Vanimaniac

First of all I just want to thank the good Lord that I am not in the hospital right now.

So anyways, I was driving home from work tonight and once I got out on the highway I noticed a huge wobble in the car. The car was swaying from side to side with the slightest movement of the steering wheel. I was only going 60 to 65 MPH. I knew I had a slight leak in my left rear tire so I figured it must have turned into a BIG leak while parked at work. So I just happened to be coming up to an exit where I usually go to air up my tires. I pulled up to the pump, got out, and checked the left rear tire that usually goes low on me. Nope not that tire this time. So I walked around to the other side and the right rear tire was almost completely empty. Why? I don't know. I only live 5 minutes away so I decided to air it up and go home and figure out what to do next.

Well, I started to air it up and it seemed like it was filling up. However, I couldn't notice any change in the sidewall as I was airing it up. Granted, it was kinda dark behind the gas station. I heard what sounded to me like rocks, gravel etc. adjusting underneath the tire so I assumed it was taking in air. I stopped and thought for a second to make sure that the sound was what I thought it was. I started to air it up again and before I knew it BOOOOOOMMMMM! The tire exploded! Smoke, dust, etc. went spraying everywhere and knocked me back a bit. Sounded and felt like a gun went off in my face!

I couldn't have been airing it up for more than 10 total seconds. I can't believe that I could have overinflated the tire from "flat" to "explode" in that amount of time. Something went wrong. I just can't figure out what. Luckily the tire blew from the inside and not the outside or I probably wouldn't be typing this right now! The force of the explosion blew out part of the carpeting in the inner wheel well. I have that as a momento now.

Luckily for me, since I had an autocross yesterday (no I don't autocross on my street tires) I had all my equipment still in the car. So I jacked up the car and pulled the blown tire off and put on the 17" OEM spare and drove home.

Here's a couple pics. Anyone have any idea why this happened? I inspected the tire and saw 3 or 4 nails/sharp metal objects in the tire so I guess that explains the flat. I just don't see why it would blow up from any other reason but overinflation. And right before it happened it still looked flat.

That's part of the wheel well carpet sitting inside the wheel.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/Vanimaniac/Randomness/blowntire.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/Vanimaniac/Randomness/blowntire2.jpg">

I need a drink!
Van

p.s. Anyone have two 235/40/18's laying around collecting dust? Just need enough tread to last me til the end of the month or so. Ah, forget it. Guess I'm putting on teh winter setup early this year!

slm4buffs

I wonder if you got some bubble on the side there and it blew when you gave it some air?

Damn, glad you didn't get hurt.

J4SON

I'm thinking the same thing as slm, maybe there was a bubble?

TANMAN

Go buy some powerball tickets. Your luck is up there. Glad you're ok.

yoogene

dang Van, that's pretty freaky stuff. glad you didn't get hurt

Reggie

Glad you are OK

M3iRiSH

That would have scared the **** out of me.

03Indigo

if you think it was anything with those tires, let me know...I have the same tires and have had slow leaks from time to time as well...not that I am overly worried at this point. Putting my winter set up on tomorrow...need to get them mounted first.

Reggie

What tires are those? could not see the pic well here at work

Vanimaniac

I'm gonna try to contact Falken and see if they have had this problem or complaint before.