# Tire thumping **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [November 12, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009 "2008-11-12T19:04:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drwalbu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/drwalbu/32/1041_2.png) [@drwalbu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/drwalbu)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009/1 "2008-11-12T19:04:28Z")
My 03 Ford Taurus develops a thumping vibration in the left front tire after driving at highway speeds. I have the tires rotated and balanced regularly. The tires are original and have only 28000 miles on them. Any suggestions??? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009/2 "2008-11-12T19:14:01Z")
Have the tire visually inspected and the wheel checked on a “road force balancing” machine. The machine spins the wheel w/tire while applying a simulated road force via a spinning drum pressed against the wheel. This can detect internal defects that regular machines cannot. ---
**Author:** ![drwalbu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/drwalbu/32/1041_2.png) [@drwalbu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/drwalbu)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009/3 "2008-11-12T23:11:23Z")
Thanks for the info. I’ll ask at the dealership if they have such a machine. ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 11:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009/4 "2008-11-13T11:43:02Z")
Have someone look at this IMMEDIATELY!! It’s possible the tire is separating and that could have tragic results. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009/5 "2008-11-13T14:00:14Z")
I agree with CapriRacer that this could be a separated belt–which could lead to a sudden blowout. If that was to happen at high speed, the outcome could be very, very bad. With any luck, it is not a separated belt, but this is not something that you should take chances with. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009/6 "2008-11-13T17:54:53Z")
I too agree with Capriracer that you should have this checked without delay. An internal seperation can generate a lot of heat on the highway and be the cause of a sudden blowout, a catastrophic failure. This could easily cause a serious crash. ---
**Author:** ![BarryNNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@BarryNNJ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BarryNNJ)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-thumping/22009/7 "2008-11-14T04:35:26Z")
It sounds like your tires are at least 6 years old. Tires are perishable and yours are rotting away. In accordance with many manufacturers’ (including Ford’s) recommendations, replace your tires after no more than 6 years, regardless of mileage or treadwear. Environmental factors can accelerate tire degradation. Here’s an independent reference, but also be sure to read your owner’s manual. [http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf](http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf)