getting more life out of tires by grooving them

[zzzz]

has anyone done this?

I can't really seem to find much info about the process, but a few people have mentioned.

For example buying a set of swampers with only 60% tread, can you cut the tread to make them 80%?

does it affect the strength of the tyre at all?

etc.

any ideas would be great

z

[greg]

I've heard of people using an angle grinder to sharpen the edges again and get some more life out of the tires...

i recall that there was a thread about it on snake racing site - i think that cheezy was the one who made the comment about the grinder.

as for the strength query - it was mentioned to me that removing bits of the tire would increase the flexibility of the tire - hense making it better on the rocks - check out all the american magazines - most of the guys seem to be doing that for rock crawling --> i guess a consideration would be how heavy your car is - that would control how much you could cut out of the tire and still expect it to have enough strength in it.

cheers.
Greg

[Singo17]

has anyone done this?

I can't really seem to find much info about the process, but a few people have mentioned.

For example buying a set of swampers with only 60% tread, can you cut the tread to make them 80%?

does it affect the strength of the tyre at all?

etc.

any ideas would be great

z

I have seen some sites in the States talking about sipping to get extra life out of the tyres and grip in the wet. Fine cuts in the tread blocks which are supposed to minimise heat build up in the tread block and therefore increase the life span of the tyre.....

Is this what you are talking about

[ToNkA]

I think he means cutting the tread deeper where the groves already exist, to create more tread.

[moose]

GROOVY !!!!
did it to my 33",s !!!!
took them from about 60%(worn) back to about 45-50% !!!!
best thing , is they now flex better than they did !!!!
which is good , because on my zook ,with about 6-7psi , the sidewalls didnt bag at all , now they do !!!!!

[beebee]

If you are doning as Tonka says and trying to recut extra tread depth, I would only be attempting this on tyres that are not yours ie a mates or ones that you got for free because I think that you will run a high risk of damaging the tyre.

If you are referring to siping which is placing small cuts in the tread block to break them up into smaller blocks then I say go for it if the tyres are losing their grip. You may risk chipping but it shouldn't harm the structural integrity of the carcass.

The latest issue of Peterson's 4 Wheel Offroad covers their Ultimate Adventure which BFG sponsered. As principal sponser, they offered every participant the choice of running the new BFG Krawler. The BFG personel extensively siped each tyre to try and tune them to each vehicle and driving style. This shows that there is some merit in siping even brand new tyres.

If you're cutting extra depth into the carcass then you're on your own.

[grimbo]

Grooving is great for things like opening up tread blocks and voids on a tyre. I've seen a BFG Mud grooved to be like a bogger almost. Every second lug was removed down to the carcass and the centre section was opened up. Also have seen a set of SATs with the centre opened up to flex more. I think the FJ70 that was in Tuff Truck had grooved boggers so they were basically a paddle tyre. If your tyre is worn it will still be worn once you groove but it may flex better or clean better. It is a skill you want to practice on a stuffed tyre before hacking into a good set as it is a challenge to keep a consistent grooving process on each tyre but the results can be a huge improvement

[zzzz]

ok, thanks for all the responses.....grooving would be on a 36" TSL or TSL/SX.

It would be for creating more tread depth as I can pick up some 60% tread ones for very cheap and am wondering how much extra I can squeeze out of them.

Will keep searching pirates for info.

cheers

z

[Wooders]

Zach,

Ask yourself why someone is likely to sell a tyre with 60% tread...Yes it's likely that they are upsizing, but more likely that the edges are getting rounded.
Now The tread depth itself is going to make minimal difference untill you get WAY down - but what you want is nice sharp edges. So rather than groving depth, I'd be simply groving edges.....Maybe some siping....

[grimbo]

I agree you don't want to start hacking into the tyre to get more tread depth but you may be able to salvage and improve the existing tread blocks by reshaping and also opening up the centre section to get more flex.

Happy Grooving