Potential blowout issue on a TBSS

[TrailblazerSS]

A TBSS owner posted about a blowout he had on the passenger tire.

here's the link: http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/showthread.php?t=356327

I haven't looked yet, anyone else heard anyhting about this?

In case you can't see the link here's the quote:
Our TB SS is at the dealer tonite after a close call with a tire blowout.. From what I can put together as well as the dealer, the passenger side tire blewout due to the inner part of the tire rubbing against the upper control arm.. It happened when I took a turn at an intersection at about 20 mph (tires screeching). I guess the camber got a little out of whack and enough contact was made to tear a hole in the tire.. Luckily the other side of the road was empty and I came about 4 feet short of curb checkin the bumper.. The dealer is looking into what they can do fix the problem as well as replacing the wheel and tire..
We may be seeing 18" wheels up front for 2007 is what they told me..
Just be careful when doing high speed turns..

[Fishhunter911]

I have heard mine rub one time when making a tight turn into a parking spot, I looked and didnt notice any damage. GM better come up with a fix pretty quick or there will most likely be hell to pay!:hissy:

[Fishhunter911]

I wonder If thats what was happening to my truck in front ?

http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=3176

it looks to be the case. This isnt good.

[Essque]

I've been riding on rims and low pro's for the longest so the factory 20's actually have a lot of tire on them compared to what I'm used to so it's been smooth sailing for me even with spirited driving. sorry to hear about the blowout though, those are never pleasant...

[westbayou]

Man, I am going to go check my tires ASAP. I noticed something that sounds similar to this when I was taking a turn at like 15 mph and there was a slight dip in the road. I actually pulled over to check the front of my SS because it sounded like I had hit something or bottomed out the suspension. I have heard similar sounds a couple of other times when turning, so it won't suprise me if that is what it is! YIKES.

[BLK06TBSS]

We might want to contact Chevy as a group from this site.

I looked and the arms are soooooo close to the tire.

If it is a problem they must provide us with either lower profile tires or new wheels so that these blowouts do not become epidemic.

IDEAS?

- Mark

[Bergie]

I heard the "rub" last week while carving a corner that had a dip in the road, sounded like the right front tire rubbed the **** out of something. I did a quick visual just leaning under the vehicle and couldn't see any damage, so I didn't think twice about it. Now I'm reading this thread, so this weekend I will pull the passenger side front wheel and tire for a closer look. :rolleyes:

[ScarabEpic22]

Couldnt GM just take the control arm and modify it slightly to give more clearance? It might be expensive, but heck, it probably would be cheaper than new front tires for every SS sold so far.

[SSportWagon]

Couldnt GM just take the control arm and modify it slightly to give more clearance? It might be expensive, but heck, it probably would be cheaper than new front tires for every SS sold so far.

Id suggest everyone who has one go out and do a visual and report back.

....if its common....someone inside needs to bring attention to this before anyone gets hurt

[TBSS]

I went out and checked. There is less than 1/2 inch between the passenger front control arm and the tire. Could not fit my finger between the two, much less my thumb. :eek:

Looks like my idea of 285/50's (or even 265/50's) is out. :no:

[Envoy Fan]

Did GM do something to the wheel offset? Guys have run 20's on other TBs and not had a problem.:undecided

[turboawd]

all it takes is 5 minutes with a grinder...:D

[EnvoyXL]

You could always throw some 1/2" spacers on to move the tire out and away from stuff.

[TrailblazerSS]

I emailed a friend at GM. He is pretty high up. Think he can get the engineers attention. Unfortunately he's uber busy this week. He was in charge of the Camaro concept reveal at NAIAS.

[Fishhunter911]

I emailed a friend at GM. He is pretty high up. Think he can get the engineers attention. Unfortunately he's uber busy this week. He was in charge of the Camaro concept reveal at NAIAS.


High up isnt the word!!!!! Always good to have an insider!!

[fastline]

checked mine today
seems to be a ton of room between the inner sidewall and the spindle arm and about 1/2 between the tire tread and the ball upper ball joint/upper control arm.

to me this seems like it would never hit
I have been a sevice tech for 22 years and have seen plenty of cars and trucks with much closer shocks, struts and control arms and never see problems.

I guess I will have to do some hard connering on the ramps later and check it out again :D

I will keep everyone posted on my end. hope this is not a problem.

Mark

my Subaru stuff
www.fastlineonline.com
AWD rules

[SUVette06]

That sucks about the blowout......just glad no one was hurt. Itll be interesting to see what happens. I can say this, I drive mine pretty hard and havent had any issues as of yet. Stay tuned:hissy: After going back and reading the post from Ludicrist(sp), he states that both front and rear tires had issues. Hopefully that is an unrelated event. I went out and visually inspected and ya, its tight, but I really cant believe that Chevy would do all that testing and tune work and something like this not be found. They gotta know that we are gonna RUN these things. Does anyone else have wear marks or the dry rot look as described before in previous posts? I dont, and as stated before, I am not kind to the SS in any way. Maybe its an isolated incident?

