Can I replace just one tire?

[harriw]

Hey folks,

When I got my truck last year ('94 4x4 w/ 4.0, 5spd, supercab) it had brand new Cooper Discoverer ATR's on it (265/75/15's). Just had it in for an inspection today, and turns out the slow leak in one of them is due to a nail in the sidewall.

I've only put about 8k miles on the truck since I got it, and the tires looked brand new when I got it (no way of knowing of course exactly when they were put on). The shop confirmed this today (said they probably were brand new when I bought it), and said there's 10/32" tread left on all 4, and that brand new tires have around 11 to 12/32's.

So can I get away with replacing just the one tire with the puncture and not be concerned about my differentials (and especially transfer case when in 4x4) due to the slight difference in circumference? The shop I was at said I'd be fine doing it with tires this new (said I could have a difference of up to 5/32's in tread depth between the old and new and still be OK), but I wanted to bounce it off you guys before I do anything.

I did quickly look into having a new tire shaved to match the other three, but apparently that isn't done around here anymore.

Thanks!

 

[4x4junkie]

You can replace one tire no problem. Put it in the spot that tends to wear the fastest (usually the right-rear).

 

[harriw]

Great, thanks. Right-rear is where the bad one is now, so that works just fine.

 

[harriw]

Well, I did some online shopping and found the Monro guy was a bit off. These Cooper Discoverer ATR's have a new tread-depth of around 14 to 14.5/32's. I'm at 10 on the other three, which makes for a larger difference that I originally thought.

I'm starting to think I'll need to get a new one shaved after all. Anyone any suggestions on who might be setup to shave a tire for me? Nobody I've talked to so far does this around here.

Had another thought as well. I didn't think to mention it before, but I have an electric T-case with warn manual hubs up front. When the hubs are unlocked (like they will be all summer long...), the front tires are free-wheeling with respect to each other and to the rear tires, right? Could I just put the new tire on the front right side and let it wear there for the summer, hoping it will wear down faster and more-or-less match the other three by fall/winter?

Thanks again.

-Bill H

 

[turtle3.0]

I think your splitting hairs bud. Just replace the tire and be done with it. The different in diameter or circumfrence is so small that it will not effect anything negatively.

And maybe a dumb question, but have you taken the leaking tire to a shop to see if it can be patched? I know have had some pretty narly holes in tires patched for a fraction of the cost of a new or used tire that I thought there would be no way they could repair it.

 

[backroad101]

I think your splitting hairs bud. Just replace the tire and be done with it. The different in diameter or circumfrence is so small that it will not effect anything negatively.

And maybe a dumb question, but have you taken the leaking tire to a shop to see if it can be patched? I know have had some pretty narly holes in tires patched for a fraction of the cost of a new or used tire that I thought there would be no way they could repair it.

Most places (from what I have experienced) won't patch a tire with a nail in the sidewall, or anywhere near it.

 

[TimV]

Look for a used tire place near you. Might be able to find a matching tire with close to the same tread depth as the ones you currently have.

 

[strvger]

why not just put a tube in it? big patch inside on the hole in the tire, then put in the tube. have run radial tubes for years, no problem. actually they help keep the bead on the rims when i'm off-roading on trails, imho.

 

[dennis461]

You can replace one tire no problem. Put it in the spot that tends to wear the fastest (usually the right-rear).

I agree with buying one tire.

We could debate the location though.

Let's assume there is no locker involved.

Why not keep the two rear tires as close to same diameter to keep spider gears from rotating all the time?

ABS
Would putting the new one on the front activate the ABS?

 

[Tony Raine]

you wont hurt anything. you can mount 2 identical tires on identical rims, and the height will not be exactly the same. besides, how often do you drive in a perfect, and i mean PERFECTLY straight line? as soon as that steering wheel turns the slightest bit, all 4 tires are now traveling at different speeds.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Replace the tire and don't worry about it.

 

[Howard98]

I patch/mount and balance tires at work, and putting a patch on a sidewall is a waste of time. It's too weak to hold. But puttin one new tire on a vehicle is no big deal at all

 

[harriw]

Wow, overwhelming advice to replace just the one and not worry about it (got the same advice at work too).

Just for the sake of the debate:

And maybe a dumb question, but have you taken the leaking tire to a shop to see if it can be patched? I know have had some pretty narly holes in tires patched for a fraction of the cost of a new or used tire that I thought there would be no way they could repair it.

It's in the sidewall, so nobody will even try to plug/patch it. Lousy luck - 1/2" further in and it would be a simple plug/patch job.

why not just put a tube in it? big patch inside on the hole in the tire, then put in the tube. have run radial tubes for years, no problem. actually they help keep the bead on the rims when i'm off-roading on trails, imho.

I may be remembering wrong, but I didn't think NYS would allow tubes in passenger tires with side-wall issues (this is just a daily driver, so no off-road concerns). I have a trailer with a crack in the side-wall of one of the tires (tire went flat on me one winter), and the shops I called wouldn't pass my inspection if I just put a tube in it. Could be a different story for this situation though.

I agree with buying one tire.

We could debate the location though.

Let's assume there is no locker involved.

Why not keep the two rear tires as close to same diameter to keep spider gears from rotating all the time?

ABS
Would putting the new one on the front activate the ABS?

Yup, no locker up front, but it is a limited slip rear (the Ford 8.8 version with the S-clip in it). ABS is not a concern up front, as '04's only have ABS in the rear.

I'm also leaning towards putting the new one up front and allowing it to free-wheel with open hubs all summer/fall. Then check it again and rotate normally when winter hits again? I like the idea of rear-pass. side where the wear is worst though... Why is that by the way? Obviously rear is the drive axle, but is the pass. side worse because the engine and driveline tend to try to torque the pass. side down into the ground? I was thinking driver's side might be worse due to the weight of the driver and gas tank on that side...

you wont hurt anything. you can mount 2 identical tires on identical rims, and the height will not be exactly the same. besides, how often do you drive in a perfect, and i mean PERFECTLY straight line? as soon as that steering wheel turns the slightest bit, all 4 tires are now traveling at different speeds.

Very good point regarding never going perfectly straight. I'm sold.

Thanks again for all the help guys - you folks are a great resource for all us noobs

-Bill H

 

[JohnnyO]

Replace the tire and don't worry about it.

Yup. Not enough difference in the miles to be a problem. Problems come if you use a different kind of tire or if you have say, 20,000 miles on the other three and then put on one new one. The the vehicle may pull to one side.

 

[4x4junkie]

I like the idea of rear-pass. side where the wear is worst though... Why is that by the way? Obviously rear is the drive axle, but is the pass. side worse because the engine and driveline tend to try to torque the pass. side down into the ground? I was thinking driver's side might be worse due to the weight of the driver and gas tank on that side...

It's because that tire has slightly less weight on it during acceleration, which in turn allows the tread blocks to flex against the pavement a bit more (the lessened weight is due to torque from the rotating driveshaft wanting to lift that side of the axle housing).

Since you said you have a limited slip, the effect on wear is lessened. I would probably say go ahead and put the new tire on the right-front instead. The ever-so-slight difference in diameter could potentially affect the life of your limited slip clutches over time. This would not be an issue if you had an open diff though.