Be careful on I-40 near West Memphis

[Aquineas]

I hit what I think was a 5" deep pothole in the middle of the highway (40 eastbound) at 60mph and it blew out both passenger tires. Unfortunately, these are the Continentals, not the Hankooks, so this one's on me.

 

[greekgeek]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. Are the rims ok?

 

[Aquineas]

Thanks! They appear okay, but I really won't know until I get it back on the road. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[srobak]

Thanks! They appear okay, but I really won't know until I get it back on the road. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Have the tire shop put a run-out gauge on their balancer. They will probably have one on hand - if the shop is worth their salt. It will take a few passes - but with it they can measure variances on both the inner and outer vertical surfaces (rim lip/flange), as well as at multiple points along the horizontal surface (rim width) before putting new rubber on them. Don't settle for them (or you) eyeballing it - get the numbers.

Just my $.07

 

[CanukV6]

Might be worth checking with the TN Transportation Department, or whoever is responsible for that stretch or I-40, to see if any compensation is available.

 

[Genpire]

Might be worth checking with the TN Transportation Department, or whoever is responsible for that stretch or I-40, to see if any compensation is available.

ditto. if they failed to maintain the road and it caused damage to your car in normal operation...it's their fault.

 

[amartz]

I hit what I think was a 5" deep pothole in the middle of the highway (40 eastbound) at 60mph and it blew out both passenger tires.

Be *sure* you get your alignment checked. *SOON*!!

 

[HEY GURL]

Sorry to hear that Sean! That really sucks. Ughhh...

 

[Aquineas]

Thanks for the advice and the well-wishes folks. Since I'm on a trip to the Chicago area, I'm going to have the run-out tests done when I get home. At this point I'm filing an insurance claim since the tires were more than $600 and the wheel(s) will probably be more than that.

The comical thing is the tow truck driver informed me that sometimes they get 5-6 calls a day on that particular stretch of road. I suppose I could try to fight to reclaim my funds, but I'm not feeling up to the aggravation quotient at the moment (possibly because I'm zonked from my drive).

 

[srobak]

Thanks for the advice and the well-wishes folks. Since I'm on a trip to the Chicago area, I'm going to have the run-out tests done when I get home.

If you have any extra time - I am in the NW suburbs and have a runout rig we can do a rough test with. I can't dismount your tires and check the horizontal surface - but I can do the lips using it and a couple of jackstands.

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[Aquineas]

srobak, I really, *truly* appreciate the offer! Unfortunately it's already going to be a very full weekend, and I'm actually in Bourbonnais which is pretty far south of you. I can already tell one or more of the wheels is slightly bent. Above 75mph I feel a slight vibration. Unfortunately in order to get those replaced I've got to meet with an insurance adjuster and most dealerships will have to order the wheels anyway, which basically means I won't be getting it fixed until I'm back in Texas.

A couple of area observations:
1. I-57 through Central Illinois is quite possibly the most annoying place in the world to drive if you have a radar detector. It's downright sinister.
2. Wow, cold water came out of the faucet in August!!! That's unheard of in Texas.

 

[mdsbuc]

Wow, cold water came out of the faucet in August!!! That's unheard of in Texas.

I can relate to that feeling, LOL! (Living in Florida)

 

[Genpire]

2. Wow, cold water came out of the faucet in August!!! That's unheard of in Texas.

LOL....wait...why am I laughing...I live in TX too....dammit send me some cold water!!

 

[Alwaysforward]

Bummer Aquineas... Hope you make out good with your insurance adjuster.

 

[srobak]

I can already tell one or more of the wheels is slightly bent. Above 75mph I feel a slight vibration. Unfortunately in order to get those replaced I've got to meet with an insurance adjuster and most dealerships will have to order the wheels anyway, which basically means I won't be getting it fixed until I'm back in Texas.

Might be a good chance to get some schnazzy aftermarket rims at a fraction of the price of OEM - and pocket the rest.

 

[Aquineas]

The aftermarket rims are a good thought. Unfortunately I've yet to see any that I like more than the stock ones. Don't get me wrong I've seen some nice aftermarket wheels, but they just aren't grabbing me enough to switch. Hey, I'm open to convincing though! Srobak I should have taken you up for your offer. My late afternoon plans for today fell through and I'm as bored as a teenager on a family vacation lol.

Ah well off to Chicago tomorrow.

 

[srobak]

How about these - from Huddleston's build thread? Nice contrast with the white...

 

[Aquineas]

I ended up bending a rim so badly that it couldn't be repaired (yes, alloy rims can sometimes, perhaps even usually, be repaired at ~$160 a pop). The dealer ordered a new rim (at about $960[!!!] including mount and balancing) and hopefully it goes on tomorrow. Hopefully that will cure the vibration I've been having.

 

[srobak]

The dealer ordered a new rim (at about $960[!!!]

ffffFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!! \/\/HAT???

Dude - that's a SET of rims! NICE ones, too!

 

[Aquineas]

ffffFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!! \/\/HAT???

Dude - that's a SET of rims! NICE ones, too!

lol yeah I know. Still haven't seen a set that I love yet. Huddleston's are nice, but just don't "wow" me.