[poSSum]

So is this 2WD or AWD specific or does it appear to be an issue for both?

[Sid3ways]

I went out and visually inspected and ya, its tight, but I really cant believe that Chevy would do all that testing and tune work and something like this not be found. They gotta know that we are gonna RUN these things.

Same thing happened with the GTOs. Many were having rubbing issues with the suspension and dealerships replacing tires. 245 series tires up front on the stock 17 inch wheels. There was a reason optional 18 inch upgrade comes with 235s instead. I mean wtf GM? We want the meat on the ground, modify the suspension to accomodate the tires you want to put on from the factory so they actually fit with no safety issues! :hissy:

[GTPprix]

Engineering IS aware of the problem now..

[BLK06TBSS]

what are they going to do to fix it now?

- Mark

[SUVette06]

Engineering IS aware of the problem now..

I am not tryin to be a smartass, but how would you know that?
And if they are, what are they gonna do about it?

[TrailblazerSS]

I am not tryin to be a smartass, but how would you know that?
And if they are, what are they gonna do about it?

Chris works for a magazine and knows a lot of the right people. I'm sure he has talked to the right person. I know I have emailed one of the right people about it. GM is aware.

1st thing to do is to study the problem. THEN determine a solution.

[SUVette06]

I guess if this turns out to be a legit problem, its good to have people around who know who to talk to. Keep us posted!:thumbsup:

[Fishhunter911]

:iagree: I guess if this turns out to be a legit problem, its good to have people around who know who to talk to. Keep us posted!:thumbsup:


We are all pretty lucky to have such knowledgeable people we can go to!! Thanks everyone who helps out on here!

[BLK06TBSS]

Ill be honest.... I havent heard my rub or anything and I have no marks on my tires as far as I can see.

But I dont want my first rub to be my last so I would like to see if this becomes a prob.

Plus I was thinking about putting bigger wheels on and now I am concerned about this. (or just wider tires)

I think Chris is our resident expert.... so here it goes.

Can I put on Bigger Rims or wider tires?

I have 2wd can I put on just wider Rears?

- Mark

[ttdolson]

I was able to take a look under my truck yesterday and all is good. I do drive very hard and was expecting to see the worst but my tires are perfect on the inside. (On both sides of the truck).

Hopefully, this tire thing doesn't become a major issue.

Also, I have not had one single issue with either the stabilitrac or the transmission.
(Although I've had the Vector tune in my truck since it was new)

[SUVette06]

[quote=ttdolson]I was able to take a look under my truck yesterday and all is good. I do drive very hard and was expecting to see the worst but my tires are perfect on the inside. (On both sides of the truck).

Hopefully, this tire thing doesn't become a major issue.

Also, I have not had one single issue with either the stabilitrac or the transmission.


Same for me....thats why I was so suprised by this. I am still hoping for my isolated incident theory! I am also glad to see that people in this community have the ear of people that can help us if in fact something needs to be done!

[PbFut]

Sorry I can’t hold my tongue any longer. Do you really think GM could have missed a tire rub in their testing of the SS? I guess anything is possible but the GM test driver will put a subject into attitudes you or I would not be capable of in 10 years of trying. I have had many cars where my tire to other object clearance was measured in millimeters. I have two right now. One is a club road racing BMW and the front R compound tire is 4 millimeters away from the strut tower. I experience no rubbing unless I have a brain fade and drop a wheel off the edge of the track and bend it.

Can we put larger tires on the SS? Well if you are worried about clearance already… Has anyone used spacers? Drop a plumb bob down the fender. How much room is there? Unless you like the tire wider than the car look…Seems to me the back may have a bit more in options, but I have not crawled under the truck with that idea in mind so it is still a question outstanding. Damage to tires in transit sounds way more plausible than a engineering error. IMO

Respectfully submitted.
Lead Foot

[JacozSS]

Checked mine two nights ago and I have a rub ring on the passenger side. Is it the control arm or the flange for the brake line that is rubbing? As few of these that are out there, it seems to be a pretty common problem.

[fastline]

Can one of you guys that have had problems post a pic or something so we can get a clarified view of what is hitting the tire?

I also have had a few race cars that have tires way closer than my SS and never had rubbing issues.

The parts that are close to the tires don't even move which means the only way it can hit anything is tire flex and those tires don't have much flex at all I was really suprised the first time I hit the ramps with the SS and it felt pretty dam good for a much heavier vehicle than what i'm used to.

I know this suspension was well tested and I don't know how they would miss something like that.

I just wish I could see exactly whats going on because I can't see a problem on mine.

