Tires, Evaluating: Cracking

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Cracking is the term for shallow cracks in the sidewall of the tire.

They run starting from the bulge in the direction of the tire shoulder. See Illustration. Refer to TAPER for the mentioned components.

The cause is the increase in material at the joints of the tire components.

Cracking has no effect on

Safety,
Service life,
Vehicle handling
Other characteristics of the tire.

Cracks can be of varying visibility. Removing the tire from the rim or an examination is not necessary.

How did the cracks form?

Modern steel belted tires are constructed with single-ply sidewalls to save weight.

The sidewall components consist of long strips before they are joined together to form a tire. They must overlap at the joints. Small irregularities/ripples form in the area of the overlapping components. The overlaps are easier to see from the outside due to the single-ply construction.