Cooper ST MAXX - First Impressions

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

So I had my cooper st max 265/70/17 fitted 34k ago August 2012. I've been getting sawing on the steer tyres, even though I rotate & balance every 10k (by specialised 4x4 shop not toyota dealer). I'm also getting splitting/tearing? Refer to photos. I have always aired up after going offroad before hitting the blacktop and have my tyres inflated to 37psi. Any idea why I'm getting this splitting/tearing????

That's the flow cracks I mentioned before. I went through six tyres on the patrol because of that problem. It is only cosmetic and not a safety issue. It's causes by the white rubber fe laminating for the carcass. The white rubber is only there for the writing.

Most tyre shops have asked cooper to stop with the white writing to avoid this. Cooper will replace them free of charge though.


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[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

So I had my cooper st max 265/70/17 fitted 34k ago August 2012. I've been getting sawing on the steer tyres, even though I rotate & balance every 10k (by specialised 4x4 shop not toyota dealer). I'm also getting splitting/tearing? Refer to photos. I have always aired up after going offroad before hitting the blacktop and have my tyres inflated to 37psi. Any idea why I'm getting this splitting/tearing????

Interesting, while airing back up today after our power lines trip, I noticed that one of my steer tyres has started to develop these small cracks, will have yo head down to the local tyre power for a chat

[vxcruiser08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vxcruiser08]

Yes that's normal. I posted this in my build thread on one of the last 3 pages. Nothing to be concerned about - Spoke to coopers rep for Central West NSW and he said it's the same layer as just paint flaking/cracking on your bar work or whatever. However as the tyre shouldn't do this they will still honour their warranty if you want them replaced, it will be on a pro rata basis for however many km's you've travelled so far. I was offered $200 per tyre for mine (paid $420 each i think and i've travelled around 60k).

[Thurbie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Thurbie]

Signature035 - My spare cover fits over my ST 265/70R17's so expect it will fit over the ST-Maxx.

I picked up 4 ST-Maxx today for $400 a pop and my first impressions are good, even seems a little quieter. Going to hit some snow and mud later this week to find out the real story though. Had to go Coopers again as very impressed with the ST's hard wearing and hope for same with Maxx (the Tambo Camper now has new shoes that have done 87,000 km yet still have 8mm of tread).

I run mine at 40 PSI - rides a bit firm, but good wear. Going to keep an eye out for splitting!!

[ttmx83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close ttmx83]

So I had my cooper st max 265/70/17 fitted 34k ago August 2012. I've been getting sawing on the steer tyres, even though I rotate & balance every 10k (by specialised 4x4 shop not toyota dealer). I'm also getting splitting/tearing? Refer to photos. I have always aired up after going offroad before hitting the blacktop and have my tyres inflated to 37psi. Any idea why I'm getting this splitting/tearing????

This is the reason why I got a set for $125 per tyre, they are warranty claims. Coopers cut the serial number out of the sidewall for obvious reasons.

I was a bit nervous when purchasing them, but the cracks have not got any worse on mine and I have put about 14,000klm on top of the 5,000klm they said were on them. The cracks are on both sides, but worse on the white lettering side.

I'd be upset if I purchased them new, but I knew what I was up against. They are a fantastic tyre in pretty much all conditions.

Cheers Brad

[borgy Member Find all posts View Profile Close borgy]

Hi all

Just did the 1st trip on a set on st/Maxx - doesn't even look like they did!! Happy so far.

What's the current recommendation for a 6 tyre rotation pattern (i.e. which tyres to go where during a rotation)??

Cheers
Borgy

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Fronts diagonally to the rear, rears up as spares and spares onto the front on that same side as they were on the rear last. I have numbered the inside of each rim 1-6 to help keep track.

[borgy Member Find all posts View Profile Close borgy]

Thanks Andy.

The other take I have heared is : Two come off the front and go as spares, the rears move forward and the two that were spares go on the rears... not sure the difference, benefits, etc??

Also, how have you found to be the most effective, long lasting way to mark/number the tyres?

[discoveraus Member Find all posts View Profile Close discoveraus]

Hello all,

I rotate mine the same as bogy suggests for the first 15000 km (5000 in each position) and then swap the tyres to the other side.

This gives a direction of rotation change every 10000 km for each tyre.

Seems to work for me.

Regards

Ross

[bfranzen Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bfranzen]

Guys - does anyone know if the 275/65/18 st max fits the rear door wheel carrier (no cover)

Thks

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

As for numbering, I numbered the inside of one of the spokes of the rim 1-6 with a paint pen, have found i need to go over it about every 4-5 rotates but that was on my old cruiser that got treated a bit harsher than this one will. The only difference with my rotation is by changing sides when they go on the back means they remove the "saw tooth" heal and toe wear as well as wearing flat. Means I have reasonable flat wear on the two spares, looks alot better if you are trying to convince someone rotations are worth the effort.

[ko7624 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ko7624]

Signature035 - My spare cover fits over my ST 265/70R17's so expect it will fit over the ST-Maxx.

I picked up 4 ST-Maxx today for $400 a pop and my first impressions are good, even seems a little quieter. Going to hit some snow and mud later this week to find out the real story though. Had to go Coopers again as very impressed with the ST's hard wearing and hope for same with Maxx (the Tambo Camper now has new shoes that have done 87,000 km yet still have 8mm of tread).

I run mine at 40 PSI - rides a bit firm, but good wear. Going to keep an eye out for splitting!!

Thurbie,

Could you confirm if your new ST Maxx 265/70/17s did fit under the hard cover?

Ken

[ttmx83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close ttmx83]

I have had a 265/70/17 on a 17X8 rim with a +10 offset under the spare wheel cover. This offset pushes the wheel out a little more, so that may be helping. It's tight, but it fits with a push. I don't use the cover though ;-)

Cheers Brad

[jonoxplor Member Find all posts View Profile Close jonoxplor]

275/70/R17 doesn't fit on standard rims... scrubs the UCA at full lock. Fitted a set of 265/70/R17's today, much more aggressive and stiffer than the AT3's I had previously. Only time will tell how they hold up.

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

I know some who had that splitting from new and had the tyres replaced. Cooper say it isn't critical, but I would have a go. Apparently there was a bad batch around that time.

Mine is going in tomorrow for this very issue - it was spotted on the inside face of the tyres by the tyre fitter when I went to have the Coopers service done to maintain the warranty. We'll see how it goes!
Why are these tyres illegal in SA? Mine were bought and fitted in SA by the previous owner at a Coopers agent?