While on an excursion to the park on Sunday, I noticed a big, fat, golf-ball sized lump on the side of one of my front tires - similar to the type of lump you'd see on someone's head after a bar fight.

Just came back from Les Schwab where the guy blamed it on pot holes, and quoted me nearly a grand for a set of Toyo Proxes 4s (my rear tires need replacing from normal wear). Investigative TV programs have always made me paranoid of everyone in the automotive industry, so I Googled for lumpy tires. A lot of people are saying it is due to a manufacturer's defect and to take it back for a warranty swap.

What's the verdict, local experts? Fight Les Schwab to have it replaced under warranty, or file a claim with the city of Seattle due to the dozen pot holes I've hit at high speeds this month?

P.S. Anyone wanna beat Les Schwab's price for a set of new tires?

 

how long u had that tire? If it is new tire, it is the manufacture 's fault. I got a lumpy tire from Sam's wholesale club before.

Last year, i hit a pot hole, it bend my rims and 1 Toyo Prox 4 was lumpy too.
The city paid me back for 2 wheels and 2 tires.

 

Got them summer of 2009

 

i would said it is most likely cause by pothole. Have u remember hit anything recently?
i google "report nj pothole" and found a number to call for my claim. I don't even need to send any pictures. I did email them quote from dealership for 2 tires and 2 wheels.

 

If they are proxes Les Schwab is the exclusive Toyo dealer in OR, ID, and WA. I would check with them first, then city of Seattle. As far as beating $1k for 4 tires...if you are stock size...

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=205

 

The tires are from 2009 and are only developing a lump now? That's not manufacturer's defect most likely and I doubt the manufacturer would provide any kind of compensation for a 1+ year old tire.

City won't reimburse you unless there is already an outstanding complaint about the specific pothole that you can show was the one that caused the damage. Even then, the city needs a "reasonable" amount of time to repair the pothole. Smaller potholes allow for ~1+ months of time (starting from the time of the official complaint) needed to repair. City will likely not pay out.

It sounds like you're going to need new tires anyway so this is sort of a blessing in disguise or a kick in the pants to actually get moving and get new tires. $1,000 for 4 tires at stock size and "nothing special" rubber? Ridiculous. Follow Kanchi's link and buy a comparable tire for wayyyy under a G.

 

^ agree! I got my tires for under 500.

 

Thanks for the input, everyone. Took the plunge and ordered a full set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS from TireRack.com, which will cost me a little over $600 including installation.

Saw a news report that Seattle is paying out for a lot of pothole claims, and their pothole budget is about 3 million - hopefully I'll be able to see some of that. The two most memorable potholes I recall were on Aurora and an area of SoDo. I hit them in the dark at 40mph, and the impact was pretty strong. Keeping my fingers crossed that my wheels weren't damaged.

 

good choice, i got the DWS too.
good luck with the claim.