I set out this morning to get the hardware and tubing I needed to install a new double acting fuel pump on my '51 Suburban.. New fuel lines, vacuum lines, the whole shmear.
On my way back home, just as I hit the entry ramp to the interstate, I felt the left rear tire go into what I thought was a dip in the road. As I accelerated up the ramp, I felt quite a bit of vibration. I chalked it up to cold nylon tires, and then I started thinking I was getting a flat. I pulled off at the next exit and drove on home as I was just a few blocks away.
I got out of the truck, and here is a picture of the left rear wheel.
Split in rim The darn rim split!
Here is a closeup, you can see the tube between the split.
Closeup The tube and tire were OK, and I had the tire shop put them on my spare. I looked closely at the rim, and there was a little corrosion inside the rim, but no real pits. The metal was full thickness all along the split. However in the middle of the split for about two inches, the split was dark, and not bright metal. I guess the rim was cracked here for some time.
The profile of the rim center is different from my other rims. I think I got it off of a junk 48 chevy car about 40 years ago.
Picture of rim center profile Here is a picture of the rim from the spare:
Spare rim. I guess I'm glad I had a tube in that tire, because it sure would have gone flat in a hurry otherwise. Can you say blowout?!
Kurt
At least now I know why it was like that.
