Tire failure of S03 at 80 mph, Bad Valve stem?
 

I was stuck on the Highway yesterday after my fairly new S03 (2 years old, 3000 miles) failed. It was a hot day, but not extreme. I noticed a vibration at about 75 MPH and slowed to a stop within a minute. After removing the wheel, I took these photo's.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1118020379.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1118020423.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1118020473.jpg

After taking these pictures, I inflated the tire to find out the valve stem had cracked on the inner portion next to the rim. These were put in new with the tires 2 years ago. What surprises me is how the tire got trashed from just the loss of air. Am I missing something (Do I have any reason to expect any discounting from TireRack?)

It's not often a tire goes flat on three sides. Just kidding. Contacting Tire Rack is worth a try but unlikely anything will happen there. Regarding the valve stem, that is very unusual and unfortunate. Incidentally, what kind of air pressure are you running. It looks like a lot of wear down the middle for only three thousand miles. I have S02's with more than twice that many miles with twice the tread remaining that were new two years ago as well. Sorry I'm not more sympathetic to your plight but I think at least two new tires are in your future.

Clint

I had the same thing happen to me except I was running Dunlops, the air steam failed...not sure what caused it but the tire was only 3 months old...bummer.

Wayne C.
83 SC

I thought the tires were wearing pretty fast also. I run around 36lbs rear. These tires don't get much use. I run track tires at all the DE events and I trailer the car. The street tires are usually just for running around picking up movies and wine. (Hey, I'm married!) I do like to get the back end "light" when I can, maybe its catching up with me. I guess those valve supports aren't just for show. The next ones I will get will be full metal one like my Fikse's have.

I was told that the valve stems are a necessity above 80 mph. One guy told me that he didn't know how BMW's and the "ricer" crowd runs around at speed without supports. The metal ones are the way to go.

Brian

contact B'stone - they may not give you any $$, but at least you can help ID any manf. defects, or add to their database on failures.

There is a reason that Porsche installed valve stem supports. IMO you are asking for a disaster to not use them. Better yet is a a set of steel stems. Think how much fun that can be if you loose the air quickly at speed.

Are you certain the stem didn't break after the failure, and something else might be the cause?

No, I'm not. That is whats puzzling. I think the tire looks so bad is because is lost air, got hot, and then cooled, leaving the tire "sucked in". After I inflated it, the only obvious problem I noticed was the valve stem. I've had flat tires before, some while going relatively fast. None wound up with the damage seen on this tire.

Do you ask for metal valve stems when the tires are installed? I didn't realize you had the option.

Depends on the wheels. Took me awhile to actually find steel stems that would fit a Fuchs. Before that I used OEM supports. Now I deliver wheel, tire and stem and what them being done.

Can you put the OEM supports on any FUCHS wheel? Can I buy the supports at my dealer? How are they installed?

They are stick on. Just clean the wheels and stick them on supporting the stem. Pelican has them as well. You also need slide on stem supports to brace the support against.

Found 'em for $3.85 each on Pelican. Thanks!

C-361-561-01

You're welcome. FWIW steel stems and caps are something like $6.00 each next time you change tires. I bought 4 sets last time I was at Les Schwab for under $100 with tax.

One of my wheels cant hold air with a rubber valve stem if its life depended on it. I had my share of problems traveling at high speeds on the freeway.

I wont put anything but the metal bolt on ones on my car.

Do they make the metal ones in aluminum (or are they all steel)?

My Infiniti has an OEM tire pressure monitoring system and it has aluminum valve stems. Kinda nice (and light).

When I had my Hoosiers mounted, the tire place was inflating the tire and the rubber valve stem failed, it just ripped wide open. It was less than 1 year old. I promptly went to steel stems.

89911 needs to remove the tire from the wheel so that a competent tire person can inspect the inside of the tire. Herein lies the history of the tire and subsequent care that it recieved by the owner. For instance, possible damage due to neglect of an earlier repair and possible destruction of the inner liner, as well as a history of over or under inflation. The valve stem is suspect here and I think a couple of things should be considered such as proper installation and possible material defect.
As far as rubber vs metal valve stems it's unlikely the heat or the speed have any adverse affect on the rubber stem. Under normal street driving of course. If steel turns your crank and this is what makes you feel safer then go for it but it's not really necessary for the duty our cars see.

Just taking into account Porsche's engineering and marketing a valve stem support seems required on their cars. I have never seen another production car delivered with valve stems supports as OEM equipment. Loosing a valve stem at 100mph aint pretty no matter how good the tire is. SO3s are some of the better performance tires available and most 911s on the board see 100mph a couple of times a year.

Steel stems or Porsche valve stem supports are cheap insurance.
I would consider my car (or yours) unsafe without one or the other.