Thin spoke cracking poll. Please join in.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 108
From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
Thin spoke cracking poll. Please join in.
Trying to get a handle on which thin spoke wheels are developing cracks. Please vote for the appropriate date of manufacture and manufacturer if you have one or more with cracks. This info is found on back of one of the spokes. I am assuming that the ones that just say GM are made by Alcoa. If this is incorrect, I will make a change. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
My high polish thinspokes were replaced under warranty by my GMPP before I knew there were identifying markers on them, so I cannot participate in this poll.
Does anyone know if date of manufacture for the car itself might have any bearing on what wheels were fitted? Mine was "born" on 9/8/01, I believe.
Does anyone know if date of manufacture for the car itself might have any bearing on what wheels were fitted? Mine was "born" on 9/8/01, I believe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 2
From: MCO
When I discovered my left rear wheel cracked, my 2001 Vette was 1 yr. and 4 months, and 3,000 miles over warranty. Dealer said NO GO.
So I replaced it .... for only $403.07 incl. shipping.
(this is with no curb rash, potholes, tire mounting damage, etc. --- just plain old faulty materials, just like the fuel gage sensor... oh wait, that was poor design.)
So I replaced it .... for only $403.07 incl. shipping.
(this is with no curb rash, potholes, tire mounting damage, etc. --- just plain old faulty materials, just like the fuel gage sensor... oh wait, that was poor design.)
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
My coupe was born on 5/30/01. I found both of the rear wheels cracked on 2/26/06 with about 55K miles on them. One was made in 01/00 and the other was 01/01, both are Alcoa. I've hit as many potholes as the next guy, but nothing excessive.
Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3
I'm currently waiting for my 4 new
to get here 
Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3
I'm currently waiting for my 4 new
to get here
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 270
Likes: 58
From: Owego NY
WOW, I could post the pictures of my wheel... But you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between it an the others posted here..... 
I see so far, I am in the winning group... Or is that the loosing group. In any case the voting has just begun, and I am in a GROUP.
I hope this helps someone. But I still have some of my original wheels also... Hopefully no more cracks for me.
I see so far, I am in the winning group... Or is that the loosing group. In any case the voting has just begun, and I am in a GROUP.
I hope this helps someone. But I still have some of my original wheels also... Hopefully no more cracks for me.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
How do you decipher the information on the wheel? On my wheels there appears to be two sets of numbers that could be "born on dates"
Here's the data from one of my high polished wheels.
GM
V A
010202
1AA
9593797
17 x 8.5 J58
USA AWPV
G135
HT 010502 B
Whats the breakdown for all this information, ie. manufacturer, build date, etc.
thanks
Here's the data from one of my high polished wheels.
GM
V A
010202
1AA
9593797
17 x 8.5 J58
USA AWPV
G135
HT 010502 B
Whats the breakdown for all this information, ie. manufacturer, build date, etc.
thanks
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 108
From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
Originally Posted by MAC5
How do you decipher the information on the wheel? On my wheels there appears to be two sets of numbers that could be "born on dates"
Here's the data from one of my high polished wheels.
GM
V A
010202
1AA
9593797
17 x 8.5 J58
USA AWPV
G135
HT 010502 B
Whats the breakdown for all this information, ie. manufacturer, build date, etc.
thanks
Here's the data from one of my high polished wheels.
GM
V A
010202
1AA
9593797
17 x 8.5 J58
USA AWPV
G135
HT 010502 B
Whats the breakdown for all this information, ie. manufacturer, build date, etc.
thanks
GM means Alcoa made it.
It was made on 01-02-2002.
The 01-05-2002 is a quality check or a polish date.
17 X 8.5 is wheel size.
9593797 is model number of front thin spoke wheel.
9593799 is model number of rear thin spoke wheel.
USA is country of manufacture, required by law since, I think, 1927.
No idea for the rest.
Now, someone please let me know how much of this is correct.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 2
From: MCO
The 9593797 and 9593799 are actually "casting" numbers. The rear wheel GM part number is 9594011, for example.
I'm pretty certain you got the 010502 B correct as a quality check. When I worked in turbine manufacturing, that was called a "heat" number. It usually referred to a specific batch of castings.
