Keep them or send them back?

[JimW]

I just received two Maxxis ST tires from a mail-order site. I mail-ordered them because this brand of tire is not available in our area. Shipping was fast, only two days. On checking the tire manufacture date codes, one read 3706 (Aug, 2006) and the other 4407 (Oct, 2007). I guess I figured the mail-order place would have a high turnover and the tires would be of more recent manufacturing dates.

Should keep them or send them back?

This whole thing is tiring.

[mello mike]

WOW! I would definately send them back and tell them you want new tires less than 6 months old.

[Al - K4GLU]

Why don't you tell us who you ordered these from - it might help someone else not end up with the same situation.

[Silvertwinkie]

I bought mine direct from Maxxis and they were no older than a month or two max....

[Gene]

Send them back (after you talk to them about it).

What does their website say, if it does, about tire age? You may have to look around for something about it, but you want to have your argument ready when you talk to them. If they are sending out older tires, they may be difficult about this.

Gene

[Action]

Will they replace tires if cracks are found in treads or side wall? If so get it in writing and keep them. If not return them.

>>>>>>>>>Action

[JimW]

Little did I know that buying these tires online would lead to some much trouble and time. I did end up sending these 3 year old tires back to the Florida company I ordered them from. They waived the 25% restocking fee ($50) and allowed me to use their discounted UPS shipping rate ($50 instead of $110). I'm still out $50 in the end, but I'm learning.

I then ordered two more Maxxis tires from Discount tires. They arrived three days later and were 7 months old. I was very pleased with this. Now I can't wait to assemble the new wheels together with the metal valve stems, Centramatics, Hawkshead TPMS.

With determined attention to tire condition and age and upkeep, I hope to never have a damaging blowout again.

Jim

[Lumatic]

I agree you made the right decision returning them. Unfortunate for the next guy they send them to. I'm sure most people don't check.

What is Hawkshead TPMS?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by JimW

... Now I can't wait to assemble the new wheels together with the metal valve stems..

jim

IF planning to use the metal stems supplied by the tpms vendor...

check them for FIT very very carefully on the wheels.

steel stems must be isolated from the alloy wheel material, inside AND out.

failure to assure the stem is isolated from the wheel

will result in galvanic corrosion on the wheel and LEAKING at the stem/hole.

the stems supplied by them don't typically include gaskets/washers for the INSIDE and OUTSIDE.

as i recall there's an INNER gasket only.

if that is the case OR the stems don't fit correctly there will be problems.

some sort of isolator needs to be used under the small nut that secures the stem AGAINST the rim/hole
__________

i see no mention of which wheels are being used,

and many wheel vendors have specific styles of full metal stems that r compatible with the openings...

again check fit and be aware of ANY metal-metal contact,

IF the rims are aluminum alloy.

cheers
2air'

[Bluto]

Lumatic,
HawksHead is a system that monitors tire pressure and temps.

[JimW]

2Air,

Thanks for the "heads up" on the corrosion issue. I've used anti-seize goop on my road bike for years to prevent that very problem, but it never dawned on me that this would be a problem with these wheels. You're absolutely right that there is a rubber seal only on the inside and not the outside. See picture. I'm thinking that a neoprene washer should do the trick.

I have no idea what kind of wheels came with this AS, so I included a picture of one. It is the only closeup picture I have of the wheels.

Thanks again for the advice.

Jim

[2airishuman]

yeah, that's an alloy wheel.

anti seize is a good idea on the threaded portion of the outer stem...

and any non metallic washer may help (nylon for example)

the buffer doesn't need to be air tight because the seal comes from the black butyl INNER gasket.

but the other issue is the HOLE in the rim.

if the hole is tight and that outer metallic nut/washer doesn't have 360 degree clearance...

the hole will corrode and the corrosion will migrate toward the gasket/seal...

i had this issue on a set of alloy truck wheels with high quality aftermarket steel stems,

a very slow, subtle air leak around the stems on ALL 4 after about 6 months.

tires would loose 2-5 psi every 2 weeks, only spraying the stems with soapy water revealed the bubbly issue.

and AFTER pulling the tires and inspecting the INSIDE of the holes...

was the corrosion obvious on all 4 wheels on the inside at the stem holes.

and the corrosion originated from the OUTSIDE nut/washers that had cut into the the alloy wheel clearcoat.

cheers
2air'