Recalls
NHTSA has announced that Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas is recalling certain Nitto Terra Grappler All Terrain, Toyo Open Country A/T and Toyo Proxes ST II tyres, according to US trade news source Tire Review. All of the recalled tyres are in size 305/50R20. The exact number of tyres being recalled was not announced.
In the US, Toyota is recalling 110,000 Tundra trucks from the 2000-2003 model years following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into complaints of excessive rust in the frame of this particular model. The specific problem relates to the frame rusting to the extent that the spare tyre could fall onto the road, creating a danger for other vehicles.
Pirelli has initiated a recall of any 285/35 ZR19 PZero Corsa tyres manufactured from May 2007 to July 2009. The tyres in question equip the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and 430 Scuderia Spider 16M. Company representatives explained that owners of these cars have been contacted any that have rear tyres marked with the "XB" identification mark are advised that these may need substituting. Only the rear tyres on these specified models are affected.
In the US, Pirelli is recalling 1,680 Pirelli Pzero Corsa tyres, size 285/35 ZR19 (99Y) K1, manufactured between June 2007 and July 2009.
According to Dow Jones, Ford is recalling 7,563 Chinese made Fiestas due to a tyre defect. The defect, which affects Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co Fiestas produced between October 22 and May 14, was noted on the website of Chinese product safety regulator the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
Hankook Tire has is recalling a number of RA08 van tyre sizes in what the company describes as a “precautionary measure.” The sizes affected are: 185/75R16C, 205/75R16C and 215/75R16C produced at the company’s plant in Hungary between April 2008 and June 2009. According to the company, no other tyres produced in Hungary are subject to this action. Tyres supplied as OE to Ford’s Transit are said to similarly un-affected as they are produced at the company’s Deajon plant in South Korea.
Consumers who use the affected tyres are asked to immediately contact their local tyre dealer. Further consumer information will be offered at Hankook Tire Europe’s website (www.hankooktire-eu.com). Alternatively, consumers and the trade are being directed to contact their national representatives.
Kings Road Tyres, in conjunction with Michelin, has helped a team of British explorers carry out an unlikely journey from London to Timbuktu – not by plane or train, but by flying car. The Parajet Skycar is a road legal version of an off road buggy that can be set up to either drive wheels when on the road or power a rear mounted propeller when it takes to the skies. In flight a large fabric wing gives the Skycar lift whilst the propeller provides the necessary forward thrust.
The Parajet Skycar set off from London at the end of January and travelled down through France and Spain before flying the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco in North Africa. From Morocco the team travelled through the disputed lands of Western Sahara, into Mauritania and across the Sahara to Timbuktu in Mali.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation is recalling 957 Bridgestone Exedra G850 G motorcycle tyres, size 180/70R16 77H, sold as OE on 2008 and 2009 Triumph Rocket III Touring motorcycles. The very high torque Rocket III motorcycle can cause torque-induced degradation in a body ply, which may result in the tyre’s inner liner cracking, leading to a slow leak in the rear tyre only. Affected tyres can begin to vibrate at moderate speeds, producing the risk of a crash.
BATO and Triumph are working to notify owners, and will replace defective tyres – and the matching front tires – free of charge. Owners can contact BATO at 800-465-1904, or NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety hotline at 888-327-4236. (Tire Review/Akron)
Need the services of an independent tyre testing laboratory? There are several big names in the business (TUV SUD and Smithers Rapra immediately spring to mind), but Standards Testing Laboratories (STL) claims it operates as the world’s largest independent testing facility for tyres, wheels and related automotive components. Through its four divisions, STL provides the rubber and automotive industries with dynamic laboratory testing, static and physical testing, fleet testing, test machines, specialized photographic and video services and consulting services.
Founded by R.L. Fuller in 1971, the company began as an independent laboratory with one roadwheel machine, operating from a trailer office adjacent to the Fabricated Machines Company. Today, STL runs more than 100 test positions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through its four testing divisions:
Nankang Tire Corp., Ltd. has announced a recall campaign of the following sizes, produced in the company’s Zhangjiagang factory (China) between week 30 and week 34 2008 with the following DOT codes:
225/70R15C 112/110R N810A – DOT 106R 657 3008 to 3408
185R15C 103/102P N810 – DOT 10R8 571 3008 to 3408
195/70R15C 104/102S N810 – DOT 108V 572 2708 to 3408
In an official statement detailing the recall of the above sizes, Nankang explained that the tyres in question do not have any immediate safety issues and have passed the ISO10454/ECE R.54 high speed test standard and FMVSS 139 endurance test standard.
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) has announced the start of a recall campaign in the US involving approximately 2,100 SUV and 4,200 motorcycle tyres. These tyres, says the company, do not have any structural or performance safety issues, and the recall is related to incorrect or absent sidewall markings.
Throughout three decades of working in the wheel alignment industry, Beissbarth UK’s managing director, Philip Hodges, has been a driving force for improvements in standards, training and technical innovation. Coming from a family background that can trace its roots in the tyre industry as far back as 1915, Philip’s own time in the business has also seen many developments. He shares with us his insights and experience in the industry from his beginnings in the 1970’s through to becoming managing director of Beissbarth UK – an iconic and long-established brand that has become closely associated with groundbreaking technology in its field.
The World Touring Car Championship – whose Rounds 13 and 14 will be held at Brands Hatch this weekend – often has a small number of competitors choosing to feature in just one weekend as guest teams. The somewhat tough challenge is to be competitive with the regular entrants, and on Saturday and Sunday this is just what Volvo Olsbergs Green Racing team will attempt to do as it makes its WTCC debut.
One of the hurdles for one-off teams to overcome is in adapting their car set-up to the Yokohama ADVAN, the WTCC’s official tyre choice. Last year’s guest entry Colin Turkington, along with Team RAC, rose to the challenge and claimed a third and fourth place.
(Greensboro News-Record) An effort to reform North Carolina’s method of buying retreaded tyres is moving haltingly through the General Assembly amid disagreement over techniques used by the current contract holder.
A bill introduced by state Rep. Nelson Cole of Rockingham County would block the state from paying White’s Tire Service of Wilson for controversial “spot repairs” to about $3.4 million a year in recycled tyres.
Cole’s bill also bans removing the original manufacturer’s trademark and other identification from retreaded tyres. It’s a step White calls critical to its process, but critics say it is unnecessary and voids important warranties. (Tire Review/Akron)
A distributor in the US is recalling around six million Chinese sourced tyre valve stems after it became apparent a number of them were improperly manufactured and could increase the risk of accidents. According to Ohio based distributor Tech International, the recall will go ahead even though only an estimated 8,600 of the six million valves are defective.
The valve in question is a replacement snap-in tyre valve, model TR413, manufactured between July and November 2006. The products are said to have been manufactured by manufacturer Shanghai Baolong Industries Co. in China. According to the details of the recall, the valve’s rubber component may crack after some six months of use, causing a gradual loss of tyre pressure. According to Tech International, the defect was identified after “a small number” of faulty valves were reported by customers and one distributor.
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