Wheel Issue
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,467
Likes: 1,149
From: Wayne Township WI
JUST had new Bridgestone Potenza Pole Positions put on my Corvette.
Before work commenced the CSR & I did a walk around the car, closely inspecting each wheel to see *&* verify none had so much as a scratch.
Then I asked he put it the service order, in writing, all 4 wheels are flawless. Can never be too careful, especially these days.
You're fortunate to be dealing with a reputable outfit willing to accept responsibility for their goof-up. Rare as hen's teeth in these times.
Before work commenced the CSR & I did a walk around the car, closely inspecting each wheel to see *&* verify none had so much as a scratch.
Then I asked he put it the service order, in writing, all 4 wheels are flawless. Can never be too careful, especially these days.
You're fortunate to be dealing with a reputable outfit willing to accept responsibility for their goof-up. Rare as hen's teeth in these times.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
Good luck Paul- Ive always heard that Discount Tire will take care of their mistakes but this is not sounding too good. You need to remember that they have insurance to cover this stuff- He is trying to cover it by some other means.
When my car was damaged by a tire installer Their insurance stepped up and paid to replace the fender and rental car.
All was good for me.
When my car was damaged by a tire installer Their insurance stepped up and paid to replace the fender and rental car.
All was good for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
My casual observation is that aftermarket wheels are on about 20% of the cars here, but they account for about 80% of the defective wheels.
There are some good aftermarkets, but how much less expensive than GM?
I would try to get some GM exchange chrome.
Whatever you choose, good luck!
And sorry you had to go through this.
There are some good aftermarkets, but how much less expensive than GM?
I would try to get some GM exchange chrome.
Whatever you choose, good luck!
And sorry you had to go through this.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,401
Likes: 52
From: Norman OK
I was hoping to hear from the installer today about my offer, but nothing so far its killing me just wait, but the wheels I would like to have are not available until about Jul so not sure what I will do.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,401
Likes: 52
From: Norman OK
Ok need some info. I am looking at these wheels but only have a picture to go on. What I am not sure of is that the silver part is not chrome rather its called "Machined Face".
What is the difference will this machined face be shiny like chrome?
I know the basic difference one is plated and one is machined but I am not sure of the difference in shine?
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/pop...ge/3569_4_.jpg
What is the difference will this machined face be shiny like chrome?
I know the basic difference one is plated and one is machined but I am not sure of the difference in shine?
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/pop...ge/3569_4_.jpg
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
What are they made of? Because mine say 356-T6, which is an aluminum spec. 356 is an aluminum alloy and T6 is a heat treating spec.
Our engine blocks are made of 319-T5 aluminum.
Our engine blocks are made of 319-T5 aluminum.
Last edited by cclive; May 10, 2011 at 08:35 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: Tampa FL
Ok need some info. I am looking at these wheels but only have a picture to go on. What I am not sure of is that the silver part is not chrome rather its called "Machined Face".
What is the difference will this machined face be shiny like chrome?
I know the basic difference one is plated and one is machined but I am not sure of the difference in shine?
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/pop...ge/3569_4_.jpg
What is the difference will this machined face be shiny like chrome?
I know the basic difference one is plated and one is machined but I am not sure of the difference in shine?
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/pop...ge/3569_4_.jpg
You can google the machine face wheels and get an idea. They were beautiful on the Mustang and if I had pulled the trigger on the 5.0 I was looking at, I would have specified the machine-face wheels. However, that's a bigger car. Not sure how they would look on a two-seater. BMW also has a machine face wheel that is very slick.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,401
Likes: 52
From: Norman OK
Don't know exactly the specifics but I can tell you that machine face sometimes describes the finish on the flat part of the spoke (the part facing out). For example, machined face wheels on new Mustang are a high-end option. The wheels are a little darker but the face of the spokes have almost a flat (not rounded) machine-finished - or brighter - look than the rest of the wheel.
You can google the machine face wheels and get an idea. They were beautiful on the Mustang and if I had pulled the trigger on the 5.0 I was looking at, I would have specified the machine-face wheels. However, that's a bigger car. Not sure how they would look on a two-seater. BMW also has a machine face wheel that is very slick.
You can google the machine face wheels and get an idea. They were beautiful on the Mustang and if I had pulled the trigger on the 5.0 I was looking at, I would have specified the machine-face wheels. However, that's a bigger car. Not sure how they would look on a two-seater. BMW also has a machine face wheel that is very slick.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I wasn't (beginning to like tampa's avatar)
. But anyway, back to the wheel you like; can't see it. Says "404 Error" meaning the url isn't working.
And btw, to my knowledge just about all the wheels made, OE and repro are aluminum. The last time I heard of "mag" as in magnesium was back in the early years of the C5.
. But anyway, back to the wheel you like; can't see it. Says "404 Error" meaning the url isn't working.And btw, to my knowledge just about all the wheels made, OE and repro are aluminum. The last time I heard of "mag" as in magnesium was back in the early years of the C5.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 32
...Or simply have them buy my Gumbys for sale for only $900 (shameless plug!)
