Rocks caught between wheel and tire voids warranty!!!

[desibull]

Hi Y'all!
So, I am losing pressure in one of my tires and so took it to the dealer; my rig has about 5500 miles on it. When they inspected the tire they did not find any damage to it. When they then dipped it in water and noticed air bubbles they removed the tire from the wheel and found a bunch of rocks inside. They told me that those rocks have damaged the bead of the tire and that is why it is leaking. They also informed me that as that has nothing to do with the tire itself it is not something that can be covered under warranty!! I was like....huh????

Spoke to the service manage and he advised me to NOT air down when going off-roading...LOL!!! I asked him if he did any off-roading and he said no.

Not sure if any of you have come across this issue. I am surprised this happened as I air down only to between 22-25 psi which I do not think is low at all.

Anyways, I had no option but to change out the tires and pay $300. I wonder if tires from BFG and other better manufacturers have similar issues. I mean, I got this beast for off-roading and now I am wondering what I would do the next time this happens. Just hopeful it was a freak incident!!!

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[MyATV]

Voids warranty? They should be giving you an award!

 

[kevin.gt]

OP, I think you should change the title. Maybe something like “wheels and tires not warrantied against off-road hazards”

As it’s written, I was expecting a denied warranty claim on an exploded engine due to pebbles in the tire tread

I am surprised this happened as I air down only to between 22-25 psi which I do not think is low at all.

agree. that’s bizarre

 

[2023bronco]

Should have paid extra for the tire coverage plan. I don't see how it's Ford's fault that rocks got into the bead while off-roading. Chalk it up to the cost of having fun.

 

[userdude]

At the Off Road Connect, they specifically told us (the Off Roadeo guides) 25psi and that they would not recommend going lower (not a hard recommend, just that they wouldn't/can't, it's otherwise up to you). I don't know if that's a limit to what Ford considers the bead within bounds, but it seems like the bead burped or failed here and let rocks in.

I assume the two happening simultaneously means you had a rock that pushed against the sidewall at some point. Seems like it's good it got replaced before the tire failed.

I guess you'd have to prove the rocks either were already there or that they got in while within Ford's recommended tolerance for them to cover it on the service warranty. Doesn't surprise me they wouldn't.

 

[uncledoodoo]

Road hazards (or offroad hazards in this case) have never been included in a factory warranty.

 

[Dadsquatch]

OP, which dealer did you go to for this? SanTan? I'm in Chandler too and that's where I go, so just wondering. Thank you.

 

[Tricky Mike]

Unsurprising.

Next time break the bead, clean up the area, and swab some bead sealer in the chewed up area.

 

[Aaonter]

Hi Y'all!
So, I am losing pressure in one of my tires and so took it to the dealer; my rig has about 5500 miles on it. When they inspected the tire they did not find any damage to it. When they then dipped it in water and noticed air bubbles they removed the tire from the wheel and found a bunch of rocks inside. They told me that those rocks have damaged the bead of the tire and that is why it is leaking. They also informed me that as that has nothing to do with the tire itself it is not something that can be covered under warranty!! I was like....huh????
!

I would bet if they just cleaned the debris from the bead and re seated it the tire would hold pressure. Jeep can have the same issues of dealers being sales man and not car people. Check reviews and find a dealer that is Ford blue oval people that understand track and offroad and always go there. Never air down, lol.

 

[desibull]

OP, which dealer did you go to for this? SanTan? I'm in Chandler too and that's where I go, so just wondering. Thank you.

yes. San Tan.

 

[MayhemMike]

I air down to 18 psi for beach sand . I can’t fathom how “rocks” enter beneath the headlock at 25 psi.

 

[JBlanco]

That's what you get for taking your truck to Satan...
Also, your fault from taking the Bronco outside of it's designed use and purpose, the shopping center parking lot!

 

[Bmadda]

I have had this happen to my 90 FSB. I have boggers on steel wheels, and have gotten gritty mud (not rocks) packed in the bead causing slow leaks. I just dismounted, cleaned, and remounted, and they were fine. I was also only aired down to about 16-18 psi, but I hit some pretty nasty mud holes! Not suprised they wouldn't warranty that...and now you know why I love beadlocks!

 

[SuperDave150]

Ask for the old parts back (tire, wheel, whatever), clean them up, lightly sand the nicks from the wheels, spray some clear over those spots, then have an independent tire shop mount it up.

Oh and I had similar happen with my my Tacoma. That’s the risk when you air down. For me it was sand in the bead. You score extra points for ROCKS, OMG!

 

[hemiblas]

I can see how that would not be covered. Always air up when off-roading. That way rocks can't get inside. Wait a second.....
The warranty only covered defects...Once we start wheeling these rigs, I can see how some things wouldnt be covered. Chaulk it up to having fun!! I'd look at different tires though. KO2s won't do that. What tires do you have? I can totally see the goodyear 315s doing this. They are really soft.

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