Flat Spots on Radial Tires

[Shawn]

Has anyone had luck with getting flat spots out of radials? I have an old set of 38's and like a dumbass, I never jacked up the vehicle or took the tires off over the years it was sitting.

Came across one method but not sure if this will work.

Step 1
Fill each tire to the maximum level as noted on the sidewall of the tire, using the air compressor. Check to make sure the pressure is correct using the tire gauge.

Step 2
Drive the vehicle for at least 150 miles. If the flat spots were due to the vehicle being parked for a long time, this should solve the problem.

Step 3
Release air from the tires to bring the tire pressure back within the normal range.

 

[Bent77]

How long were they sitting?

Might be able to round em out after a few hot days in the sun

 

[Babaganoosh]

My truck sometimes sits for a month, I swear it developed flat spots. Nothing a quick burnout cant fix

 

[beags86]

My truck sometimes sits for a month, I swear it developed flat spots. Nothing a quick burnout cant fix

My 454 will sit for 3-4 months at a time. No question they flat spot.

Just driving it and they come out.

I wouldn't recommend a burnout with a 4L6.......wait..... nevermind.....

 

[Shawn]

How long were they sitting?

Might be able to round em out after a few hot days in the sun

Over 10 years in a closed garage, no sunlight. I realize the life span of the tire is gone but they are not dry rotted and still appear in good shape. I'd rather try to save them before spending $2000 on new tires.

 

[Greg Ducato]

My truck sometimes sits for a month, I swear it developed flat spots. Nothing a quick burnout cant fix

You are determined to break that trans aren't you

 

[Babaganoosh]

You are determined to break that trans aren't you

I was half kidding, honestly it takes a mile and it's fine.

Trans works perfectly fine.

 

[Shawn]

Tires in question. Still lots of tread left.

 

[beags86]

Tires in question. Still lots of tread left.

View attachment 310117

Run them. Put some miles on. They will straighten out I bet.

 

[Shawn]

I'll try the max pressure for 150 miles trick and see if that helps. Just sucks I let this happen.

 

[muddermilitia]

Just drive it dude. It will fix itself. My brother had a 79 F350 on 44" ground hawgs. They would flat spot over night. Few miles and they were fine. I bet yours will be fine within a week of driving

 

[diesel4me]

Either that or they will end up chucking the tread off--where they sat and "squared off" may have put a permanent set in the cords,and the rubber often degrades at two spots there,and will eventually fail..
Only way to find out is to run them and see what happens..
I'd avoid any 70+ mph cruises till you feel they are round again !..

 

[muddybuddy]

Just dont stick your tongue out while driving. Hate to see you bite it off from driving with the flat spots.

My iroks use to flat spot and generally they would go away after a mile or two. Have you been rotating the tires at all so different spots are on the ground or just single spot all this time? You could roll the truck back or forward half a rotation so the flat spot is on top and let it sit for a day before driving. Not sure if that will actually help or not but conceptually this early in the morning it seems like it would help (may get small flat spot in that spot of tire but will reduce the bigger flat spot?)

 

[Shawn]

No joke! I realize bias tires flat spot over night. Since these are radials I'm hoping this is not permanent. I figured with all the turns, the flat spots would be in different places by now. I have not tried to rotate any tires yet.

I got them at the max pressure of 65psi. Seems to be better. I'll drive around for 150 miles and see what happens.

 

[6.2Blazer]

I would just inflate them to whatever PSI you normally run them at and go for a ride. If they don't smooth out after 10 miles (continuous driving) then I would be a little concerned, and would be really concerned if I drove 100+ miles and still had issues. Speaking of the pressure, I would almost think less pressure (or at least less than max pressure) would be better as it would let the sidewalls flex a little more...but in any case I don't think there is any magic about running max pressure or driving 150 miles to get rid of flat spots.