Mark
www.fastlineonline.com

[SUVette06]

Can one of you guys that have had problems post a pic or something so we can get a clarified view of what is hitting the tire?

I also have had a few race cars that have tires way closer than my SS and never had rubbing issues.

The parts that are close to the tires don't even move which means the only way it can hit anything is tire flex and those tires don't have much flex at all I was really suprised the first time I hit the ramps with the SS and it felt pretty dam good for a much heavier vehicle than what i'm used to.

I know this suspension was well tested and I don't know how they would miss something like that.

I just wish I could see exactly whats going on because I can't see a problem on mine.

Mark
www.fastlineonline.com (http://www.fastlineonline.com)


:iagree: I kinda made the same point earlier, maybe we can get some pics to clarify this. Has anyone else checked for signs of wear, and I think someone earlier also asked if the blowout was on a RWD or AWD, and would it make a difference as far a suspension setup goes?

[TB Lover]

The GTO guys have had a rubbing problem as well. You have to remember with tolerances, things can stack up either way, in this case in/out. The GTO rubbing is the tire to shock. The Holden doesn't have as wide of tires and it was never discovered until it was shipped here. I haven't been there in a while so I don't know the solution, but someone may want to see what happened with them.

[scjzman]

I checked mine yesterday morning and was shocked and pissed when I discovered I couldn't get my fingers between the tire and the control arm. There is only about 3/8" to 1/2" clearance. My guess is the engineers were relying on the stiffness of the suspension to prevent it from rubbing, but never considered anyone driving the TB SS like a performance vehicle. A fix needs to happen quickly because this design is potentially very dangerous.

[fastline]

I checked mine yesterday morning and was shocked and pissed when I discovered I couldn't get my fingers between the tire and the control arm. There is only about 3/8" to 1/2" clearance. My guess is the engineers were relying on the stiffness of the suspension to prevent it from rubbing, but never considered anyone driving the TB SS like a performance vehicle. A fix needs to happen quickly because this design is potentially very dangerous.

the control arm will never move closer to the tire the only way the tire can hit is the tire flexing so the stiffness of the supension has nothing to do with it.

Mark

[SUVette06]

I checked mine yesterday morning and was shocked and pissed when I discovered I couldn't get my fingers between the tire and the control arm. There is only about 3/8" to 1/2" clearance. My guess is the engineers were relying on the stiffness of the suspension to prevent it from rubbing, but never considered anyone driving the TB SS like a performance vehicle. A fix needs to happen quickly because this design is potentially very dangerous.


You better believe that they thought we would drive them like a performance vehicle. Some one stated earlier that they put these things through paces you or I never would, and wasnt it race track tested at nuremberg(spelling).As stated in the previous post, the only way that it could be an issue is from tire flex. I am not saying that it couldnt happen, but try to stay away from the 3g turns while the possibility is investigated(lol). The owner who had the original blow out said he took the turn with tires screeching. I dont know about anyone else, but I still realize that I bought an SUV, not a C6. Every vehicle has its limits.

Respectfully,
JM

[boSSsho]

You better believe that they thought we would drive them like a performance vehicle. Some one stated earlier that they put these things through paces you or I never would, and wasnt it race track tested at nuremberg(spelling).As stated in the previous post, the only way that it could be an issue is from tire flex. I am not saying that it couldnt happen, but try to stay away from the 3g turns while the possibility is investigated(lol). The owner who had the original blow out said he took the turn with tires screeching. I dont know about anyone else, but I still realize that I bought an SUV, not a C6. Every vehicle has its limits.

Respectfully,
JM

Yep...it was tested on Germany’s legendary Nurburgring road course which is not like Indy or Daytona, IE, it beats the snot of the vehicle so you can test off camber turns, hard braking, etc...so if tires weren't blowing out left and right there I can't see how they would hear...but obviously something is wrong b/c these poor people aren't making it up.:no:

I can't see how transit would do that to a tire...but I guess wee need to ask these people for A. Pics, and B. were there tires low in air pressure b/c that would aid in excessive tire flex causing the tires to bow out and catch the non movable suspension pieces...:undecided

Probably why we have on board air compressors and laser guided tire pressure monitors...Lord knows it's not to air our tires down when off roading!:raspberry

[SUVette06]

So.....is there anything new to report yet?

[fastline]

I was thinking the same thing because I just got done beating the crap out of mine on the ramps and let me tell you mine was sideways before the tire rubs :thumbsup: I still see no marks at all on the tires anywhere.

This must have just been a few in transit that scuffed the tires on the trucks while loading and unloading them.

Mark

[boSSsho]

Any one's right front rub at full lock right ?

None should rub at full turn left or right b/c the arms don't move...it would be and should only be from the tires flexing inward under massive load...

Ours have about a 1/2" of clearance...and so far seem ok...but I haven't checked in a few days.

