Thread: Puma failure in Cape York!

Originally Posted by patclan

I have/had the same issue, 4 places tried to balance them and they are shocking, worst tyre I ever had for driving distance, the 255/85 are full of wobble also on my car, they are sitting in my shed 50% worn, I put some cheap Hankook dynapro ATM RF10 on and they are a marvel to drive on compared to the KM2, they have done Fraser Island and my back yard so far and no issues, might put the KM2 on my spare wheels and use them on the next trip, but that depends out how good these Hankooks go.
Anyway just my 2c worth, I am glad they are not all bad as they are not cheap and I would hate for others to have wasted money also but it does appear that it is hit and miss if you get a good batch.

What size are the Hankooks?

Good to read about the KM'2 though.. I wanted to get em but if I cant balance em I'll just get upset lol

Originally Posted by n plus one

What size are the Hankooks?

I put on 265/75/16 - not as high as my km2's but I think that was a bonus not worth having with the stability issues and steering was rubbish compared to the new ones.

Well, looks like I spoke too soon, I was climbing under the Deefer today and found a pretty serious issue - the rear brake shields have finally cracked, bloody disaster!

Anyone know a cheap source of replacements/have any experience not running any shields?

PS I may have been falsely accusing the KM2s - looks like my issue might be hubcentric. Bloody things still make the truck pull left though!

Originally Posted by n plus one

Well, looks like I spoke too soon, I was climbing under the Deefer today and found a pretty serious issue - the rear brake shields have finally cracked, bloody disaster!

Any chance you can post a pic of where the brake shields have broken?

Originally Posted by FeatherWeightDriver

Any chance you can post a pic of where the brake shields have broken?

They crack around the mounting holes - it's very common. Can often be welded up (subject to how bad they are). No big deal, they're just a bit of pressed tin.

The rear brake shields don't last long, I'm on my fourth pair. I have had to replace them after every big trip. Seem like corrugations kill them. When you hear the rattle, stop and take them off. I heard the rattle, but since I was only 20km from the camp ground at Mitchell Plateau, I just carried on driving. Not long afterwards the ABS light came on, the broken shields had pulled out the ABS sensor. Lucky for me it was not damaged and I was able to put it back in. Dealer replaced the shields and sensor under warranty each time, but now it's out of warranty.

I was told that the best way to fix the problem, is to get some big fender washers for the bolt holes, and put a blob of Sikaflex behind the washer and fit them loose. When it is dry, tighten them up as normal The Sikaflex dampens the vibration and stops them from cracking. Going to try it before we do another outback trip.

And verily it has ever been thus. And he sayyeth that it always the LH side first. I welded mine back together over the cracks on my RRC and that lasted quite along time even with my first attempt welding .
So keep them and weld them back together . I wonder if it is partially caused by the stamping introducing stresses.
Regards Philip A