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Topic: Michelin xza3+ tires (Read 1938 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Michelin xza3+ tires

Reply #50 –
I am a firm believer in the KISS principal.  After working for trucking companies years ago and listening to tire dealers ( with Foretravels ) I tend to believe them.  I run 110 in all tires and until last Friday never had a problem.
As we left town for a weekend rally I decided to pull into the tire shop to check pressures ( I had checked on my own a week ago ).  The RF tire was down to 70 PSI.  The tech found a leaking valve stem.  When it was removed it was obvious that corrosion had attacked the stem INSIDE the tire and the O Ring was hard as a rock.  New Stem, remount and we were on our way.  These stems are about five years old and were installed when the tires were new, I'll watch the rest of them closely now.
Gary B

Re: Michelin xza3+ tires

Reply #51 –
Just thinking but is it possible that the corrosion of the valve stem was caused by a lot of water vapor in the compressed air used to fill and maintain your tires,and can that lead to some corrosion of the steel belts. Thats another reason I like to use the air brake system air on the road.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Michelin xza3+ tires

Reply #52 –
Joseph, The tech checked inside the tire and it was dry as a bone, I use on board air and the tire shop uses an air dryer so I doubt that it was moisture from those sources.  I really don't know if a tire will sweat from atmosphere temp changes or not.
Gary B

Re: Michelin xza3+ tires

Reply #53 –
Good to hear . I  had read that some of the tire MFG's now think that water in the compressed air and not from outside the tires is the cause of steel belt problems. The water vapor inside the tire is forced out through the rubber of the tire leading to rust in the steel belts. That sound more plausible to me than when they said it was water from outside the tire working it's way in.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Michelin xza3+ tires

Reply #54 –
                             Had Wayne here at FOT align the front end this morning. FWIW we had a short discussion on the tire pressure's and what's best for handling etc and he was quite insistant that the Michelin weight to pressure chart is the rule to use. He thought that my 10lb's over the chart that I use was too high.

      Anyway, I have to say that I was wondering when I got here if I was wasting time and money doing an alignment because it was handling okay even in the heavy crosswinds coming up from the RGV on Saturday.

                      It made a huge difference. Drove it about 15 miles and I couldn't believe how well it handled. No more twitching and constant correction. Steering wheel is back on center too. Was to the right about 2".

                Off topic but brakes looked nearly new except drivers rear pads are down to 25% or so. Wayne thinks something may have hung up in the adjusters at some point which wore them out. Replacing those tommorow.

                    Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270