Tires: Michelin tire out of round, michelin sport, michelin tire

Question
Hi,

I bought a set of Michelin Sport Pilot MMX tires about 5 years ago for a custom car. The tires sat in my bedroom for about 3 years and then were on my car in a garage for the last 2 years. I finally got the car on the road last week and discovered a high-speed (65 mph+) vibration and discovered one of the front wheels is spinning concentric to the axle but the tire is not. I'm sure this is the cause of the vibration.

I called The Wheel Works and they said I have tire-seperation and the tire is garbage. Does that sound right? Can a tire stored indoors for 5 years seperate?

Thanks,

Darvin

Answer
Darvin,

First confirm the tire is moving relative to the rim.  Mark the location of the valve stem on the tire with a crayon (it will wipe off!)  The mark ought to change relative position compared to the valve stem.

If that is the case, then you have to break the tire and rim assembly apart and clean both of the mating surfaces of the tire and the rim with alcohol.  I recommend alcohol because other solvents will damage either the rim or the rim.  I would do all 4 tires, not just the one you think is the problem.

BUT

I'll bet that is not the problem.  So if the tire is not rotating relative to the rim, then you have developed a flat spot in the tire due to sitting so long in one spot.  Sometimes these flat spots are temporary and they will gradually get better - and sometimes they are permanent.  If you haven't noticed any improvement so, far, I'm guess you have 2 choices - live with the vibration or buy new tires.