Broken Z06 wheel
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 178
Likes: 22
From: San Leandro CA
Broken Z06 wheel
It happened about a month ago at Thunderhill race track. I was there with a group, taking turns driving on the track for about 30 min at a time. I didn't post this earlier because I was waiting to see how things turned out at the dealer. They finally did replace the wheel under warranty. There seems to be a lot of confusion about warranty issues when driving (not racing or competing) on a race track in a safe, legal manner. The manager even alluded to someone telling a different dealer about my broken wheel which occurred "at the races."
I was turning (Turn 7) at around 75 mph when I felt a vibration. It was subtle and I first attributed it to the section of the track. After the next turn at 95 mph the vibration became more obvious. I slowed and limped back to the pits. At first I thought a lug nut was loose. I checked the front wheels and didn't even notice the spokes at first. Three transverse brakes near the outer rim. I never hit a burm or went off the track – no “trauma” to the wheel other than severe g-forces.
Anyway, it freaked me out pretty good – imagine if the cracking continued and the wheel fell apart.
Anyone ever hear of this happening? My guess is a manufacturers defect which lead to fatigue fractures. It’s particularly disturbing as I had always heard good things about the strength of these wheels.
Pete
I couldn't post pics here but put the following link in for another forum where I was able to post pics.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...threadid=19042
Well that didn't work - can anyone help me post the pics?
[Modified by Dr. Z, 11:51 AM 7/25/2002]
I was turning (Turn 7) at around 75 mph when I felt a vibration. It was subtle and I first attributed it to the section of the track. After the next turn at 95 mph the vibration became more obvious. I slowed and limped back to the pits. At first I thought a lug nut was loose. I checked the front wheels and didn't even notice the spokes at first. Three transverse brakes near the outer rim. I never hit a burm or went off the track – no “trauma” to the wheel other than severe g-forces.
Anyway, it freaked me out pretty good – imagine if the cracking continued and the wheel fell apart.
Anyone ever hear of this happening? My guess is a manufacturers defect which lead to fatigue fractures. It’s particularly disturbing as I had always heard good things about the strength of these wheels.
Pete
I couldn't post pics here but put the following link in for another forum where I was able to post pics.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...threadid=19042
Well that didn't work - can anyone help me post the pics?
[Modified by Dr. Z, 11:51 AM 7/25/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,541
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From: Chicago
Re: Broken Z06 wheel (NassyVette)
The problem is that corvetteforum automatically replaces competitors website names with corvetteforum. So anyone wanting to see the pics, coy the adress and past it in your browser and replace 'corvetteforum' with 'zo6 vette' without the space between zo6 and vette.
[Modified by NassyVette, 12:03 PM 7/25/2002]
[Modified by NassyVette, 12:03 PM 7/25/2002]
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Re: Broken Z06 wheel (Dr. Z)
You are very lucky that the wheel held together. Glad no other damage was done, to either you or the car. I would bill Chevy for a new set of briefs and seat covers after this experience. :eek:
