This could have been nasty

[mikeg]

Had a bit of excitement this afternoon that I could do without. Heading south in Gypsy Belle and sitting on about 95-100 in the 110 zone just north of Raymond Terrace when without any warning the front left steer tyre blew and all hell broke loose.

Now after 53 years with a driving licence and 50 of those with an Multi Combination licence and haven driven more miles behind the wheel of heavy vehicles than I care to remember today was the very first time I have experienced a steer tyre blow out at speed. I don’t recommend this to anyone.

I knew instantly what had happened and knew instinctively not to touch the brakes so I just backed right off the accelerator and concentrated of bringing the steering under control. It was very noisy and the vibration was pretty severe but I did manage to keep us in a straight line and then gently applied some braking to slow down.

It probably took about 200 metres or so to slow to about 40 when the locking ring on the split rim parted company with the wheel and let the tyre come completely off the rim with a big bang and Gypsy dropped down to run on the steel rim only with lots of noise.

By this time, I was pretty sure I had control and was more interested in finding a safe spot to pull off and fix the problem away from other traffic doing 110 plus. As luck would have it there was a layby only 100 metres ahead which I made for and pulled well off the road.

Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief then looked over to Suzy and the first thing she said was “would you like a cup of tea love?” Gotta love that woman!

I don’t know what the cause was as the tyre was less than 12 months old and less than 15,000 but my best guess is that since the locking ring gave way it may not have been seated correctly or there may have been something wrong with the wheel itself that has prevented the locking ring from sitting correctly. Examining the wheel after the event it was very hard to see any likely cause because of the damage to it.

I am looking for a new rim now so has anyone got an 8 stud 20-inch wheel lying around?

[BruceS]

Oh boy! Not an experience I suggest anyone needs!!
Did you have power steering?
I'd think I would never have been able to hang onto my old Bedford bus that had Armstrong steering..........
Admittedly it was many turns lock to lock but still ..........
Tattslotto ticket is on your list!!

[dapope]

Driver side steeer went on the swagman 30 k after we had picked it up in Brisbane when we first bought it....fortunately it wasnt a major drama, and behaved itself with aplomb.. I slowed it using the gears till i could nrake gently. Rear engine helped i think..

[T1 Terry]

I know that feeling Mike, not one you would want to repeat that's for sure. I wasn't quite as lucky as you with a navigator that kept her cool, mine was more of handful than the blown tyre when the Mazda decide to let the left front release all the air from the tyre in one go as we were trying to negotiate a right hand bend in the road just outside Nhill.... at around the 110km/h mark. Never did find the lock ring but found the tube 100mtrs after the tyre let go so I'm guessing it was the lock ring leaving the wheel that caused that rapid loss of air as well. Fortunately the tyre sort of remained on the rim.... well not sure if it would have been worse if it had departed the scene as well because it sort of went sideways on the rim so it was more of a lump then nothing then another lump
I've been considering getting one piece rims to suit the tubeless tyres as the 900 x 20 is getting harder to find at a reasonable price, had any thoughts along those lines Mike?

[Dot]

Just what I needed to read Mike Glad all ok though.

[mikeg]

Terry I am led to believe that new steel one piece ones are available and if so I will be getting at least 2 for the steer after today's little drama. I will be chasing them up in the morning and will post if I have any success.

[mikeg]

Did you have power steering?

Sure do Bruce and I think it did make keeping control a lot easier.

[Mrcoolabah1au]

Know the feeling when we had our mazda did front drivers many years ago coulpe km out of wagga wagga thanks to the kind soul that help me change it
Next day renew all six tyres a great expence

[jon_d]

wow, Mike, glad all is well.

what brand tyres?

If you need rims, try EV TIMMS in Melbourne. Ask for Mark. they have lots.

[BernieQ2]

I had one blow on my motor bike once....now that was a hand full .
Bernie .