Jedi-Jurist

There have been a lot of reports of stock wheels bending on Grand Sports and Z06s here lately, and I've had one of my own front wheels bend on a brand new Grand Sport. In my situation, there was absolutely no damage, scratch or even a mark anywhere - the wheel just went out of round with less than 1000 miles on the car.

Why is this happening, is Chevy aware of this happening on more than an isolated occurrence, and what is being done to remedy the situation? Will you improve the strength of these Chinese-made wheels and offer a recall/replacement?

SCCA VETTE

I have 3 bent and one broken wheel and have never hit anything hard enough to do this kind of damage. Dealer did not diagnose the problem however did tell me to stop driving in sport mode.

Gary '09 C6

good question...voted !

jvp

This was sent to Tadge. He'll be on a business trip later this coming week so we're going to skip a cycle for "Ask Tadge". Therefore the answer may take a bit of time.

pdiddy972

Subscribed!

Travelor

Subscribed!

Nate@VanBortelChevy

In for a response. We have had a few customers and a trade-in (all C7 Z's) with 3 or 4 bent wheels per car. Thankfully we have sourced a company that will repair the wheels, much cheaper than replacing. This is clearly a defect if this is as common as it seems.

pika

subscribing, I am in the market and this may have me go to a Stingray instead. I really want to get a Grand Sport or Z06 but I live in NJ where the roads suck. I haven't whacked any pot holes lately but 287 and many other roads have rough patches which will never get fixed and I don't want to drive paranoid.

I know there are a few styles of these wheels, is it all of them that are prone to bending?

I have a daily for commuting but do want to drive to work on nice days. I did find a nice back road route though but don't want to have to avoid highways all the time

BaylorCorvette

I don't have a GS or Z06 but I've had two OEM wheels on my Z51 bend. No curbing or pot holes.

Jedi-Jurist

You weren't kidding - 3 weeks as of yesterday.

Dunga

Subscribed. Never had an issue with my OEM '14 Z51s here in northern Minnesota with some of the most dreadful roads I've ever driven on potholes and all.

Co-Vette

Something to ponder while we wait...

https://www.michelin.com/eng/media-r...it-won-t-break

atljar

Low profile runflat tires is the cause from my experience. No give in the tire sidewalls, transmits any and all road impacts into the body of the wheel itself.

Jedi-Jurist

If that were so, the Z51's would have this issue as well and, aside from one poster above, that doesn't generally seem to be an issue with them (it wasn't on my Z51).

FYREANT

I concur with this.

Travelor

The Stingray with the Z51 package has narrower (245 front and 285 rear vs 285 front and 335 rear ) and higher profile (35 front and 30 rear vs 30 front and 25 rear) than on the GS and the Z06.

This should make the Z51 and below tires stiffer as the sidewalls are closer together and the higher tire profile may provide more cushion that the GS and Z06. Just my unsubstantiated thoughts as to possibly why the GS and Z06 are more prone to causing wheel damage.

Jedi-Jurist

Wonder what the record for most time to answer a question in the Ask Tadge forum is.

FYREANT

Easy there killer.. he will answer. Maybe this is a good sign that they are looking into it directly before answering..

Jedi-Jurist

Started a poll on this, please be sure to vote:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1595799836

rnerbecki

Does anyone know if the bending, cracking issue on 2019 GS has been addressed by GM. I know the dealers offer a 5 year warranty on tires ans rims for $1200. I am considering this option.