Cracked Wagon Wheel Spoke
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
Cracked Wagon Wheel Spoke
I noticed last weekend when I washed my car (2001 Coup / 33000 miles) that my rear passenger side wheel has a cracked spoke. I called my Dealer hoping it would be covered by Major Guard and he told me I'm out of luck. Major Guard doesn't cover wheel replacement 
I would understand if this were a bent wheel or damaged from some road hazard but this is a fatigue crack in a spoke!
I know I'm not the first to have this problem.
Has anyone had any luck getting GM to step up to this?
Any suggestions for a wheel replacement?
I would understand if this were a bent wheel or damaged from some road hazard but this is a fatigue crack in a spoke!I know I'm not the first to have this problem.
Has anyone had any luck getting GM to step up to this?
Any suggestions for a wheel replacement?
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
Originally Posted by Barrier
Which wheels are these? Polished Thinspokes? Painted Thinspokes? Wagon Wheels??? Or Other?
Barrier
Barrier
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
AJay,
there have been more than a few posts on this topic. I know some have been reportedly replaced while under factory warranty...
I'd look in the C5 parts section, there are almost always polished thinspokes for sale
there have been more than a few posts on this topic. I know some have been reportedly replaced while under factory warranty...
I'd look in the C5 parts section, there are almost always polished thinspokes for sale
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Just to be clear the wagon wheels came on the C5 from 97 through 00 only. They hade spokes that were a about 3 inches wide, were painted grey and were not polished. From 00 on you could get thin spoke wheels of two different varieties with slightly different spoke widths (referred to as Y2K wheels). These wheels could be painted gray (thinner spoke-forged early and wider spoke-cast late) or be high polished (thinner spoke-forged ).
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Nov 27, 2006 at 06:19 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
Just to be clear the wagon wheels came on the C5 from 97 through 00 only. They hade spokes that were a about 3 inches wide, were painted grey and were not polished. From 00 on you could get thin spoke wheels of two different varieties with slightly different spoke widths (referred to as Y2K wheels). These wheels could be painted gray (thinner spoke-forged early and wider spoke-cast late) or be high polished (thinner spoke-forged ).
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
Bill
I guess I don't have the wagon wheels. My car is a 2001 and I have thin spoke high polished alum wheels with the clear coat.
I like your idea about writing to GM. Thanks for the advise.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
Cracked Polished Aluminum Thin Spoke
Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
Just to be clear the wagon wheels came on the C5 from 97 through 00 only. They hade spokes that were a about 3 inches wide, were painted grey and were not polished. From 00 on you could get thin spoke wheels of two different varieties with slightly different spoke widths (referred to as Y2K wheels). These wheels could be painted gray (thinner spoke-forged early and wider spoke-cast late) or be high polished (thinner spoke-forged ).
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
To all:
I hope I'm not being too optimistic with this post but here goes:
I contacted two dealerships by phone, took my car to the local dealer, spent over an hour on the phone with GM Customer Service and GM Major Guard and here's what I learned. Major Guard won't cover wheel replacement for minor defects like chipped clear coat and the like so they automatically deny ALL claims called in by dealerships, HOWEVER they WILL cover structural defects in wheels and this requires a bit of extra initiative on the part of the dealer to call in and speak to a Major Guard representative instead of just punching a code into the computer and waiting for a response. As of today, I have a verbal assurance from Major Guard that they will cover my wheel replacement and my dealer is confirming.
I'll post again with further updates.
Last edited by AJay; Dec 1, 2006 at 03:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I was involved in a different thread involving cracks in thin spoke polished rims after discovering that both of my '02 rear wheels each had a hairline crack in one of the spokes. My local dealer was terrific, went to bat for me with GMPP warranty and both rear wheels were replaced under warranty at no charge. 
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Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
Wish I had the same dealer experience 
I will say this. GMPP have been great to deal with. Very prompt, polite and responsive. It's funny, the GMPP booklet even instructs owners to call them directly if we don't feel satisfied. For good reason!
My dealer was supposed to call be back yesterday afternoon and I never heard from him so I'll be bugging him again on Monday.
I will say this. GMPP have been great to deal with. Very prompt, polite and responsive. It's funny, the GMPP booklet even instructs owners to call them directly if we don't feel satisfied. For good reason!
My dealer was supposed to call be back yesterday afternoon and I never heard from him so I'll be bugging him again on Monday.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
Just to be clear the wagon wheels came on the C5 from 97 through 00 only.
