How can I correct flat-spotted tires?

[Alllen]

Hi folks. I wonder if you could give me some advice? I have 4 almost-new Comp T/A tires that each have a visible "flat spot" on the tread. Is there a way to correct this problem other than buying 4 new tires?

Background: About 5 years ago I bought 4 Comp T/As (255-50-ZR16’s) for my 1985 Corvette. Loved them! Put only a few miles on them (<3000) and then parked the car for 4 years due to personal factors. Did not start it, move it or anything else. In hindsight, not a very bright move. I just got the car running again, but there is a visible flat spot on the tread of each tire. So I get substantial vibration between 55 and 65 MPH, depending on the road suface. I have put about 300 miles on the tires since "restoring" the car. I also just had the tires rebalanced, as an interim step until the flat spots work themselves out. (They were all out of balance significantly, though I can’t figure out why. There is no obvious shift or distortion of the sidewalls – it appears to be all in the tread.) The rebalance helped a little. Can anything be done to eliminate or reduce these flat spots? I hate like heck to replace these tires.
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

 

[Ken]

Sometimes the flat spot will work itself out, but after 300 miles I would have thought it'd be gone by then. It still may work itself out, but you may have just learned an expensive lesson about storing a car for long periods of time without driving it.

 

[drags1998]

Really sounds like its time to replace those tires!!! Hate to say it, but after 300 miles I doubt they will get any better. I also learned the hard way, so dont feel like your the only one!!!!!!!!!!!! :Roll :Roll :Roll :bang

 

[1Bad86]

I asked my brother-in-law about this.(He owns a Goodyear Tire Store) Unfortunately the only true cure is replacement. Yet another expensive Corvette lesson. Or learn to love the vibration;]

 

[compyelc4]

Many moons ago they used to "shave" the tread. Honestly, they would mount the offending tire on a lathe-type machine and slice the tread until the flat spots were all even with the rest of the tread. You can imagine what that would do to the tread life but it DID work.

Now to your problem. If all else fails I would inflate to near max. pressure and then go run some major burn-outs. If that seems to work flip 'em back-to-front and burn the fronts a few times. A buddy did that with his '67 goat, althought he could only burn the right rear. Seemed to work. Good luck.

 

[BruceBed]

I had the same problem with mine after a 8 year storage. I complained to my mechanic and he said to get the tires reaaaaaly hot and they probaly would work out. I've run the car really hot and hard for several 300 mile round trip runs and it seems to have worked itself out. It is not perfect but it is darn close. The balancing and rotating will also help. If you haven't worked it out within a couple thousand miles then I would defintely replace- if you can persist . Good luck.

 

[froggy47]

Take them to a tire shop that is familiar with race tires & have them shaved.

 

[Ken]

Or learn to love the vibration

Trouble is with radials, the belts can shift around, causing more damage and posing a safety hazard.

_ken

 

[1Bad86]

Trouble is with radials, the belts can shift around, causing more damage and posing a safety hazard.

_ken

This is very true. I guess I shoulda made it more obvious I was only kidding .

 

[atmmac]

Sounds like DONUT TIME!!!

LIGHTEM UP!!

-Andy