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Near death experience on the turnpike!

3K views 31 replies 14 participants last post by  Retroman1969 
#1 ·
Was going to post this week about a bad shimmy I was starting to get in the steering wheel at 55-60 MPH, but today, on the turnpike, at 70mph, I got my question violently answered. :0
 
#3 ·
Cruising along, suddenly the front end started hoping up and down violently with a rapid metallic BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!!! Then a shower of sparks and plastic parts and the thick ribbon of tread flew up in the air beside me and landed on the road behind.
I was able to regain control and pull safely over, but was shocked when I got out. Never seen this happen before!
Already have the replacement broken parts ordered.... But first.... New set of tires! :0
 
#12 ·
They look like GY GSA's , which they have not made for a while. Those were not re treads were they? I have never seen a tread seperate from a casing like that on an name brand tire
 
#14 ·
As far as I know they're not retreads, but could be very old. I'm just the second owner of this 2000 model, and service records show it was only driven 120 miles in the past two years. I wouldn't be surprised if this was just the second set of tires it has ever had.
I've never seen anything like it either from a passenger vehicle tire.

Thanks Surf! Yes, it could easily have been a major disaster.
 
#16 ·
Old tires are just like old rubber bands. Age makes them snap real easy. I learned that the hard way on the front end of a used class A motor home that I bought (with tires that "looked" great) but come to find out were about 10 or 11 years old and a lot of sitting around. They start rotting from the inside out. When I buy new tires now, I always check the date codes to make sure they're not selling me new old stock.
 
#18 ·
I had a tire come apart like that a few years ago while driving a friends truck. The tire wasn't a retread either just old. The amazing thing was that even with all the tread gone the darn tire still held air pressure. It allowed me to limp to a service station and get the spare put on. Would have changed the tire on the side of the interstate but my buddy didn't have a jack in the truck. When it happens it seems like all hell breaks loose and you just hold on and try to keep the vehicle straight and slowing down without losing control
 
#19 ·
Holy arthritis Batman!!
I just looked at the date code on the back of the tire. March, 2000!
No wonder it disintegrated! It also had four large deep indentations worn into it that match the bumpers on the tire carrier. This must have been the original spare, and the previous owners wrecked a tire recently and put this on the ground. I didn't notice because they're all Goodyear Wranglers, but this is the only GSA. the other three are AT/D2's.
So much for the mystery of the failing tire. ;)

PS: "all hell breaking loose" is a good description of the experience.
Fortunately most of what was destroyed was going to be replaced soon anyway. My flares were dry and faded, light lens on that side was cracked, steps rusty, was going to have my detail man buff and polish the paint to get out the light scuffs.

Any recommendations on a decent set of stock sized A/T tires in the under $200-each range? I'll probably be going to 4Wheel Performance, since the regular shops don't have much in the way of choice on Jeep tires, in stock anyway.

Thanks guys! :)
 
#20 ·
Just glad you are okay. Sorry about your TJ. But it all can be fixed.

My 2003 came stock with those same GSA Wrangler tires. They were what I have always called Test Drive Tires. They have an excellent, quiet ride on smooth, dry pavement. As soon as you get them out of that narrow "comfort zone" they are just terrible tires.

Good riddance. Pretty much *anything* you get will be better than that ancient GSA model Wrangler.
 
#21 ·
Thanks Holton!
I just plunked down $1,000 to have a set of Bridgestone Mud Terrain tires installed, plus some new step bars. Jeep will be ready tomorrow. ;)

A couple of times I've found myself nearly stuck in muddy areas or creek beds in some of the locations where I've had to photograph, so the more aggressive tires should be a help.
 
#22 ·
You will like having decent tires. They will really change how your TJ rides and handles. Muds will be a bit disconcerting on the highway at first. They can be much more stiff feeling and louder. Some howl. However, they will make your rig able to do more right away, and with some experience will really help you out of some situations that your old tires were failing at. Things you have always been able to do okay will now be easier. Some things that you could not do at all will become more accessible.

Have a great time!
 
#24 ·
I still have an old GSA in my tire smorgasbord. The GSA is about worn out and makes me nervous. The others are two Goodyear RSA's, and a Pathmaker. All are P235 75 15. The spare is a discontinued Firestone P225 75 15. What kind of moron owned this thing before me? 63,600 miles now so they are probably the second set of tires on this 2004. I am afraid to look at the date on them, especially the GSA. Plan to order new tires this weekend--probably General Grabber AT2's in 30 x 9.5 x 15. Can't wait, and after reading this post none too soon! Glad you are okay.
 
#25 ·
WOW!! this a true eye opener for me. the spare on my '06 is a GSA. never been on the road. still has the little knobs and bits from its manufacturing. when it comes time to replace tires i'll be doing all five

glad this worked out as well as it did for you, Retroman, and no one or anything was hurt worse than it was.
 
#27 ·
Thank you guys! :)

Old Red is ready to roll again. Amazing the difference a fresh set of decent tires makes. It's perfectly smooth, no vibrations or jiggle at any speed. More stable, pleasant ride and handling. I'm glad this has triggered others to double check their tires. I've always taken for granted that if they had tread and no cracks they were fine. Stay safe out there! ;)
 
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