[SUVette06]

Like someone stated earlier, there is no doubt that these people are having issues, but I really believe they are isolated. Ive pretty much run mine through the gauntet a couple times, and I havent heard a thing. If the tire is rubbin, you are gonna know! I havent done a visual since this all came to light. I go back to my earlier statement, Chevy tested the hell out of these and something like that wouldnt slip by.:m2: I gotta say the only issue Ive had with the truck is two or three times now when I get in and start it, none of my power switches on either door work. After I get out and start it again , no problem. But that is something for another post. Damn electrical gremlins!(lol)

[SUVette06]

Any one's right front rub at full lock right ?

Nope, havent had that happen yet. Is yours an AWD or 2wd. And, for that matter, does it make a difference in suspension setup?

[TBSS]

I've had a look under the vehicle and don't see how what people think could be causing the problem could actually be causing the problem. If you see how the wheel is attached to the assembly, you'll notice that everything is fixed - if the wheel moves, the entire assembly moves with it.

I invite other members here to turn the wheels of their vehicles to one side or the other and have a look for themselves. To me, it seems physically impossible for this clearance 'issue' the be an issue.

[SSLS2TB]

I've had mine for 2 days now and have found NO rub marks on any of the inside tires.:m2:

[SUVette06]

You probably will never find any...only a few have and I think they are isolated!

[Fishhunter911]

Well after driving a few days in center city philly, pot-hole capital of the worlds i think LOL, making sharp turns onto the streets in 6 inch deep holes havent caused any rubbing, so I think I am ok. Late stated, I think this might turn out to be a isolated problem.:m2:

[blautens]

I can't see where mine is rubbing yet, and I've pitched it sideways a few times so hard I almost wet the pants of the people around me (I'm immune...:) ).

[Envoy Fan]

Notice no follow up post by the origional poster with the problem. Perhaps the tire was damaged, maybe in transit somehow or was defective.

[Fishhunter911]

Notice no follow up post by the origional poster with the problem. Perhaps the tire was damaged, maybe in transit somehow or was defective.

I was wondering about that myself.:undecided

[Matt_E]

I know this is hardly scientific, but after looking for some reviews on the Goodyear RS-As on Tirerack.com (http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Goodyear&tiremodel=Eagle+RS%2DA) or 1010tires.com (http://www.1010tires.com/tirereviews/Goodyear_Eagle_RS-A_tire_reviews.html), it seems there are more than a few complaints about blowouts and cracked sidewalls on these tires. Maybe it has nothing to do with the TBSS, could it be the crappy OEM Goodyears?

[boSSsho]

I know this is hardly scientific, but after looking for some reviews on the Goodyear RS-As on Tirerack.com (http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Goodyear&tiremodel=Eagle+RS%2DA) or 1010tires.com (http://www.1010tires.com/tirereviews/Goodyear_Eagle_RS-A_tire_reviews.html), it seems there are more than a few complaints about blowouts and cracked sidewalls on these tires. Maybe it has nothing to do with the TBSS, could it be the crappy OEM Goodyears?

Couple things...

Youre Tirerack Hyperlink points us to the 1010 home page for those tires FYI...

I read through the reviews and the scores people rated for each category, and except for my old Eagle GS-Ds (My 87 Mustang GT) and the new Eagle F1s which are pretty costly, I have never seen a good anything from Goodyear. They make very soft tires, which is the only reason they usually handle well in the dry stuff, but everyone counters that quality with hanis wear characteristics...

Something is definitely wrong with the vehicles/tires that blew out or had massive wear/chunking on the inside only...but hopefully it was isolated as some people have said and hopefully all of those people are taken care of accordingly.

lastly, I checked ours out yesterday on both sides and both sides were still mint. I am not too impressed with the tires and will probably go to a Z or W rated all season high performer next time around.

[Matt_E]

I know this is hardly scientific, but after looking for some reviews on the Goodyear RS-As on Tirerack.com (http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?additionalComments=y&commentStatus=P&tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+RS-A) or 1010tires.com (http://www.1010tires.com/tirereviews/Goodyear_Eagle_RS-A_tire_reviews.html), it seems there are more than a few complaints about blowouts and cracked sidewalls on these tires. Maybe it has nothing to do with the TBSS, could it be the crappy OEM Goodyears?

Fixed link in quote, couldn't edit my post?

[fredg369]

Well after driving a few days in center city philly, pot-hole capital of the worlds i think LOL, making sharp turns onto the streets in 6 inch deep holes havent caused any rubbing, so I think I am ok. Late stated, I think this might turn out to be a isolated problem.:m2:


Hey fish..I work in center city Phila.
I been in these same holes most likely....haven't felt any rubbing at all.
I still try to take it easy on the sharp turns till I see what becomes of this issue.:grouphug: <---- GM engineers..hehehe