Small chunk missing from tire sidewall

[steved0x]

I just got back from road Atlanta where I drove on new Nitto NT-01 tires. I remember one of them had a tiny piece of rubber coming off, like maybe it was bumped I shipping, but it was very minor and discount tire had no issue with it.

I was just inspecting my tires now that I am back, and I find this chunk missing on the sidewall:



It is about 1.5 cm wide, but only 1mm deep at the deepest part. I wish I had taken a note of where the minor mark I saw before was (and which I can't find now). It is freaking me out... Now I can't remember if I tore out the little flap of rubber from (what I think) is shipping damage.... Or maybe I hit something? This tire was in the rear left spot for 6 runs at road Atlanta, and I did hop some curbs, mostly turn 5 and 10a on the left.

Some places say run the tires until you see cords, but I don't know if that is true for sidewalls too?

I may head down to discount tire this afternoon, maybe they will cut me a deal on a 5th tire if I buy 4 others...

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Steve

[steved0x]

I pulled all 4 tires out into the sun to inspect them again, and I was able to verify that spot is the same spot I saw with the shipping damage. I guess it looked bigger in the bright sun.

For fun, I had a 2nd old nitto in storage, I figured I would cut a chunk.out using aviation snips. Ha. That was practically impossible. I tried slicing a piece with a boxcutter. Ha part 2. Finally after much sawing and also some drilling I was able to expose a cross section of sidewall. 10mm thick with a dual.layer of wire belts/cross section.



I'm still deciding what to do but i thought i would share this experiment...

[BYprodriver]

Simply do nothing, the tire is fine.

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Simply do nothing, the tire is fine.

Thank you for your feedback.

[Nine8Six]

Those look like human teeth marks. Anyone selling meth or bath salts in your area?

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

Those look like human teeth marks. Anyone selling meth or bath salts in your area?

There is an out of work science teacher living next door...

[Nine8Six]

Breaking Bad stuff :/ Dunno man, call Animal Control?

Try 1-800-EAT-TIRE also

ps: I'd would be pissed as crap to have a tire looking like this... I'd go NEW. I'm serious loll

[PaulE]

I am by no means an expert on this. My friend had his 2000 Boxster S serviced at a Porsche dealer and then noticed one of his rear wheels was curbed and he had a similar chunk missing from the sidewall of the tire. No way to prove when it happened, but relative to your question the local tire dealer said it was fine. If there are no cords showing and no bubble in the sidewall I think you are fine.

[Deserion]

Someone else has a Hazard Fraught calipers too.

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Deserion

Someone else has a Hazard Fraught calipers too.

I bought it with a useless coupon

[Racer Boy]

If it were me, I'd go ahead and continue to use the tire.