Can I safely use this tire again? (bead trauma)
 

I think the tire machine did this during installation or removal. I don't know if it will still hold air. If I use my finger to force apart the torn rubber, making the gap wider, I can see some white cords in there, but at rest the gap stays closed as seen in the picture. Is this tire safe to use again, or is it garbage now?

http://gearfx.com/temp/bead1.jpg

http://gearfx.com/temp/bead2.jpg

http://gearfx.com/temp/bead3.jpg

As long as the steel bead is not broken you can use it, the seat of the bead is where that white tag is so it shouldn't leak.

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Thanks for the reply. Could it be broken internally? I tried to pull the gap apart again but the cords are just barely showing (not enough is visible to see a "break" in the steel). The cut is just not deep enough for me to see or make any conclusions. Is there an easy way to check?

I just took another pic, with the cords showing (at least I don't think that's metal?):

http://gearfx.com/temp/bead3.jpg

If the bead were broken you would be able to see a deformity and possibly steel, from the pic and what you have stated I would put it on my vehicle and ride with confidence.

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OK, I don't see any other visible deformations or metal showing, and I just added another pic of exactly what I can see at the bottom of the crack. Hopefully that will remove any other doubt?

See that shiny section of the tire where the white sticker is? That is where the tire seals to the rim, the exposed section of bead in the cut might become a concern at some point in time, whether that time is before the tread is worn down I can't say, I would get some liquid electrical tape and dab some down in that split to help stop premature corrosion.

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Oh ok, I ignorantly assumed the tire seals to the rim right on the face with the cut in it, not the face with the white bard code sticker. I guess this is less serious than I thought. Thanks for your input!

Anytime. :thumbsup:

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I used to be a tire tech for Sears. Although, based on their standards, they would say you need a new tire. (of course they would... they are close to bankruptcy and need the money - ;-) ) In my trained observation, as long as the the tire seals, I would say you are good to go. You may have minuscule leakage over an extended period of time, just keep an eye on the pressure more than you normally would a perfectly good tire.

Thanks for the replies!