Tyre regrooving..

[Tins]

Anyone have experience? I have five Michelin XML 325/85 R16s. Yes, they are huge. They are not really suitable for everyday use but are phenomenal in low grip situations and can be deflated to almost nothing. They are quite dear if you can get them and are a PITA to dispose of. Mine are still roadworthy, just. I took them off the OKA 'cos the poor old Perky has trouble pushing them. New turbo should fix that.

Like all Michelin big tyres they are regrooveable, and I know someone who has a machine. Michelin publish a guide for this, but not for these as they are not sold here any longer. They have a theoretical regroove depth of 3.175mm, but where is that measured from?

I can't bring myself to chuck them.

[V8Ian]

I believe regardless of what Manufacturers state or mould into the sidewalls, regrooving is illegal in this country.
Regrooving also ruins the tyre's ability to be retreaded, which could be another avenue for your Mitchies.

[Tins]

Personally, I think retreading is what should be illegal. I don't even like it on drive or trailer tyres.

However, regrooving is not illegal. Look here. (https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/202110-0829-nhvim-section-5-wheels-tyres-and-hubs.pdf)

[V8Ian]

I stand corrected. My belief was based on out of date knowledge, from a time when regroovable tyres were not available in this country.
The first regroovable tyres that were available were aimed at suburban service busses, but legislation was lagging behind technology.

[oka374]

John it's not hard to do, we used to regroove 4wd tyres quite often back in the 70's and early 80's.
Just set the cutter depth on the tool at what you require before you turn it on, let it warm up completely before starting and then away you go. I reckon the manufacturers depth is from a bald case so you would be pretty safe with a just legal tyre. We found it easier to make a couple of shallower cuts rather than one big one, I reckon us oldies would need to take shallower cuts anyway as arm strength isn't what it used to be.

[Tins]

It's a fellow OKA owner who has the tool. You probably know him. He would have done it before I guess. I never have.

[V8Ian]

Don't push too quickly either, or the cutting tool will break.

[disco gazza]

A mate of mine back in the early 2000's regrooved his truck tyres on his tipper when he was driving for quarry mob.
Never had a problem with them or the law. That was in NSW.

DG

[oka374]

John get the tool owner to give you a lesson and he will probably have a tyre you can learn/practice on as well.

[Tins]

John get the tool owner to give you a lesson and he will probably have a tyre you can learn/practice on as well.

Yeah...... Knowing him, he probably has a few dozen he'd like me to practice on[bigwhistle].

The XMLs are a fairly simple pattern so it shouldn't be too difficult. Hope the tool has a big enough blade choice.

189867

Me wondering how they'd go on a D1......[bigsmile]

189868

Made sense on the OKA though. Just limited the highway speed to 80, and on hills etc it meant one gear lower.. But the grip was brilliant.

189869

[TonyC]

189868



Where did you get the 13 inch Disco wheel? 😁

Tony

[oka374]

John if you start getting tyres deflating check the rims, I had a set of those Eagle alloys and after about 8 years on the Oka they started to crack around the bend just outside the tyre valve position.
The first one I had repaired, the second one repaired as well but the third one despite repairing and unable to find any more cracks it still went clunk when tapped instead of a good "ring" so it was used as a hose reel.
I was only running 35" muddies so I reckon the XML's would load them even more, they are rated to 1550kg from memory.

[Tins]

Thanks, Peter. I have no problems with air loss, and the rims were inspected 12 months ago when the Yokohamas went on.

What rims do you run?

[oka374]

I've gone to Method's, they're rated at over 2t each and 17" with 37x 12.5 LT Yokohama AT's