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Sorry to maybe go off the subject, I want to but new chrome wheels for my '05 Z51, stock polished rims were damaged by original owner. I was leaning toward Gumby's but after reading this post, I see Gumby's make OEM AND replacement's, is that right? Most here say don't get the replacement's, I didn't know Gumby made OEM's, I'm confused, can someone enlighten me on this subject or point me to another thread for some info, Thanks!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,401
Likes: 52
From: Norman OK
Gumby's are just the nick name for the stock OEM wheels available in 07and on, they come in chrome, painted and matte finish. You can get replacements there are basically three types,
Orginal OEM wheels, which are a forged style wheel and cost about 5k a set
Reporduction wheels which are after maket wheels made to the same spec as the OEM wheel but are "cast" and not "forged" they come in the same types as the OEM wheels.
Re-chromed or Exchange wheels, these are usually OEM wheels that have be rechromed to repair corrosion, damage, etc. You can get these one of two ways send in your wheels have them repair and rechromed, or "exchange" buy a set of rechromed wheels pay a core change then send in your wheels and get the core charge minus and cost to repair your wheels returned to you.
Hope this helps
The there are lots of after market wheels that are not the gumby style wheels and these also come in the three major groups I listed.
Orginal OEM wheels, which are a forged style wheel and cost about 5k a set
Reporduction wheels which are after maket wheels made to the same spec as the OEM wheel but are "cast" and not "forged" they come in the same types as the OEM wheels.
Re-chromed or Exchange wheels, these are usually OEM wheels that have be rechromed to repair corrosion, damage, etc. You can get these one of two ways send in your wheels have them repair and rechromed, or "exchange" buy a set of rechromed wheels pay a core change then send in your wheels and get the core charge minus and cost to repair your wheels returned to you.
Hope this helps
The there are lots of after market wheels that are not the gumby style wheels and these also come in the three major groups I listed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 8
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Sorry to maybe go off the subject, I want to but new chrome wheels for my '05 Z51, stock polished rims were damaged by original owner. I was leaning toward Gumby's but after reading this post, I see Gumby's make OEM AND replacement's, is that right? Most here say don't get the replacement's, I didn't know Gumby made OEM's, I'm confused, can someone enlighten me on this subject or point me to another thread for some info, Thanks!
They were offered in a polished finish w/clearcoat & then in chrome. Never painted. They were the only forged OEM wheel GM offered, only for the C6 Coupe and Vert. Not even the Z06 or ZR1 has an available forged OEM wheel choice. Strange.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Thanks for the response, guys, so a Gumby is not a manufacturer, it's a nick name, the OEM wheels okie referred to ($5K) are the stock wheels that come with a new car, I guess I want reproduction (cast) wheels, what are the disadvantages over the OEM wheels, weight, finish quality, anything else? Would the website selling the wheels list them as reproduction's or cast wheels? Thanks again, I'm not as dumb as I might sound, just totally uneducated when it comes to this stuff, :-) And to Harley, your wheel is the stock wheel that came from GM, right? Those are the exact wheels I would want, I want the stock looking wheels but in chrome, just don't have $5K for the forged Gumby's so I'm looking for repro's (I guess)...
Last edited by RobLo; May 11, 2011 at 01:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 8
From: Dayton Ohio
These links might help...
Cast vs Forged Wheels
Chrome 5 Spoke Corvette Wheel ...also known as chrome "Gumby" wheel (RPO Code Q9V)
Polished 5 Spoke Corvette Wheel ...also known as polished "Gumby" wheel (RPO Code QX7)
Cast vs Forged Wheels
Chrome 5 Spoke Corvette Wheel ...also known as chrome "Gumby" wheel (RPO Code Q9V)
Polished 5 Spoke Corvette Wheel ...also known as polished "Gumby" wheel (RPO Code QX7)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
Thanks for the response, guys, so a Gumby is not a manufacturer, it's a nick name, the OEM wheels okie referred to ($5K) are the stock wheels that come with a new car, I guess I want reproduction (cast) wheels, what are the disadvantages over the OEM wheels, weight, finish quality, anything else? Would the website selling the wheels list them as reproduction's or cast wheels? Thanks again, I'm not as dumb as I might sound, just totally uneducated when it comes to this stuff, :-) And to Harley, your wheel is the stock wheel that came from GM, right? Those are the exact wheels I would want, I want the stock looking wheels but in chrome, just don't have $5K for the forged Gumby's so I'm looking for repro's (I guess)...
And this is why the nickname is Gumby:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
I would definitely consider them except for the part about the paint removal, don't know if that's better or worse, especially when it comes to keeping them clean, I have enough problems with keeping brake dust off of them but that's probably a post for a different day.....Top Fuel does sound like an honest and meticulous guy....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,401
Likes: 52
From: Norman OK
I would definitely consider them except for the part about the paint removal, don't know if that's better or worse, especially when it comes to keeping them clean, I have enough problems with keeping brake dust off of them but that's probably a post for a different day.....Top Fuel does sound like an honest and meticulous guy....
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/pop...ge/3569_4_.jpg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
You may want to check out WCC's chrome wheel exchange. Turn in your wheels and get a set of genuine GM wheels that have been aftermarket chromed. Excellent quality in my experience. Good luck.
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-1...8x8519x10.aspx
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-1...8x8519x10.aspx