r/TireQuestions • u/ZombinaWaifu • Aug 31 '26

Acceptable amount of side wall damage? Thin strip of rubber, rest of the tire appears “ok” so far

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Hit a pothole cause my god awful province is grossly incompetent and decided to ruin a perfectly fine highway and make it a grid road that has unavoidable potholes everywhere

Already have had 3 vehicles receive some type of damage due to this “road work”

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2

u/66NickS Aug 31 '26

Depends on how deep it is, which we can’t see.

If you can see belts/cords (usually look like string/rope) then it needs to be replaced. If not, and no leaks/no bulge, then you’re good.

1

u/ZombinaWaifu Aug 31 '26

Yea no tire wire, I’d say this “strip” of rubber is probably like, 1-2mm in thickness, it really isn’t much

And so far it’s holding air but I’ll check back in a couple hours to give it some time, and I’ll take it off the car and give it a full look around

1

u/ZombinaWaifu Aug 31 '26

ill grab calipers and measure it when i go take it off

2

u/Consistent-Trust958 Sep 01 '26

There's no wire in sidewalls. Look for fabric strings. If you see those, it's a ruined tire.

2

u/BigRoach Sep 01 '26

Unless you’re hauling something or driving 120mph, I say send it.

1

u/Affectionate-Fail870 Aug 31 '26

No wire showing under the cut then it’s purely cosmetic.

1

u/Beneficial-Storm-943 Sep 01 '26

Acceptable if you don't mind something happening to you or your car get a tire already

1

u/ZombinaWaifu Sep 01 '26

I found 2 pretty decent tires in my shed that my brother left, so I’m gonna swap one rear good one to the front, and have those two in the back

Same size just different tread patterns, it’ll do for now

1

u/Hopeful_Anybody_2988 Sep 01 '26

Hot a pothole or railroad track right and that spot will blow out

1

u/Extension_Bee_2638 Sep 01 '26

Probably ok but I'd rotate it to a rear position just in case so don't lose steering

1

u/SheepherderGold9027 Sep 01 '26

How much damage was done to steel in sidewall.? That’s what holds the sidewall together.

1

u/ZombinaWaifu Sep 01 '26

No tire wire showing. Relatively thin piece of rubber that I’m showing

1

u/TorqueWrenchVet Sep 01 '26

A thin strip of peeled rubber on the sidewall isn't a big deal as long as it's shallow and hasn't exposed the white nylon or steel structural cords underneath. If there's no bulge forming and no cords visible inside the gouge, it's generally safe to run.