I'm pretty certain you got the 010502 B correct as a quality check. When I worked in turbine manufacturing, that was called a "heat" number. It usually referred to a specific batch of castings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 7
From: queens Newyork
I dont know what the back of the wheel of mine says its an o2 with the polished wheels i have a stress crack thats spreading on my rear driver side the car is out of factory warranty, Im fighting with gm now the car only has 12k and i dont abuse the car the tires are still orig and in perfect shape, ive called gm at least 10 times and i wont stop complaning till they replace that wheel, The dealers i went to mostly are a$$hole$ one gm manager told me it looks like a scratch in the wheel, and that its not a crack I told gm that guy must drive a minivan and that his wife drops him off at work, and he wouldnt know a crack if it hit him in the face, Im on call like 15, i found one really nice manager at a dealer and he agreed it was a stress crack I have an apt next week to meet with a gm rep.. BTW GM told me they have never heard of these wheels cracking???????SO lets let them know we are angry that our 50k$ cars wheels are cracking CALL GM AND TELL THEM 866-932-4368 thats the gm # everyone call and tell them your wheels are cracked and that its a factory defect>>>>>.And we want them replaced pm me and let me know if it went ok my apt is next week ill keep u all posted
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 108
From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
Originally Posted by o2z51
I dont know what the back of the wheel of mine says its an o2 with the polished wheels i have a stress crack thats spreading on my rear driver side the car is out of factory warranty, Im fighting with gm now the car only has 12k and i dont abuse the car the tires are still orig and in perfect shape, ive called gm at least 10 times and i wont stop complaning till they replace that wheel, The dealers i went to mostly are a$$hole$ one gm manager told me it looks like a scratch in the wheel, and that its not a crack I told gm that guy must drive a minivan and that his wife drops him off at work, and he wouldnt know a crack if it hit him in the face, Im on call like 15, i found one really nice manager at a dealer and he agreed it was a stress crack I have an apt next week to meet with a gm rep.. BTW GM told me they have never heard of these wheels cracking???????SO lets let them know we are angry that our 50k$ cars wheels are cracking CALL GM AND TELL THEM 866-932-4368 thats the gm # everyone call and tell them your wheels are cracked and that its a factory defect>>>>>.And we want them replaced pm me and let me know if it went ok my apt is next week ill keep u all posted
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 999
Likes: 9
From: Floyds Knobs Indiana
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&forum_id=103
might want to join and help this guy out. i have no way of getting pics but i am working on it.
might want to join and help this guy out. i have no way of getting pics but i am working on it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I posted mine. The dealer told me that they thought whoever put my tires on caused it. But I know the day it happened and it was weeks after I got new tires. I washed the car on Saturday, no crack. I wash the barrels of my wheels when I wash the car so I pay particular attention to the wheels. I then did some spirited driving (not drag racing and nothing illegal), and it rained during my trip. Therefore I washed the car the next day and the crack was magically there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Originally Posted by Joe_G
I posted mine. The dealer told me that they thought whoever put my tires on caused it.
He put me in touch with his service manager to discuss, and the manager told me that this could be an excuse my local dealer might come back with as a reason to deny my claim. Fortunately, my local dealer did not challenge me on it and actually pushed GM warranty on my behalf to replace the rims.
I had prepared for battle though, and had gone to the tire store that had recently fitted replacement rubber to the rear wheels for their assessment and they assured me that in no way did their equipment or methods cause the damage.
Knowing this, I was prepared to ask my dealer to come up with other examples of cracked rims that had been reported by other C5 customers of this tire store. But again, that wasn't necessary in my case.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 2
From: MCO
Reply from NHTSA
Hmmmm.... some of you didn't contact the NHTSA. I received this reply from the NHTSA after sending my cracked wheel to them for examination:
Currently there are 9 reports of wheels cracking involving model years 2001 and 2002 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles in our database. However, available data indicates that the cracks are minor and that there no reports of a driver losing control of the vehicle due to crack wheels. Thus, there does not appear to be a safety-related consequence associated with this problem. Under these circumstances, there is insufficient evidence to warrant opening a safety defect investigation at this time. The information you have provided has been entered into our database. We will continue to monitor this issue and will take farther action as necessary.
Currently there are 9 reports of wheels cracking involving model years 2001 and 2002 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles in our database. However, available data indicates that the cracks are minor and that there no reports of a driver losing control of the vehicle due to crack wheels. Thus, there does not appear to be a safety-related consequence associated with this problem. Under these circumstances, there is insufficient evidence to warrant opening a safety defect investigation at this time. The information you have provided has been entered into our database. We will continue to monitor this issue and will take farther action as necessary.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Clearwater FL
Here's a strange...
Been following this poll very carefully and finally looked at the s/n's on my '01 polished thin-spokes. First of all the car was born 04/01 but the wheels have a born on date of 08/11/99. No FIFO (First In First Out)system here folks but rather FISH (First In Stays Here).
The best news from my end is that I have no cracks inside or out.
I wouldn't hold my breath that GM will do thing number one about this one. Today, they had a recall of a bunch of trucks for a faulty brake light switch.
Nobody sweats the recalls like GM.
Deacon
The best news from my end is that I have no cracks inside or out.
I wouldn't hold my breath that GM will do thing number one about this one. Today, they had a recall of a bunch of trucks for a faulty brake light switch.
Nobody sweats the recalls like GM.
Deacon