A few years ago we were headed west out of San Antonio on I-10. We were in the right lane at rush hour, going up a slight grade, when I noticed we seemed to be slowing down more than what I thought was appropriate, and I was gradually turning the steering wheel more and more to the right. I realized that I was about at 90 degrees to the right on the wheel when the left front tire finally blew out. It took some elbow grease to get the rig over on to the shoulder. Although there was an exit "right there", I resisted the urge to crank the steering wheel "a little bit more". We both resumed breathing and I opted too to go ahead and change the tire myself. Lower the front struts so that the passing cars and rigs that were putting out a "bow wave" of air wouldn't shake the truck off the jack. Got it changed, picked up the wheel well liner, and got back on the road. Noted the ABS brake light was on, but fortunately there was a Dodge dealer at the next exit. Verdict: wire harness in above wheel well liner was damaged. Drove carefully to Kerrville, then back to San Antonio on Sunday. Dodge dealer did their thing, but missed something important as I found out next weekend... In passing through Austin I had to do a quick stop with a light that changed "quickly". Left front brake locked up and flat-spotted tire!! Back to the dealer Monday morning (AGAIN), with my words to the effect that the ABS computer had probably had a short circuit from the previous weekend blowout. CHECK IT OUT!! Guess what... the computer was toast. Bottom line: If you have a tire that blows and does body damage - look for more damage then just the tire.
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