Jerry White

The air dam on my 2011 GS Vert scrapes the ground going out of my driveway, on high speed-bumps and other uneven pavement. The instruction manual notes this will "occasionally" occur and is normal. Well, Ok, but what are the longer term ramifications of the scraping? What have other owners experienced? Does it need to be replaced every so often? Do they get beat up such that they come loose? I know they’re hinged to deal with the issue. I try all of the little tricks to minimize scraping, a wheel at a time etc., but............

Stevenyc777

Not a big deal my 08 went through 3 of them in a year..I usually have an extra one in the garage you can pick them up from partstaxi for around100-110..

Easy Rhino

Ramifications?

Getting used to it, and replacing as needed.

My driveway has a supersteep break over (if that's the correct term for it), and there is no way not to scrape coming and going.

I replace them as they get too ratty. No biggee.

I say enjoy the GS.

Torchsport

No worries. The only one that knows its scraped up, is you. I think I have seen the replacement cost is around $80, or so.
Mine is in bad shape. I don't see it, and don't care.
Just try to take the obvious bumps/dips/steep inclines at an angle, and slow.

Rusler John

I remember when it first happened to my new 07' coupe. I was pulling into my driveway and heard this scraping noise and thought to myself. "Oh Christ, what the hell did I do to my new Vette". So, I got out and checked the front end and at first saw nothing. But, when I got down on my hands and knees and looked close, I saw that the center of the air dam was a little roughed up. I was able to move it forward and backward, as if it was on a spring or something, so, I figured it was suppose to do that, being so close to the ground. After checking around and seeing about it on the Forum, I realized it was a common malady and not anything to worry about. It still does unnerve me when I hear the scraping, but, I know it's not a real serious thing and can be replaced if need be. So far, I haven't replaced it. It doesn't need to be, yet. I do take it real easy over speed bumps and railroad tracks, though.

MikeyTX

Have you taken the time to read the owners manual yet ? It quite explicitly covers this subject. It happens all the time. Get used to it. Enjoy the car !

AORoads

all obviously correct above. but don't forget what else is in that general area: your "skid plates" which are connected to your radiator supports. you do know the ramifications of "scraping" those too hard, right?

schmegeggie

If it gets roughed up on purpose, why spend/waste the $100 to replace it, just to trash it again?

cthusker

As long as it stays reasonably functional I wouldn't worry! The spoiler/air damn however is important in helping with cooling. If it's removed or so beat up it no longer works it can cause elevated engine temps. I know this because mine got completely ripped off and I didn't replace it immediately...... That resulted in higher than normal operating temps in certain situations. When it was replaced the temps immediately went back to normal for my car... In fairness mine is super charged so it might be more sensitive to improper air flow...

Kevin_NYC

comin in at angle to steep grades helps alot

ebf2k

The ramifications are about as serious as driving in the rain.

peter pan

That is what I try to do, and ours is in pretty good shape for all the little scrapes that occur

carpe dm

You will need to replace the air dam pieces.

DigitalWidgets

My thinking is that the part is way under there, and designed to handle the occasional scrapping. Since I wash/wax my car every week, and have yet to even touch that part with a rag, appearance isn't really a factor. As long as it functions properly, I'd treat it like any other wear and tear item (tires, filters, etc.)....when they no longer perform their job properly, replace them!

GOLD72

Absolutely none. Driven two different DD vettes five years each scraping backing out into the street with no real harm to the air dam. Don't sweat it.

gibear2k5

you know, I noticed the scraping on my car went down dramatically when I accidentally put 33 psi in the front tires. I just left it that way.

Thrash

Nothing you can do, the curb-ramp things are insanely expensive and black and not concrete colored???? Once you buy a new set it would be even easy to match them up to make them yourself if you have a rubber source ...

abecon5

the corvette will melt in the rain!! dont do it!!

Gearhead Jim

Last week I saw a C6 with long thick shreds of rubber hanging from the air dam, it looked like he had run into a lawn mower. He was experiencing no problems except for the ratty appearance.

Larry/car

I still have the original ones on my car (2006 model). Most of the time the out side air dams tip first, I use a sand paper stick to touch up the edges. The center hits when both front wheels go into those runoff depressions that cross the road. Keep the air-dams in good condition, they aid in cooling, at speed they act as a spoiler preventing the front of the car from generating lift.