abdo

I know that many of you add more pressure to the tires and perhaps put some soft padding under the tires. I purchased new tires for my '86 a couple of years ago and I would rather put blocks or jack stands under the suspension to avoid flat spotting. Up here in the northland, the car is stored for almost 6 months.
What do most of you do?

markKlein

Mine usually sits for at least four months, sometimes six; I over inflate, nothing else.

SmokinBlack

Mine is stored on the ground. As mentioned, I just make sure that I have them aired up well and they are fine.

Patsgarage

Just air them up to 40 psi or so and put some 1/2" plywood squares under each tire.

kael

Another thought is move or rotate the tires every month an 1/8th.

jdcfrank

My garage is carpeted, usually just leave on there.

jv9999

This is silliness in my opinion. Flat spots were a old bias ply problem. Modern radials do not need special treatment. If they do get a flat spot, it will come out the first time the tire warms up on the road.
I've had toys in 4-6 month storage for 20+ years. Never did anything to the tires and never had a problem. A full treated tank of gas, a float charger, and relax.

bac22

, been doing that with my 96 for 20 years, no problems come spring. First 5 to 10 miles you can tell the tires are a bit out of round, but disappear after that...it's one of those old recommendations that refuses to die much like changing oil every 3K!

mrbeautie

Corvette suspension does not like to stored with the wheels dangling. They are meant to sit on the ground.

Tom400CFI

What does plywood do?



I totally Falls into the category of stuff that don't need worryin' about.



The Corvette suspension doesn't "care" if it's on the round or in the air.

Patsgarage

[QUOTE=Tom400CFI;1593366619]What does plywood do?


It is something that I have heard from many older guys, something about keeping the moisture/cold from the concrete floor away from the tires.
I try and drive everything at least once every few weeks to avoid having to do any winterizing.

Tom400CFI

Huh. Must do the same thing as the other old timer's advice; putting batteries on wood.

Agree with intermittent driving when possible.

bb62

[QUOTE=Tom400CFI;1593366619]What does plywood do?



I totally Falls into the category of stuff that don't need worryin' about.



The Corvette suspension doesn't "care" if it's on the round or in the air.[/QUOTE]

Apparently, there are others who know that putting a car on blocks can possibly lead to shock absorber rust.

http://web.chapman.edu/asbe/faculty/...your%20car.htm

Tom400CFI

Sure thing. That "others" is someones opinion; about as valuable as anyones post on these forums. That "authority" is chock full of bunk -like putting batteries on a piece of wood.

Answer me this (and I asked you this before...but you didn't answer):
Why would the "shock absorber rust" when jacked....but not when sitting on the ground? What magical chemistry happens to the shock when you jack the car, that would cause it to rust?


.

bb62

Because more of the shaft is exposed to the air - specifically a part of the shaft that undergoes wear but does not need to be exposed to the elements. If this were NOT a concern, then shock manufacturers would not go to significant lengths to make sure the shaft is as free from the possibility of corrosion as possible. Consider the link below where Gabriel shocks note:

"Rust inhibiting finish applied to shaft (chrome plated & trication of zinc phosphate)".

http://gabriel.co.za/wp/?page_id=167

Notice that the word is "inhibiting", not "preventing" - which means that they know that the shafts DO corrode over time. Point is that this is something that IS tested for by both the supplier and the OEM - I've seen the OEM test requirements. Or perhaps you think those are just an opinion too.

Tom400CFI

O.K. sooooo the part of the shaft that is always exposed to air, for the life of the shock...that essentially never rusts. I've never seen an "in service" shock rod rust. But the part of the rod just below the part that is always exposed...that part will rust?

Lets examine this a little more closely; Obviously it's metal, corrosion is not only possible, but inevitable -given enough time. Yet miraculously, the top of the shock rod, the part that is always exposed....doesn't rust during the service life of most any shock! How can that be?? B/c the chrome finish is way better than good enough for the service life of a shock and then some.

The fear of a shock rod rusting, while stored in a garage and jacked up is "Trumped Up"; yes, metal (even chrome plated) will eventually rust...but not in the shocks lifetime. This truly is; "Stuff that don't need worryin' about".

abdo

As I am the OP, I should have clarified my desire to store the car off the floor during the winter. The tire flat spotting issue was well covered by all of you. I like to use the winter period to do things like detail the under carriage and wheel wells. It is a chance to rotate the tires and clean the inside of the wheels. I can also grease the fittings on the chassis. There are a few on my '86.

But I am also conscious about the risk in case of (God forbid) a fire. Having it on the floor makes it easier to save the car from destruction.

Tom400CFI

Interesting thought...but what are the odds? How often does your garage catch on fire.

Of those time it catches on fire, how often are you in a position (awake, at home, etc) to do anything about it?

Frankly, the most likely thing to cause a garage fire that would threaten your Corvette, is your Corvette.

kael

Nah, most likely thing to cause a fire in your garage is YOU.

If you leave Vette alone, it tends to just sit there.

Tom400CFI

I agree. I was making a joke in reference to the frequent electrical issues these cars have.