Flat spots all four tires

I have been having a bit of vibration ever we got this car. It was surprisingly smooth at higher, expressway speeds, but I noticed a distinct "hop" at lower speeds and a real thump-thump at real low speeds. Turns out I had flat spots on all four tires. The tire place replaced them with new ones for an excellent pro-rate (less than half worn) and said it was either from a long skid from braking (never happened), or they never recovered from long storage. I had put a few thousand miles on them since storage last winter. The odd thing is the flat spots had about a 1/16" less tread than the rest of the tire. Wierd. Things are smooth now.

Finally, my question. I think I'll take them off next winter and store them in the basement. I don't want to store the car off the suspension, so that means probably supporting with the the shock mounts sitting on wood blocks. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I can't imagine the tires taking that kind of "set", but I'm not taking any chances.

Weird I right!!!I can understand the "hop" after sittin awhile but not the loss of tread. I leave my tires on but ol Tux is up in the air on jackstands so I can mess around at will during the winter.
It helps to have it up and ready to go. It beats out the motivation surpressant in the right side of ur brain tellin ya to go back inside maybe tomorrow.

The tread wear is related to the ply shape.  It changes the stress on the tire which just makes the problem worse.

If the tires have fully cured, this usually does not happen.  But if the tires are fairly "Fresh" off the line and not fully cured, sitting for a long period can create the problem.

[QUOTE=kstyer]

The tread wear is related to the ply shape.  It changes the stress on the tire which just makes the problem worse.

If the tires have fully cured, this usually does not happen.  But if the tires are fairly "Fresh" off the line and not fully cured, sitting for a long period can create the problem.

[/QUOTE]

Ken,

They cured, alright  From the previous owner's receipts, it looks like he got the tires in the fall, and then let her sit all winter. The new ones also are BFG Radial T/A's fresh from the distributor, so I will be sure to not let them sit all winter. I have had a lot of tires over the years and never had this happen - then again, I never let my cars or trucks sit around much. Man, I hate talking about storage already. Summer is sooo short in Michigan.

Hey Larry. You letting the suspension hang all winter on those jackstands, or are the stands under the suspension somehow?

Craigi38958.7536226852

The suspension hangs on all four of mine all winter, usually about 5 months. Been doing it that way for 22 years with the black 79. No problems at all.  Mike

The first year I had the vette she sat all winter in the garage on the cold concrete and developed some slight flat spots that worked themselves out within a few miles.  Since then I have parked the vette on an old area rug during the winter and have never had a problem.

I know some say the carpet might capture moisture, but I haven't seen any ill effects from it.  Course it helps to flip the rug over so that the vehicle sits on the backing instead of the carpet fibers themselves.  All you are really looking for is a barrier between the rubber and the cold concrete.

Another advantage...the tires do not lose air through the winter!

Not the most scientific solution, but it works for me!

Hey Mark. You're just up the road from me here in Mason, so you know the temps we get here in the winter. I've heard of quite a few guys that park them on rugs to insulate the tires somewhat. I keep my on a lift so the temp is pretty ambient, but they still sit on steel. I may place some rug runners on the ramps for full time use, since it is always parked on it - summer and winter. I think I'll still keep the tires off the ground, one way or another, in the winter. Here's hoping we still have a few months of salt-free driving! Come on down to Horsepower at the Zoo in Lansing Sep. 17 - since you're close. www.cccorvette.org has the info.

Craig

Craigi:

Thanks for the invite!  There are a few members here on the forum from Michigan, but I haven't met any personally.  I'll take a look at the calendar and speak to the wife to see if we could possibly make it to the zoo.  Got a daughter entering her first year of college this fall so money's a little tighter than usual to make any trips other than those that are necessary.

Once again, I appreciate the invitation.  Save the Wave!

Has anyone tried those tire cradles?
Always wondered if they helped.
The first year I used 4 carpet squares. Didn't notice any flat spots in the Spring.
Last year she sat on plastic sheeting on my concrete garage floor. Still didn't notice any flat spots.
I think radials are better than the old bias-belted tires.
This winter she's gonna be on 4 jacks so I can work on the wheels.