Michael H Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Doing some jobs on the car today, and I noticed some cracking on the sidewalls of my 15" CR500s. These tyres are 2 years old, 10,000 miles on them, still legal with about 3mm tread left. 3 out of the 4 tyres have the cracks, mostly on the inner sidewall (which is why I didn't notice them before). See here. I've got a track day in a few weeks - Very unhappy about going out with tyres in this condition! Anybody else had a similar experience with CR500s? Is a call to Avon in order, or do I just replace them since they were nearly done anyway? Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 They all do that sir !! Heat build up in sidewalls. Avon told me years ago that they considered the sidewalls were cosmetic only and such cracks didn't affect the integrity of the tyre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eccles Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I just had the same problem and Avon were very keen to have the tyre back to have a look at it. I am waiting on a result from the inspection (which all has to be done through Caterham Cars as Avon don't sell direct). Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FramerateUK Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Happened on mine too. They were on the car when I got it. Didn't notice any cracking until a few months ago and then replaced them. Always assumed cracks in the sidewall to be an accident waiting to happen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 The 15" CR500s are prone to surface cracking on the inside wall, due, I believe, to the increased temperature with the tyre wall flexing more than the outer wall because of the camber. It was suggested that this could become more of an issue when cars travel long distances with little change in the positioning of the wheels and steering to relieve the constant flexing (eg long motorway journeys etc - which you shouldn't be doing in a 7 anyway ). Here's mine from 2007 (Avon Racing replaced them direct, and have done so with a few other membrs as well - blatmail me if you'd like a contact) : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj48 Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 It can also affect the 13" Avon's as well!! Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted September 8, 2013 Member Share Posted September 8, 2013 Is "2 years old" from when you bought them or when they were made? Thanks Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael H Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 Quoting Jonathan Kay: Is "2 years old" from when you bought them or when they were made? The date codes are 2111, 2511 and 2611 so I reckon that means June 2011. That date tallies with my purchasing them from CC in September 2011. I've emailed Avon, interested to know if they will reply. Quite fancy a new set FOC... Thanks for the replies everyone Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted September 8, 2013 Member Share Posted September 8, 2013 Thanks. Good luck. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I recently found similar cracks on the sidewalls of my 15-inch CR500’s on the rear only (245/40 R15); no cracks on the front (195/45/ R15). I have 8500 road miles on the tires; no track miles. I bought the fronts tires from CC in 2007 with my S3 kit, which was not completely assembled until 2010. I bought the larger rear tires in 2009. None of the tires hit the road until 2010. I suppose any warranty claim to Avon at this point would be out of time…. Has Avon categorically stated that these cracks are not a safety issue? If so, I will stop worrying about them. If not……. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I had a tyre swapped by Avon that was over two years old. Always worth asking with some dramatic closelup photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted September 10, 2013 Leadership Team Share Posted September 10, 2013 Quoting Ian B: It was suggested that this could become more of an issue when cars travel long distances with little change in the positioning of the wheels and steering to relieve the constant flexing (eg long motorway journeys etc - which you shouldn't be doing in a 7 anyway ). Strange, my BMW seems to cope fine with many 1000's of straightline motorway miles, very similar camber angle (if not more) but running real tyres. A good search of BC will show this has been discussed many times before, sometimes the result being a crack completely across the tread pattern. Basically Avons are cr4p. Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colindavies56 Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 michaelh,yes that is the date stamp. week 21 2011 week 25 2011 week 26 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beejay993 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Just noticed that I have some cracks on the inner walls of my rear CR500's... Just wondered if anyone knows if they will pass an MOT with the cracks ? I'm soon to be taking the car for a 600+ mile run...do the cracks introduce and safety risks ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 according to Avon the cracks aren't structural, but whether the average MOT tester will know/realise that, or care, is a different matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted July 4, 2014 Member Share Posted July 4, 2014 Quoting Michael H: Anybody else had a similar experience with CR500s?Yes, there are about 10 threads which include "CR500" and "cracks", including this one, which includes MOT criteria. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now