Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

[Steven B.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

I still have the 5 original BW Steel Belted 500's that came on the '77 I orderd. I still have the tires and the car. All tires have steel belts through the tread. I wear gloves when moving the wheels and tires around the garage.

[Jack H.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

As I mentioned a couple of time before, this happened to me on the freeway driving from Chicago to Detroit back in the era. It was the front RH tire that suffered tread separation and the loose tread wrapped the front axle.

The car's steering pulled INSTANTLY all the way to the right with the tire taking out the wheel well, cutting the engine harness, going up on two wheels, spinning 360 degrees, rolling over and sliding into the center median. Talk about a 'fun' experience!!!

[Steve L.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Actually, I don't think they were "recalled". I had them on my 73. The dealer had my address so it was easy to find me.

I didn't get anything from the dealer or Firestone, nothing,,,,ever.

Even when I took my first tire into the Firestone dealer due to a split sidewall, the dealer never told me a thing.

The first time I knew of the problem was from the newspaper.

[Ralph S.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

I had one on the right rear of my 73 that i bought new, the belts separated at highway speed i was able to stop at a rest area and put the spare on, i had to let the air out of the bad tire to get it to fit into the spare tire well, I still have all 5 of the original whitewall tires in my garage.

[Jack H.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

My recollection is there was an eventual recall and/or 'substitution' policy from Firestone. But, there was quite a lengthy period where the issue was one of 'denial' by the mfgr.

In my case, I had direct conversations with Firestone's legal department. I had to sign a hold harmless agreement and repairs to the car were made through a local company owned Firestone store via their petty cash account of all things!

All five tires (the one that failed was actually STILL holding air) were replaced with new polyglass tires and the original 500 steel belted radials 'disappeared' back to Firestone's headquarters in Ohio. Does this sound like a CYA deal? Heck, I didn't care--there was no loss of life and Firestone made me 'whole' on the deal.

But, my recollection is there were more serious repercussions elsewhere. I have a fuzzy memory of Ohio State Troopers who were killed in high speed pursuit(s) that generated reasonably SERIOUS legal proceedings between Firestone and the government...

BTW, there IS a special NCRS rule on judging that covers factory recall affected items. So, I don't think I'd consider risking the use of these tires even IF you can find factory originals that are still intact!

[Robert R.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Just curious, did you have the spare at normal tire pressure?
I wonder if that may have contributed to its failure while in the tub.

[Peter G.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Robert brings up a very good question. Air pressure while tire is NOT being used. I have five of these tires mounted on rally wheels that I store in the basement until needed for NCRS judging.

I am curious should I store them at what tire pressure to save them from exploding the longest? I know I do not like airing them up! I feel I should wear gloves and a helmet and really maybe a keflar vest?

Thanks

[Scott P.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

William this link to the Oklahoma NCRS website will give you the first and the second Firestone recall to look at in their entirety.

http://www.ncrs-ok.org/firestone_recall.html

Scott

[William M.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

BTW, there IS a special NCRS rule on judging that covers factory recall affected items. So, I don't think I'd consider risking the use of these tires even IF you can find factory originals that are still intact!

From the 73-74 JG: "A recall by Firestone of the 500 tires occurred in 1973 and 1974. Their replacement was the Firestone 721 Steel Belted or any other Firestone series of the same size. No penalty should be given for these replacement tires."

[Oliver B.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Thanks for sharing those docs, Scott.

Seems like not all 500's were subject to the recall. Sounds reasonable, as I see my spare still in good condition (no seperation or such). Then I got a photo with my car (77) showing the owner in Feb 78 in front of it. The 500 RWL's on it - looking GREAT...

I will check my tire with your (recall-) codes provided...

[William M.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Just curious, did you have the spare at normal tire pressure?
I wonder if that may have contributed to its failure while in the tub.

It was probably around 20 - 25 PSI
Well, now it's 0

[Clem Z.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

we had them on a new 1974 caprice and on a trip to Fla. we had seperations in 4 of the 4 and firestone would only replace them 1 at a time. never bought firestones after that.

[John M.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Bill you and Glen did a great job at the national! Maybe someone will make repops of the 500's but now. How about the three great looking guys and there blue ribbons!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Firestone 500's are a black eye in the history of Firestone and I was told they don't want any repos to bring up the issue. It was fun one year when a few employees of Firestone came by my space at Carlisle and seen the stacks of 500's that their boss had told them were all recalled and forgot about. Lots of pictures but no offer to buy them.

[Russ S.]

Re: Firestone 500's - why they were recalled

Scott, This is great info. I wasn't aware before this, that 73-74 500s weren't included in the recall. I bought my 73 new and when the tires were about 3/4 worn out I took the car to the local Firestone dealer and they replaced them. Russ