Flat spots in tires...
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Flat spots in tires...
I switched wheels over from my convertible Camaro which was sitting all winter and a good portion of the spring. Apparently, the sitting threw the tires out of wack and there are "flat spots" in the tires that make them a little wobbly. I took them to get balanced today and the tire tech showed me that they were off when they were spinning on the balancer. He proceeded to balance them and they feel better. He claimed, however, that they will have permanent flat spots in them.
How can this be avoided or at least minimized? Do those tire cradle things work? Jackstands?
How can this be avoided or at least minimized? Do those tire cradle things work? Jackstands?
Drifting
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From: Baton Rouge LA
I agree with 87SAM. I have a ZR 1 that has sat in one spot for as much as several months, and my 63 sat for very long periods, and in both cases there was no problem, or the problem went away after some driving to warm up and flex the tires. Assuming that the tires, regardless of brand are at least OEM quality for the Corvette, I cannot imagine that your service guy was correct. I have heard this discussed many times, and never has anyone suggested that is was permanent. Obviously there could be some exceptional circumstances, but your description did not mention any. Try to drive the car enough to really warm the tires up, and then some. I say you will be fine. By the way, in a non ABS car, locked up braking will flat spot a tire permanently, but I assume that is not your case?
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I've been storing cars for the winter since the mid 70s. I generally won't put them on stands for two reasons: 1) the suspension hang or frame twist deal; 2) in case of an emergency, it's easier to move the car if it's already on the ground.
I pump the tires to 40 lbs. and put a couple of pieces of cut up rug squares under each tire.
I pump the tires to 40 lbs. and put a couple of pieces of cut up rug squares under each tire.
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From: St Louis MO
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I usually put the cars on jackstands over the winter,but I place the jackstands under the A-arms and rear suspension so the suspension isn't hanging and it is compressed like it was sitting on the ground.
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Ed
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When I first got my C-5, I wasn't in that position, so I spoke with a GoodYear service rep who told me that 40-45 lbs. of air pressure would help alleviate the flat spots during winter.
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
The next time you store them there are two things to minimze flat spots...
1. pump up the tires to the side wall maximum...just remember to drop the pressure to 30psi when you put it back on the road!
2. go buy a sheet of colored extruded styrofoam board from HomeDepot/Lowes. Buy the mre expesnive ( higher R value, more dense) variant Get it about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Cut the board into 4 pieces jack the car and put one piece under each tire.
The foam board will deform to match the exact shape of the tire and spread the weight over a much larger surface area. This is the smart mans' home made version of the expensve tire cradles.
1. pump up the tires to the side wall maximum...just remember to drop the pressure to 30psi when you put it back on the road!
2. go buy a sheet of colored extruded styrofoam board from HomeDepot/Lowes. Buy the mre expesnive ( higher R value, more dense) variant Get it about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Cut the board into 4 pieces jack the car and put one piece under each tire.
The foam board will deform to match the exact shape of the tire and spread the weight over a much larger surface area. This is the smart mans' home made version of the expensve tire cradles.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Western NY
....go buy a sheet of colored extruded styrofoam board from HomeDepot/Lowes. Buy the mre expesnive ( higher R value, more dense) variant Get it about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Cut the board into 4 pieces jack the car and put one piece under each tire.
The foam board will deform to match the exact shape of the tire and spread the weight over a much larger surface area. This is the smart mans' home made version of the expensve tire cradles.
The foam board will deform to match the exact shape of the tire and spread the weight over a much larger surface area. This is the smart mans' home made version of the expensve tire cradles.
Why not just bevel the ends at a 45 degree angle,so you can simply drive the car on them?
Drifting
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From: Atlanta GA from Boston MA
I've been storing cars for the winter since the mid 70s. I generally won't put them on stands for two reasons: 1) the suspension hang or frame twist deal; 2) in case of an emergency, it's easier to move the car if it's already on the ground.
I pump the tires to 40 lbs. and put a couple of pieces of cut up rug squares under each tire.
I pump the tires to 40 lbs. and put a couple of pieces of cut up rug squares under each tire.
I have had flat spots in other car tires and they disappeared after I ran the car for 10-15 minutes.
Racer
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I'm with you.....I have 1/4 inch plywood down under two cars in the garage and I use old carpet under the Corvette tires if I dont drive it for 4+ weeks. Helps to soften the effect of the concrete floor.
I have had flat spots in other car tires and they disappeared after I ran the car for 10-15 minutes.
I have had flat spots in other car tires and they disappeared after I ran the car for 10-15 minutes.
