Radial tire question

[MOTORHEAD]

For years we were told that once radial tires were run in one direction that they should not be reversed and run in the opposite direction as this could cause the belts to break loose causing a lump in the tire tread, and making it out of balance and roundness, and maybe even dangerous.
Some time ago as I was having balance problems with my truck tires, I was told that the "one direction only" rule for radials no longer applied.
Does anyone here have factual information on this subject ?

TIA
Ted

[motordean]

no factual info - but it just seems so wrong to ever even question putting a directional tire any other way....

[Shootnride]

Since my 2007 GM truck is equipped from the factory with radial tires, and the factory manual stipulates rotating tires side to side and front to back, I would assume that the old rule about rotating radial tires no longer applies. Although, I'm pretty sure that directional tread tires should still only be rotated front to rear, not side to side.

Ted

[MOTORHEAD]

I'm talking about regular radials, not directional, which i think refers to the tread pattern.
Sorry for the confusion.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

For years we were told that once radial tires were run in one direction that they should not be reversed and run in the opposite direction as this could cause the belts to break loose causing a lump in the tire tread, and making it out of balance and roundness, and maybe even dangerous.
Some time ago as I was having balance problems with my truck tires, I was told that the "one direction only" rule for radials no longer applied.
Does anyone here have factual information on this subject ?

TIA
Ted

I haven't been able to find any credible debunking of the old myth relating to the "one direction only" rule for radials, only a few forums where the largely uninformed are weighing in with their opinions.

OTOH, there are plenty of good sources for information relating to proper tire rotation, NONE of which refer to the old myth. As such, I believe you can safely assume said myth has no merit.

Check out:
http://www.tiresafety.com/maint/maint_content.asp
Tire Tech Information - Tire Rotation Instructions

[mikeinatlanta]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

I haven't been able to find any credible debunking of the old myth relating to the "one direction only" rule for radials, only a few forums where the largely uninformed are weighing in with their opinions.

OTOH, there are plenty of good sources for information relating to proper tire rotation, NONE of which refer to the old myth. As such, I believe you can safely assume said myth has no merit.

Check out:
http://www.tiresafety.com/maint/maint_content.asp
Tire Tech Information - Tire Rotation Instructions

Yep, just make sure and change the nitrogen so the molecules can properly realign for the optimum gas mileage and all that other stuff nitrogen is supposed to do.

[cycleguy55]

Don't get me started on the issue of selling gullible people on the value of using nitrogen in tires. Oh wait, you just did...

As Tire Rack says: "Rather than pay extra for nitrogen, most drivers would be better off buying an accurate tire pressure gauge and checking and adjusting their tire pressures regularly." (Tire Tech Information - Clearing the Air About Nitrogen Tire Inflation)

Edmunds: "Based on cost, convenience and actual performance benefit, we don't think nitrogen is worth it." (Should You Fill Your Car's Tires With Nitrogen?)

Wheels.ca: "There is much hype about nitrogen, and it is just a lot of hot air." Why nitrogen in your tires is a waste of money - WHEELS.ca

[sllib]

Ted;
I worked in the tire business for a long time and have seen tires pull from crossing sides but never come apart unless there was already a belt separation starting. On my own truck I cross-rotate front to rear but keep the rears on the same side when moving to the front; this seems to give the fronts time to settle in on the rear where a slight pull wouldn't be noticed. Poor alignment and improper air pressure will do MUCH more damage to your tires than rotation.
Bill

[Thor maine]

That was the old rule for Bias and Bias belted tires, never run them in the opposite direction because internal friction will heat up the tire and cause it to fail. Radial tires never had that same problem. or so I have been told.

[MOTORHEAD]

Well it seems that the consencess is that if there was a problem when radials first appeared, that the problem does not now exist.
That answers my question.
Thanks to all.