |
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The only tires I can find that are being recalled are 15-inchers. We don't have 15-inch tires on our PSDs. So let's close this thread here and continue the discussion in the Other forum. Smokey Wren |
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FYI: Some fatalities due to Firestone Steeltex tread separation
Re: FYI: Some fatalities due to Firestone Steeltex tread separation
Re: FYI: Some fatalities due to Firestone Steeltex tread separation
Re: FYI: Some fatalities due to Firestone Steeltex tread separation
Re: FYI: Some fatalities due to Firestone Steeltex tread separation
Re: FYI: Some fatalities due to Firestone Steeltex tread separation
