Continental SC3 Tyres - delamination
Discussion
Has anyone enjoyed or endured any problems with or reports of continuous circumferential splitting/delamination/tearing at/around the shoulder on Continental Sport Contact 3, i.e. the junction of the wall and the tread … especially on the front axle???
I have ... on two Mercedes cars supplied many months apart where all of the tyres in question were factory fitted/supplied as OE by Mercedes, all with >5 mm tread remaining all around and across each contact area band. These tyres are less than 2 years old and covered only c.15,000 miles. Some tread roots are also showing signs of tiredness which one could expect at 7 or 8 years of age – but not at less than 2.
Recommended inflations have been regularly checked and maintained since delivery of the vehicles.
The tyre insurer insists that this is general wear. The M dealer says they have seen this before (inside shoulder) but (naturally) are only prepared to supply replacements at my cost.
Two of these tyres are already under scrutiny by Continental - verdict still awaited - been told this could take 3 months or more and not to expect any admissions of a latent defect.
In the meanwhile, it may be worthwhile a very close scrutiny of all SC3s on the road for repetition of this - both inside (very difficult to detect on usual cursory glance) and outside walls ... as failure at high speed, particularly on the front axle could prove fatal.
I have ... on two Mercedes cars supplied many months apart where all of the tyres in question were factory fitted/supplied as OE by Mercedes, all with >5 mm tread remaining all around and across each contact area band. These tyres are less than 2 years old and covered only c.15,000 miles. Some tread roots are also showing signs of tiredness which one could expect at 7 or 8 years of age – but not at less than 2.
Recommended inflations have been regularly checked and maintained since delivery of the vehicles.
The tyre insurer insists that this is general wear. The M dealer says they have seen this before (inside shoulder) but (naturally) are only prepared to supply replacements at my cost.
Two of these tyres are already under scrutiny by Continental - verdict still awaited - been told this could take 3 months or more and not to expect any admissions of a latent defect.
In the meanwhile, it may be worthwhile a very close scrutiny of all SC3s on the road for repetition of this - both inside (very difficult to detect on usual cursory glance) and outside walls ... as failure at high speed, particularly on the front axle could prove fatal.
djbdjb said:
Has anyone enjoyed or endured any problems with or reports of continuous circumferential splitting/delamination/tearing at/around the shoulder on Continental Sport Contact 3, i.e. the junction of the wall and the tread
Er, yes. On the M25 last night at around 70mph. Heard a banging noise, thought, "what on earth is that". Pulled off at the next junction and after much rummaging around found some delaminated tyre bits wrapped around the rear axle. On closer inspection I discovered that it had come off the inside edge of my rear left tyre. Pretty scary considering I had the wife and kids in the car.If you are still on these forums I'd be intrigued to discover the outcome of the investigation you mentioned. Sounds like this might be a design fault in the tyres?
The problem is caused by excess camber from the factory. They all do it, of a certain era of Merc manufacture.
Its the car, not the tyre. They have massive castor angle as well.
Corrective action would be to fit camber adjustment parts from the dealer, or after market.
But first I'd suggest contacting wheels in motion in Chesham. They'll talk you through it. You need full geometric set up, for castor, camber, and toe. Car will handle better too, once its done.
Its the car, not the tyre. They have massive castor angle as well.
Corrective action would be to fit camber adjustment parts from the dealer, or after market.
But first I'd suggest contacting wheels in motion in Chesham. They'll talk you through it. You need full geometric set up, for castor, camber, and toe. Car will handle better too, once its done.
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