2000 is the forged Speedline wheel, actually the painted wheel for '00 is the same as the polished wheels offered from '00-'04
you can notice the thicker lip and different shaped spokes, this is a 'one year wheel' for the painted version in 2000
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by AJay
To all:
I hope I'm not being too optimistic with this post but here goes:
I contacted two dealerships by phone, took my car to the local dealer, spent over an hour on the phone with GM Customer Service and GM Major Guard and here's what I learned. Major Guard won't cover wheel replacement for minor defects like chipped clear coat and the like so they automatically deny ALL claims called in by dealerships, HOWEVER they WILL cover structural defects in wheels and this requires a bit of extra initiative on the part of the dealer to call in and speak to a Major Guard representative instead of just punching a code into the computer and waiting for a response. As of today, I have a verbal assurance from Major Guard that they will cover my wheel replacement and my dealer is confirming.
I'll post again with further updates.
I hope I'm not being too optimistic with this post but here goes:
I contacted two dealerships by phone, took my car to the local dealer, spent over an hour on the phone with GM Customer Service and GM Major Guard and here's what I learned. Major Guard won't cover wheel replacement for minor defects like chipped clear coat and the like so they automatically deny ALL claims called in by dealerships, HOWEVER they WILL cover structural defects in wheels and this requires a bit of extra initiative on the part of the dealer to call in and speak to a Major Guard representative instead of just punching a code into the computer and waiting for a response. As of today, I have a verbal assurance from Major Guard that they will cover my wheel replacement and my dealer is confirming.
I'll post again with further updates.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 551
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From: Morgantown WV
Nothing yet
I called my dealer again this morning and he still hadn't gone back to GMPP with the final request. I intend to bug him daily until this is resolved.
Will keep ya'all advised.
I called my dealer again this morning and he still hadn't gone back to GMPP with the final request. I intend to bug him daily until this is resolved.
Will keep ya'all advised.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 19
From: Morgantown WV
Nothing yet
I called my dealer again this morning and he still hadn't gone back to GMPP with the final request. I intend to bug him daily until this is resolved.
Will keep ya'all advised.
I called my dealer again this morning and he still hadn't gone back to GMPP with the final request. I intend to bug him daily until this is resolved.
Will keep ya'all advised.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
Just to be clear the wagon wheels came on the C5 from 97 through 00 only. They hade spokes that were a about 3 inches wide, were painted grey and were not polished. From 00 on you could get thin spoke wheels of two different varieties with slightly different spoke widths (referred to as Y2K wheels). These wheels could be painted gray (thinner spoke-forged early and wider spoke-cast late) or be high polished (thinner spoke-forged ).
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
Which wheels do you have?
If you have the thin spoke high polish wheels you will probably have to replace all 4 wheels unless you find a used one. GM delivered cars with the thinner spoke high polish wheels installed but lately replacement high polished wheels have been the wider spoke-cast version. Hard to tell when viewed separately but very obvious when installed on the same car.
The dealer may not be able to help you much here but a letter to the President of GM may be just the thing to do. Make sure it is polite, clearly (without emotion) describes the problem and what you want GM to do to satisfy you.
Bill
*I was also confused for a second after reading the origanal thread..I was thinking..Doesn't the wagon wheels come on the 97-99's?I had made some comments on these wheels on another post, so I'm glad I wasn't talking about the wrong wheels
*That would have been quite embarrassing :o
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
Just got off the phone with my Dealer. GM is shipping him a new wheel and it will be installed later this week 
Man, am I glad I didn't take no for an answer and called GM warranty directly.
Man, am I glad I didn't take no for an answer and called GM warranty directly.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
Well, the saga continues. Now they tell me they need my car again so they can have an adjuster come in and look at it to make sure the wheel isn't damaged from a road hazard. They say that they can't order the new wheel until the adjuster sees it and they can't schedule the adjuster until they have the car. Reluctantly..I dropped my car off this afternoon but not before 1st calling and confirming with GM Major Guard. Sheesh - I hope I get it back by Christmas
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
We'll, it looks like this story will have a happy ending. I spoke with my Dealer this morning. The new wheel just came in and I'm picking my car up this afternoon. 
Once the car was in the hands of the Dealer, all GMPP wanted was a digital picture. No adjuster was involved.
Once the car was in the hands of the Dealer, all GMPP wanted was a digital picture. No adjuster was involved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
That's not only good news for you but all of us with GMPP! Thanks for keeping us informed.
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From: Morgantown WV
Final Post
We'll all's well that ends well.
The car is tucked safely back in the garage. The dealership did a spanking job. Not a scratch on the new wheel.
Couldn't be happier.
FWIW -The GMPP investment is now at break even. This plus a rear diff leak repair just about puts me even on my initial investment. And...the car is still warranted until 2008
The car is tucked safely back in the garage. The dealership did a spanking job. Not a scratch on the new wheel.
Couldn't be happier.
FWIW -The GMPP investment is now at break even. This plus a rear diff leak repair just about puts me even on my initial investment. And...the car is still warranted until 2008