Re: Bent wheels, do I need new tyres?

[raf40@oes.amdahl.com (Richard Funnell)]

>In a message dated 96-01-23 16:27:19 EST, you write:
>
>> I am thinking that a higher pressure may protect the rims more.
>
>
>Nope - less pressure allows the tire to absorb the impact and transmit less
>to the rim.  Max press would only help if the tire completely bottomed out.
>
>Dave Head

I'm a bit late into this thread, but if we're talking about impacts capable
of bending a rim, I think it's fair to conclude that the tire had fully
compressed either radially or to the side.  Either way, I would guess that
the body of the tire took a real pounding beyond what it was designed for.

Maximum pressure gives the most margin for a tire to deal with a sudden
impact without collapsing, so I would have to agree that higher pressures
are better in this regard.

Richard Funnell,
San Jose, California
'83 urQ
'87 560 SL