5 year old Cooper Cobras cracking…… ?. Anyone else? ?

[Mopar Hunter]

Got 18 years out of my Goodyear Marathon.

 

[Darter6]

My original Marathons on my car trailer back in 1995 lasted 10 years and well over 100K.
Next 4 sets I couldn't get 4 years out of them before failing. Tread separation, broken belts etc.
I believe they have what it known as manufactured to fail date built in .

 

[ajarofclay]

Not sure of your mileage but I would think Discount tire would prorate them under warranty. I've never had an issue with Discount and I use them pretty exclusively. If you run into an issue at the place you purchased them, I'd go to a different one or email customer service.

 

[HillsBilly]

Ok, maybe I got it right this time. 0319 and that should be March of 2019 which means the tires were somewhat “fresh” when I got them. Really unfortunate for them because now they will lose my support and I will search out different brands and go from there.

I hope this helps anyone else here who may be considering buying tires. I can assume that most of us generally only drive our classic cars in better weather and like me replacing tires more based on aging out rather than wearing them out. All I ask is to get around 10 years of reasonable service without falling apart.

According to what I have read in researching my own tire codes, the 03 of 0319 is one of 52 numbers of the first two digits, meaning these tires were not made in March, but rather the 3rd week of 2019, so they're January tires.

 

[64fury74charger]

Not sure of your mileage but I would think Discount tire would prorate them under warranty. I've never had an issue with Discount and I use them pretty exclusively. If you run into an issue at the place you purchased them, I'd go to a different one or email customer service.

Not many miles on those tires, have had them balanced and rotated. I have spent considerable money at Discount Tire on 4 of my 5 vehicles so I think my issue will be heard and maybe they will give me a credit on new tires.

Plus I have bought at least 3 sets of wheels as well. I am looking at different brands of tires and there are some that are supposed to be really good in wet weather so that narrows down my choices.

 

[64fury74charger]

According to what I have read in researching my own tire codes, the 03 of 0319 is one of 52 numbers of the first two digits, meaning these tires were not made in March, but rather the 3rd week of 2019, so they're January tires.

Well at least they were made the same year so I guess that’s a good thing. I have learned more about tire dates and since my plan is to replace based on age rather than mileage I will be reading tire dates on replacement tires.

I had planned on getting at least 10 years out of these Cooper tires but that plan is not working. I hadn’t thought about tire dates because in general people don’t take care of their tires and destroy them so tires are a high volume and potentially profitable business. That’s just my opinion and experience.

 

[Kern Dog]

I bought my first set of Nittos for this car in 2003. Around 2014 I was having vibrations in the car and took the wheels off to take to America's tire for rebalance. They wouldn't touch them. They looked excellent. Zero evidence of age, no cracks anywhere. When I replaced those tires, I looked inside. Also no defects were visible. I did figure that if I was going to replace tires every 5 years or so, I wanted to replace tires that are worn out....so I went with a much softer compound tread.

 

[64fury74charger]

I bought my first set of Nittos for this car in 2003. Around 2014 I was having vibrations in the car and took the wheels off to take to America's tire for rebalance. They wouldn't touch them. They looked excellent. Zero evidence of age, no cracks anywhere. When I replaced those tires, I looked inside. Also no defects were visible. I did figure that if I was going to replace tires every 5 years or so, I wanted to replace tires that are worn out....so I went with a much softer compound tread.

When I lived in San Diego the soft and sticky tires were great and no real weather to worry about, but up here rain and ponding on these worn out roads along with idiots who can’t drive really create challenges sometimes. Some years ago I had some really sticky low profile tires on the Charger and they would go about 3 years and I had lots of fun.

Your car is really good looking and I am sure it handles the way you like it. I really enjoy reading your posts about the different things you’ve done and everyone learns from each other. Thank you for sharing your projects with all of us on this site.

 

[Kern Dog]

Thanks for the kind words.
I like knowing that whatever discoveries we all make can benefit others as well.

 

[stillrunners]

Dang....those old factory equip Polyglass lasted for ever.......

 

[polyjohn]

Yep factory supplied tyres always last longest!
Seen them do 50,000 miles and twenty years with careful driving.

My new tyres on my GTX were showing sidewall cracks after two years!!!
I guess lack of use makes the issues worse as rubber is a organic compound...

 

[themechanic]

Not my experience. Carport occasional sun. San Jose.

But you are one of the rare individuals who actually drives his car. Maybe sitting on the tires in one place caused the cracking.

 

[anderson74]

I'm definitely over the 5yr mark on my '91 Camaro (garaged semi-daily driver). Second set of Cobras and I've never had this issue.

 

[Encswsm]

Got 18 years out of my Goodyear Marathon. .. lol
View attachment 1670903View attachment 1670904

There's a huge difference between Trailer Tires Truck Tires and car tires, Truck Tires and trailer tires are usually like 10 ply so will naturally last longer. Also its recommended to change tries at 5 years. My method is to replace them if cracked or damaged. I think in the long run replacing them is cheaper than replacing body panels if there's a catastrophic blow out. There! that's my 2 ¢¢

 

[khryslerkid]

I bought these used just to get the truck inspected. Date 2817. No signs of cracks and they're made in the USA.

 

[64fury74charger]

Update and great news. I did some research and decided to go with a different type of tire. I made an appointment for today at Discount Tire and they credited me for the Cooper tires and my total with mounting and balancing out the door was $90.73.

I went with the Pathfinder tires with a 60k warranty and on the way back home on the freeway these tires are actually quieter than the Cobra tires. So it is really refreshing to know that there are still some businesses out there that take care of their customers. I saved over $500.00 today and I wanted to let everyone know.

 

[Darter6]

I can see by the tread pattern why they are quiet. Nice looking tire !

 

[polyjohn]

Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy!

As a Brit, my biggest ambition when visiting America was...

Standing on a corner in Winslow AZ, just had to got there...

I gotta know that your sweet love is gonna save me!

Didn't want to be stoned by two women though...

 

[Darter6]

Standing on a corner in Winslow AZ, just had to got there...

Me too. Was driving thru,Had to stop for a photo op.