Wheels on "backwards"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 5
From: Sublimity OR
Wheels on "backwards"
After reading about Cousar33's new Corvette and Keystring's advice about his back wheels being on backwards, I looked at mine; mine were also on backwards.
Discount Tire took off the rear tires and switched the rims side-to-side. I suspect that it was not Discount's fault that this happened. I think the previous owner had them on wrong and Discount just put everything back like it was.
I am learning a lot on the forum. Thank you.
Kistler
Discount Tire took off the rear tires and switched the rims side-to-side. I suspect that it was not Discount's fault that this happened. I think the previous owner had them on wrong and Discount just put everything back like it was.
I am learning a lot on the forum. Thank you.
Kistler
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,105
Likes: 9,418
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
if you look at the back of wheel you will see its embossed left rear, right rear, left front, and right front.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
The incredible 90's technology. They actually do a GREAT job at fighting brake dust. I think it's helarious when I see a brand new mustang with the front rims caked in brake dust after he cleaned them last week, then a C4 corvette with perfect rims and only cleans them when he washes his car.
Classic
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,025
Likes: 6,538
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Don't feel bad Kistler - we all start out knowing nothing, and the learning never stops. There was a thread a while back where guys admitted to discovering things they never knew about their cars, even after owning them several years in some cases. The great thing is that no matter what your question or problem, SOMEONE on this forum can help.
And in some cases, about the time somebody really has a handle on his car, he sells it and gets one older, or newer, and starts all over again!
And in some cases, about the time somebody really has a handle on his car, he sells it and gets one older, or newer, and starts all over again!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 5
From: Sublimity OR
I agree, Ford seems to have lost it; our 2003 Expedition really shoveled the brake dust out onto the rims....especially the front rims.....could not drive around the block without having to clean rims.
My neighbor bought the Expedition and immediately put on ceramic pads and that helped a little....very poor design. I think they fixed it in 2004 models.
My neighbor bought the Expedition and immediately put on ceramic pads and that helped a little....very poor design. I think they fixed it in 2004 models.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,025
Likes: 6,538
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
My F150 and the wife's Jeep both have significant problems with brake dust. It may well be because I always insist on buying the cheapest brake pads they sell, rather than the "Lifetime Guarantee" type. My logic is SOMETHING is going to wear, and I'd rather replace worn out pads than rotors. Don't think I have changed the Vette pads since I've had it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
I could be wrong, but if you notice the expensive cars- BMW, Mercedes, etc there wheels always look dirty. I read somewhere that this is because they use a "soft" brake compound, This is so that the pads wear faster than the rotors. In the "Lifetime" pad compounds there seems to be a lot more metalics (SP?) in there. This causes the pads to last longer, but they eat your rotors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,599
Likes: 10
St. Jude Donor '16
I sold my 05 mustang bout 9 months ago.I never owned a car that produced so much dust, and had such poor stopping ability. I should say later model car.I had some when i was young i would have to throw out a anchor. lol
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
When I bought my 92 Vette the rear wheels were on backwards. Checking the paperwork I saw that the tires had been installed by Discount Tire in Phoenix, where I bought the car. When I got the car home to the Seattle area I called Discount to see how much they would charge to swap them around correctly. The answer was "Nothing. If Discount did it wrong we will fix it." Give your local shop a call. Let us know what they say.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
Mine are on backwards, too, but I don't care because I'm dyslexic.
Anyway, if I'm parked in a row of other polo green convertibles with hardtops I'll be able to recognize my car immediately.
Anyway, if I'm parked in a row of other polo green convertibles with hardtops I'll be able to recognize my car immediately.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I'll admit it...... this is a little difficult......
I climbed over the e-brake for 2 years.....
I layed the targa down in the back end because I didn't know what the brackets that were sitting in the cargo bin should be used for.....
I used a flathead screwdriver to unlatch the targa....
The targa has taken flight (I think this has happened to everyone) which I promptly fixed with duct tape.
I climbed over the e-brake for 2 years.....
I layed the targa down in the back end because I didn't know what the brackets that were sitting in the cargo bin should be used for.....
I used a flathead screwdriver to unlatch the targa....
The targa has taken flight (I think this has happened to everyone) which I promptly fixed with duct tape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
Im pretty sure the fins are designed to throw the air out
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 5
From: Sublimity OR
OK, in or out with the air....machts nichts, but should the fins, or whatever you call those "spokes" on the 1986-1987 corvettes, should they "bite" forward or reverse?
I would take off the wheels and look for the LF, LR, etc., designation but I gave away my torque wrench when I sold my Airstream
Not only that but I am basically lazy and they look OK now--all "biting" forward.
I would take off the wheels and look for the LF, LR, etc., designation but I gave away my torque wrench when I sold my Airstream
Not only that but I am basically lazy and they look OK now--all "biting" forward.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
Yes, I think your wheels are correct now. Here's my '87 with the original wheels:
I've since switched to 17" rims. Next time you're near your car take a look at the tires. There should (I think) be a rotation direction indication (& it should be pointed forward):
I've since switched to 17" rims. Next time you're near your car take a look at the tires. There should (I think) be a rotation direction indication (& it should be pointed forward
):
By the way, your car looks like it could be parked in a beach parking lot in Ocean Shores, WA.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
It's Baylands Park in Palo Alto on San Francisco Bay.
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/...e_baylands.asp
The Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center is in the background.
It's a nice place for a walk by the water looking at the birds and small planes doing touch and gos at the adjacent airport.
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/...e_baylands.asp
The Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center is in the background.
It's a nice place for a walk by the water looking at the birds and small planes doing touch and gos at the adjacent airport.