Finally, I had my first tire problem with the Vette, after 12k miles. A guy at an intersection stoplight was waving like crazy. He said "your right front tire is REALLY low". By the time I could pull over, it was only 12 psi. I limped into to a gas station, filled it to 42 psi, and made it home with "no pulling". Next morning, 12 psi.

I fixed it today. I used my Jeep scissors jack and one of my blue anodized aluminum "art work" lift pucks to raise it. As you all know, there is only 4 1/4" clearance when you put the 1" puck "into" the frame.

It had a dry-wall screw in one of the grooves. I cleaned up the tire and rim, and went to town. Bought a 3 /3/4" high scissors jack at Autozone for $25. And headed to Tire Discount.

As usual, people waiting all over the place. Went for a hamburger, tire was done when I got back. The best part, they plugged the hole, put a patch inside, put in a new tire valve, and rebalanced. From the factory, it had a small weight on the outside, same size on the inside. They moved the tire from previous point, and managed to spin balance it on "the good machine" with only a small weight on the inside.

Maybe having Goodyear F1 Supercars on 9 1/2" Z06 front rims, both clean as whistle, makes them "work a little harder"? And, it was free. Of course, when they checked the computer, I've bought two sets of BFG All-Terrains in the last 2 years, for the Jeep and the pickup. I have no idea about their other stores, but I already knew my local Tire Discount guys are really good. I've been there quite a bit with "off-road" slow leak (cactus) or rock damage replacement needs. This was my first "hi-perf" need. I'm impressed.

Bottom line, I'm going to carry the scissors jack along with the pucks, the pliers, and the plug kit, along with the "standard kit". Will make rotating a tire to find any "foreign objects" a lot easier. Maybe a flashlight helps too ? I'll eat the weight penalty.

 

I have a small scissor jack from Sears, a plug kit, extra glue and a small air compressor from Murrays. All that stuff fits neatly in the small compartment opposite from the one with the GM tire kit. The jack fits
in the center well. The air compressor cost 20 bucks and plugs into the power outlet or cigarette lighter and works very well. Comes in handy in case you lose too much air while plugging the tire on the side of the highway.

JS

 

Glad you got the tire fixed and that it didn't happen while you were on a road trip. My biggest concern is a flat tire on the road

Hey, #1348 here; our cars were probably within sight of each other as they were being built (or very close to it).

Mike
Cave Creek, AZ
#1348; 4-19-2004

 

I got a flat the last time I was at the track, noticed it after my first session. I just keep a plug kit in the little compressor case, & after I found the hole(nothing was in it) in the tread area, I plugged it up & aired it up with the OEM compressor, & I was good to go. Didn't even miss my 2nd session.

No jacks needed, as this was in a front tire, so I could turn the steering wheel & position it to work on without having to take the wheel off. If it was on the rear, it would have been a little more of a pain, but I still could have fixed it with the wheel on the car. I always carry a plug kit because I don't trust the Slime stuff, that's usually a problem, & I've never had a problem with any plug I've done. The only time I would try the Slime is in the event of a sidewall problem.

BTW, I learned that the compressor will inflate much more quickly if the engine is running(uh,the alternator keeps the voltage up) .

 

speaking of the slime, how is the tire sealant that comes with the z06? I have it in my car, it and the pump look unused. Hopefully i wont have to use it, but i was wondering if it was good or if i would be better with something else. Thanks bryan

 

Where did you buy your plug kit ?
Are there any advantages of one over the other (i.e., better tool, better glue, etc.)?
What do you recommend ?
Thanks

 

I carry a nice little air pump from sears $30 and a 2-diff plug kits from Auto parts store. I did replace the plug tool from kit and bought a good one from sears (crappy little ones in kits suck). A small scissor jack from an import. Also, air pump doubles at strip for airing up after runs.

 

I got mine at AutoZone a while back. It was a "little more", around $10.
I like it because it has two "pistol grip" tools, one to clean the hole, one to insert the plug.
If you've ever used the "straight screwdriver handle" plug tool, you'll know why the pistol grip is "good".
They also claim "Extra Strong Tire Repair Strings". Who knows ?
It's the "Slime Deluxe" #2040-A 11 piece Tire Plug Kit on a green card.
No, it doesn't have any inflator slime that repair guys properly hate.

I copied the following from some earlier thread in my tech tips file. I was just too lazy to hunt for this,
but it sounds really good. Maybe I'll check the local motocycle/ATV dealers.

"It is made for ATV's It has all the tools to make a temporary repair and two co 2 cartridges to inflate the tire.
It is made by TECH tire repair and is the 885 ATV KIT."

 

Thanks for the info. I'll have to pick one up before I begin my pilgrimage to BG this summer

 

What's wrong with just placing an additional tire (front or back) in the trunk along with hockey pucks....cover it up real nice so it looks good. Then if you have a flat call AAA to change the tire then drive to a Chevy Dealer or other reliable tire store and either have the flat one fixed or buy a new tire ( or would I have to buy all four?). I realize one could end up with the wrong sized tire on the front or back depending on which one went flat but you could still drive the car right? Would it be damaged in any way? Other problems?

 

Its been stated that the new GTO spare will work and would fit in the rear well and there is a pic with it on a corvette on a lift. To my knowledge, no one has come forward stating they have actually driven their car with the GTO spare on it.

 

This one looks good

http://www.safetyseal.com/store/autokits.htm

 

 

 

 

Went to the AutoZone and got a cheap repair kit with "pistol grip" handle for the insertion tool (yes, much better) and a screwdriver handle for the rasp. I trimmed a bit off of the pistol grip tool handle and it and all of the kit contents (rasp, glue and plug strips) fit into the GM Z06 kit along with a pair of pliers (to yank a nail out if I have to) and a small screwdriver. I buttoned up the kit and now feel a lot safer on the road. I have seen the "slime" work, but I like the idea of a plug a lot better.

The real problem is that if you sense a low tire you really need to stop quickly. As you noticed, you really won't feel it until it is really low, and if you don't get stopped pretty quickly, you are going to cut the sidewall with the rim, and no plug, goop or patch is going to help that... I like the idea of pressue sensors, at least that would give you a warning so that you can get it stopped and plug or goop it and not cut down the tire.