Hairline Cracks Along Tire Bead

[Chilow]

While rotating my tires, I discovered that all four tires have hairline cracks on around the head area. I attached a photo. Is this normal? Tires have roughly 20k miles. These are Falken Wildpeak AT3W in LT285/70/17 40 PSI cold.

 

[LandCruiser]

Look like some old ass dry rotted tires. How many years have you had them?

 

[Chilow]

Look like some old ass dry rotted tires. How many years have you had them?

Purchased in October 2018 so just shy of 2 years.

 

[Jpilot]

Check the manufacturer date. Not unheard of for a tire shop to sell old tires..

 

[Chilow]

Just checked and all 4 say 2518

 

[Mutant138]

Just checked and all 4 say 2518

If you got them at discount or w.e. have them swap em out.

 

[Chilow]

If you got them at discount or w.e. have them swap em out.

I did a purchase from them actually. They’ll swap it even if the date code is the same year as when I purchased them?

 

[jp.vegas]

Yeah those look like the start of dry rot for sure.

 

[GupsT4R]

Looks like my old LTX MS2..which were notorious for sidewall cracking due to premature dry rot

 

[ElectroBoy]

Maybe it’s latent damage from when they mounted the tires without enough lube, and the heat and aging is making it more apparent.
That little chip is suspicious.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

I’m curious if these were made in the U.S. or China. Also, what load rating? SL or E load?
I’m guessing E load since you are at 40psi cold.

 

[jp.vegas]

Maybe it’s latent damage from when they mounted the tires without enough lube, and the heat and aging is making it more apparent.
That little chip is suspicious.

The "P" right above that is mangled too. I'm betting he hit something.

 

[02SE]

I’m curious if these were made in the U.S. or China. Also, what load rating? SL or E load?
I’m guessing E load since you are at 40psi cold.

The OP said LT in the original post. The '118' load rating means it's a 10 ply rated, load range E.

That level of cracking is a bit concerning at only 2 years old. Unless he had over say 45k miles on them. At only 20k I think it's too soon and not acceptable for that level of deterioration.

 

[zonzin]

Back in the day my dad would wipe brake fluid on the cracked sidewalls, looked good as new.


.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

The OP said LT in the original post. The '118' load rating means it's a 10 ply rated, load range E.

That level of cracking is a bit concerning at only 2 years old. Unless he had over say 45k miles on them. At only 20k I think it's too soon and not acceptable for that level of deterioration.

You’re right. I missed the LT. Another reason I’m asking is that I heard most of the E loads are made in the US and that the SL’s like mine are made in China.

 

[Chilow]

You’re right. I missed the LT. Another reason I’m asking is that I heard most of the E loads are made in the US and that the SL’s like mine are made in China.

Mine says made in Thailand.

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - I wouldn't think twice about it. Rubber ages. Some small cracks on the surface don't really indicate a problem. It's most likely cosmetic. Look at the inside sidewall of your tires. If you don't see any issues there - it's probably the result of whatever chemicals you're using to clean them.

 

[Rack]

When one looks like this its time to replace all the tires.
6 years and 17000 miles

 

[WayMaker]

[MENTION=65341]Chilow[/MENTION]

Any update on this? Curious if they were ever covered under warranty. I have the exact same cracking around the bead issue on both sidewalls of my At3/Ws. Mine are OEM size 265/70/17 on ICON Rebounds. Tires manufactured and purchased in 2019 with 23k on them. 3 from the same lot are all cracking and the 4th from a different lot is not.

 

[WayMaker]

Photos.