Tire Shaving ?

afterburn 549 · 06-02-2023, 02:42 AM

What used to be normal maintenance has disappeared. Tires are better today, but still they can get flat spots.
Does anyone have an idea as to how to round up tires without buying a 10K machine?

Thats the proposed question here for doit to yourselfers.

oldE · 06-02-2023, 02:59 AM

My only frame of reference for tire shaving is in racing applications where treaded tires were mandatory but the tread could be rendered more stable by shaving the tread to reduce depth to legal minimums. If a street tire was badly enough out of round to make shaving an option for restoring concentricity, I suspect the tread in other areas would be reduced below minimums.

Best
Les

asphaltgambler · 03:12 AM

Why yes........yes I have run into this exact situation more than once. The solution believe it or not is an electrical hand planer (sp?). Look this up on UT where a guy shows you the method. I bought the cheapest unit from Harbour freight. Set my all wheel drive bmw up on 4 jack stands, tires @1" off the pavement. I have the planer set up where the blade rotates against normal tire rotation per side. Start the vehicle, put in gear, take it up to @15 - 20 mph at idle. Position the planer, handle down at slight angle on the ground, holding firmly. Then with it spinning sneak the unit up focusing on the center of the tread; high spot of the tire. The key is a tiny bit at a time, working the unit across the tread section.

If you only have 2 wheel drive, you'll need to rotate the non-drive wheels / tires to the drive axle. Also the tires will need rebalanced after for optimum results.

Two things before doing this. Buy extra blades as you'll only get 1-2 tires done before its too dull to use. Second thing is drive the vehicle at least 10 miles to put heat in the tires, relaxing the cords so there are not flat spots from sitting.

masraum · 06-02-2023, 03:59 AM

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Buy better tires!

I have long proffered Michelins as they are round. Really round. Very few weights needed to balance a Michelin. And they don't tend to get flat spots.

afterburn 549 · 06-02-2023, 05:11 AM

I have Michelins. Great tires, but I k ows I have some square ones on here.
Years ago, Michelin service would shave tires ad part of thir service...but today is different.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 06-02-2023, 05:31 AM

What are the date codes? Sitting so long to be permanently square they might be date-coded out.

A930Rocket · 06-02-2023, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Hahaha!😂

cockerpunk · 06-02-2023, 06:24 AM

call around. there are some old shops that still do tire shaving.

i also use the burnout method on my flatspotted tires.

70SATMan · 06-02-2023, 07:41 AM

For the price of gas, one could just drive the vehicle periodically to avoid flat spotting a tire. You know that kind of “maintenance” does wonders for the entire vehicle.

masraum · 06-02-2023, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70SATMan

For the price of gas, one could just drive the vehicle periodically to avoid flat spotting a tire. You know that kind of “maintenance” does wonders for the entire vehicle.

My experience is that flat spots from sitting and/or cold weather go away after the car is driven a few miles.

But I haven't ever had them from months of sitting. I guess that could be different, but I'd be surprised. I know that as tires wear, the ride isn't as smooth. I've often wondered if shaving and/or rebalancing would fix the problem, but when I notice the tires are usually about ready for replacement anyway.

I have once, gotten flat spots from locking up the tires in an unsuccessful threshold braking incident. It may have been possible to shave the problem away, but I just bought new tires instead.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 06-02-2023, 08:19 AM

^^^

Tires are the only thing connecting your car to the road so you never want to skimp on tires, brakes too of course. And tires contribute significantly to braking so they are sort of important.

If flat spots won't come out after some driving, I would consider the tires junk and irresponsible to drive on them. All it takes is one emergency maneuver and you are out of control and in the blink of an eye someone is killed or injured for life. Because you didn't want to buy new tires.

stomachmonkey · 06-02-2023, 08:28 AM

Shaving with a tire?

Is that similar to waxing where the rubber heats up so it can grab the hairs and yank em out?

Seems like it would leave some significant abrasions or do you lube up the tire with some Armour All or something like that?

Definitely not for me but you do you.

I would test an inconspicuous spot and perfect your technique before moving on to manscapinng.

masraum · 06-02-2023, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

^^^

Tires are the only thing connecting your car to the road so you never want to skimp on tires, brakes too of course. And tires contribute significantly to braking so they are sort of important.

If flat spots won't come out after some driving, I would consider the tires junk and irresponsible to drive on them. All it takes is one emergency maneuver and you are out of control and in the blink of an eye someone is killed or injured for life. Because you didn't want to buy new tires.

Yep, buy the best tires you can afford. And by best, I mean max grip. I avoid max life because long life tires are generally hard as a rock with poor grip. I guess if you're a grandparent that drives like you've got Miss Daisy in the back, that might be OK. If/when I start driving like that, run me off the road and into an abutment.

schwarz633 · schwarz633's Garage

There is a small tire shop here that claimed to shave all new tires that they installed. Many years ago I had flat spotted my tires avoiding a deer collision and asked them if they could true them up. They wouldn't use their equipment on anything other than new tires, I guess the small stones in the siping makes the cutter dull very quickly.

afterburn 549 · 06-02-2023, 09:36 AM

I run one of the most expensive tires around- Michelin Cross Climate, and they do work well! Maybe suburb!
They are SPENDY!
But I have become a bit of a fanatic as I do my own tire changes (mount and dismounts ) and balance.
I have had to, as my nearest store is 60 miles away and too stupid to deal with.
I do know the difference between flat spots and tire runouts and balance. ( I have a Ballancer here too)
These need to be trued up.
We average about 20k a year alone on this car , no sitting.
Some of you jump to conclusions about stuff....
So don't flame me for wanting a round tire.....
I will look into the advice above with a HF Plane,, and Thanx !

fastfredracing · 06-02-2023, 09:39 AM

Because nobody likes hairy tires

afterburn 549 · 06-02-2023, 10:04 AM

Thanx ! asphaltgambler

Crude, but looks like it might work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv8vLa3RwuI

Zeke · 06-02-2023, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schwarz633

There is a small tire shop here that claimed to shave all new tires that they installed. Many years ago I had flat spotted my tires avoiding a deer collision and asked them if they could true them up. They wouldn't use their equipment on anything other than new tires, I guess the small stones in the siping makes the cutter dull very quickly.

I was going to mention that. But the planer method makes changing blades cheap and easy. And if you get a nick the blade still works as you move it over. You can take a wire wheel to the surface beforehand but no guarantees.

Great idea. However, as a frequent user of an expensive 15" long Makita planer I can tell you that you don't want to be in front of the planer looking at what's being cut. I've had one explode and I was glad I was above and behind with both hands on the grips.

afterburn 549 · 12:54 PM

Being we got off track here ( imagine that) LOL)
If you live in the snow country I have to recommend the Cross Country! (pic above) ^^
It goes through the snow very predictable, with no surprises. the best part it is supposed to change with the heat and even be a better summer tire !
They are built to improve with age, and get a wider gripper tread pattern,-rather than becoming a worn-out good-for-nothing old snow tire!
It is way better for me as it is one less set of tires I have to store and swap around.
I have been looking for an old tire shaver ...Gave up.
That is why I posted here as I know the folks on this board always have answers!

You guys that never have heard about shaving probably never have heard about tire stitching either.? Or brake arcing machines.
We old guys have been around......