Sidewall split and another bilstein (X spring)question - Diesel Forum

TXANGLER · 03-26-2002, 11:24 AM

Looking at my Firestones today and noticed 2"-2 1/2" vertical slit near the raised white lettering. This is a smooth, clean "cut". Doesn't look like road hazard but has anyone else experienced this? Am I looking at a poetential blowout? Do I take it to the dealer or Firestone authorized store (Discount Tire)for a warranty claim??

Also, need to buy shocks (Bilstein's) but will also be lifting using X springs/airbags hopefully soon. Do I need to buy the 5100's for lifted vehicles or the 6208/09's? What is the consensus on steering stabilizers?

Thanks
Txangler

cliebold · 03-26-2002, 11:29 AM

check out my pixs...looks like i have done to ine all that you want.....the stock bilsteins are fine for a non-lifted truck. Meaning I have them on the x spring conversion and they are fine.

DJH · 03-26-2002, 01:47 PM

The same thing happened to my tires, at least on three of them. I went to my local Firestone dealer and they gave me $80 credit per tire, on all four, towards my new 285 Bridgestone Dueler ATs. It was a nice deal. Find a Firestone dealer and see what they'll do. BTW, my original tires had about 17K miles on them.

TXANGLER · 03-26-2002, 02:04 PM

Cliebold, thanks for the info.
DJH, mine has 16K. I'm going to got check the other 3 very closely. Did you notice a smoother, quieter ride with the Dueler's?
Txangler

DJH · 03-28-2002, 04:41 PM

TX,

I would say the Dueler ATs are quieter, though not dramatically, but they do ride a lot smoother. I like them a lot. Also noticeable was at low speed turns such as from street to a driveway, there used to be a "grab" of the driveway lip on the tires that jerked the steering wheel a little - that is now gone. I'm very happy with them. I have Dueler ATs on my little 4X4 Suzuki and am very happy with them there, too. Go for it...

Dan

shamuex2000 · 03-28-2002, 06:27 PM

I had the Radial ATX/AT's on my Explorer for, believe it or not, 135K miles. They all had sidewall splits radiating out from the white letters. One tire was worse than the other three, and that tire also had the most un-even wear at time of death. They shook from when they were new. They just went from bad to worse. I just wanted to use them up, but they just refused to die. No blow-outs, but one of the tires mysteriously developed a leak without any signs of a puncture. That was it, off they came although the tread probably would have gone to 150K. I think one of the issues with the 'stones is the tread lasts longer than the tire if you know what I mean. Lots of people gripe about the wet traction, so maybe the tread compound is too hard and out-lasts the sidewalls? The Michelins I put on next went to about 145K miles. No sidewall issues. I wouldn't mess with these sidewall issues on a vehicle as heavy as the EX.