Tire Question

[Adam Hicklin]

I need all the tire experts to chime in.  Inner wheel seal was replaced without incident.  When we removed the tire I noticed a little raised/swollen area on the tire where the gear oil had run down.  Almost like a long blister but it was solid, not squishy. It doesn’t seem like the rubber is separating or anything like that.  It’s hard to see in the picture but, there are two drip paths about a 1/4 inch wide and probably 1/16 inch raised.  Safe?  Unsafe? 

Thanks in advance. 

[Fred Brooks]

   Adam,
Seems like a chemical reaction between the oil and the tire rubber. IMHO, I think it is cosmetic in nature and nothing to worry about. Fred

[Eric Maclean]

Adam
I agree with Fred
Oil and rubber don't mix the rubber will soften and turn jelly like if !st long enough but the oil has been removed now and the outer
Layer is not a structural component of the tire it is there to provide protection for the internal structure.
How ever if your worried about it I would draw a circle around the effected area with a wax pencil and keep an eye on it for the next couple thousand miles.