when a new ku31 calls it quits

[mx5002]

Yeah that could be a goer otherwise I'll just remove it for track days.
Contacted the tyre shop and emailed the pic.
Waiting to hear back

[Lokiel]

For the benefit of others, if this is in fact a batch manufacturing issue, can you please post the manufacture date?

From http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/passenger/care/age.aspx

How do I tell the age of a tyre?

All tyres are produced with a serial Tyre Identification Number (or serial TIN) that shows the date of manufacture of a tyre (See Figure 1&2 below). The last three digits (for tyres made pre 2000) or four digits (for post 2000 tyres) of the serial TIN indicate the week and year that the tyre was made. For example, Figure 1 below shows a tyre made in the 37th week of 1995 and Figure 2 shows a tyre made in the 12th week of 2004. Also a tyre made in the 1990's can be distinguished from a tyre made in the 1980's due to a triangular indentation after the last number which is not present on 1980's tyres.


Figure 1: Serial code for 37th week of 1995


Figure 2: Serial code for 12th week of 2004

[project.r.racing]

I had 2 KU31s do it to me also in 215/35R18 size. I notice when doing an oil change that the rim protecter looked funky on both my front tyres for a 5-10cm section. Basicly a bubble and the rim protector was meant to be round following the wheel rim/lip, it was a 10cm straight line.

A week later the 10cm had gone around the whole inside of the tyre except a small 5cm section. The 2 plys had seperated on both the tyre's inner sidewalls.

2 tyres, both front wheels.

Actually felt like driving on snow by the end of the week. I thought I had a busted tie rod or something cos the steering just become so wobbly. My feet actually felt like they were in a swing as the whole front end swayed left to right over the road.

[mx5002]

Kumho's distributor had decided they will replace the tyre free of charge. He did mention the slight wear mark (feathering) on the outside edge of the tyre but was more interested in lecturing me on how my 195/50/15 belongs on a 7 inch wheel. I have 8's
Anyhow they will courier the wheel and tyre back to me this afternoon

Note to hunt down another set of wheels and semi's before the next track day.

He also ruled out a batch problem a mine is the first he's ever seen like this

[Apu]

Excellent service from Kumho. It's quite obvious they figured you had been "driving pretty hard" and not fitted the tyre to the correct wheel size. They could have easily said "misuse, tough luck".

[davekmoore]

Top work Kumho.