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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 01:42 PM
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Default Westcoast Wheels...

Good morning,

I recently purchased replica C6 Z06 split spoke wheels from Westcoast corvette and got them installed on new F1 Goodyear tires. Then I started to feel vibration from the steering wheels and the slightly from under the seat. First I thought it was because the balancing and I took it back to discount tire to do the balancing but still I was feeling the vibration. So I decided to take it to the dealer to do the tire balance. however, it didn't work for me, so I called west coast corvette to tell them about the problem and they kept transferring me to different representatives.lastly, the man told me it is not from the wheels and discount tire is junk and I thought it might be from the tire. Discount tire got me new michelin super sport and put them on the wheels and I had 300$ back. unfortunately the vibration is still there and when I contacted west coast corvette they said that the problem is not from the wheels and they can't do anything.

In my opinion, west coast corvette sells bad quality wheels and they don't respect the customer.

what do you think I should do.
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by GS13
Good morning,

I recently purchased replica C6 Z06 split spoke wheels from Westcoast corvette and got them installed on new F1 Goodyear tires. Then I started to feel vibration from the steering wheels and the slightly from under the seat. First I thought it was because the balancing and I took it back to discount tire to do the balancing but still I was feeling the vibration. So I decided to take it to the dealer to do the tire balance. however, it didn't work for me, so I called west coast corvette to tell them about the problem and they kept transferring me to different representatives.lastly, the man told me it is not from the wheels and discount tire is junk and I thought it might be from the tire. Discount tire got me new michelin super sport and put them on the wheels and I had 300$ back. unfortunately the vibration is still there and when I contacted west coast corvette they said that the problem is not from the wheels and they can't do anything.

In my opinion, west coast corvette sells bad quality wheels and they don't respect the customer.

what do you think I should do.
If you can somehow prove it to be the wheels, threaten a law suit if West Coast does not address the problem. And if it is indeed the wheels, then screw them and let them try to explain the reason for their denial.
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 02:36 PM
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Did you get them balanced with a Hunter Road Force Balancer? If not, then find one, and a good tech will balance it with as little weight as possible by getting the tire in the right place on the rim.
Did the tire installer say that the rim was out of round???

I had a rim out of round, and a road force balancer got it so it didn't vibrate.
I did replace the rim after a few months, just for peace of mind.

Not all tire installers have the Road Force Balancer. It's the cat's meooooooow!

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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 04:08 PM
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Are the wheels hub centric, or lug centric?


DJ
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 04:29 PM
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You mention that your vibration can be felt in the steering wheel and your seat. Usually this means it is coming from both the front and rear.

Again, I would check the hub to see it they are hub centric or is there a gap meaning the lugs do the centering of the wheels?

If you look at the weights installed, are their multiple places where they are located?

Are the rotor retaining (tinnerman) nuts removed from the studs? There are two on each hub from the factory.


DJ

Last edited by djbrun; Oct 5, 2015 at 09:15 AM.
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 06:44 PM
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It has happened before. I would not doubt that somewhere on the website there's a statement about trying all the wheels on a balancer without mounting tires, or mounting wheel and tire on the car. If you didn't do that, you're stuck. jmo. There IS a WCC rep on here. See if you can bring him in to this thread. Something like "joe" as a name at wcc.

I'm fairly certain you won't find him: here's another. Page down to WCC. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-gumby-s.html

Last edited by AORoads; Oct 4, 2015 at 06:49 PM.
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 09:18 PM
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A long time ago I was taken by Cragar over this. I didn't spin the wheels on the balancer before mounting the tires, and they would not return them.

Stuck with junk wheels, not a good feeling.

Hopefully this is not the case.

DJ
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 09:21 PM
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I feel like you've put in due diligence in proving they are the wheels causing it (multiple balancers, and multiple tires... jeez...)

unfortunately this is not uncommon for cheaper cast replica wheels. I would try to work with a manager over there and plead your case. if no success, I'd probably work with my card company or paypal on forcefully submitting a chargeback, and I'd probably share my story everywhere they have customers.
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 09:46 PM
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If the nuts have been taken off, That means that the rotors can move was the wheel is removed. A piece of debris may have fallen in between the rotor and the hub and is now crushed into place.

I would do a runout check of the rotor to wheel mounting surface. Only take a few minutes.


DJ
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 07:20 AM
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There are some clips that keep the rotor on from the factory. The OEM wheels clear these clips. Some aftermarket rims do not clear them. This has been a cause of vibration for many people here on the forums. I would check into that. Good Luck.
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 07:57 AM
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Great advice here, I've seen the suggestions above work at one time or another. Check for out of round with the wheel on the balancer, maybe the installer can align the tire's balance point to the wheel, usually a painted dot on the sidewall. Lugnuts the correct shape for this wheel? Stock ones should fit with no issues.
In the end, it still surprising to me that such a big company will not stand behind their product, especially a wheel, replacing a wheel and keeping a customer satisfied does a lot more for them. Please post any results that you get....good luck
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by billyboy47
If you can somehow prove it to be the wheels, threaten a law suit if West Coast does not address the problem. And if it is indeed the wheels, then screw them and let them try to explain the reason for their denial.
Lawsuit over this?
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 09:26 AM
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If they don't fix your problem I would go on every single forum and blast their company. Its better for business for them to send you a new wheel, not sure why they don't get that.
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by GS13
what do you think I should do.
Document everything along with copies of receipts in order of date. Have the suspect wheels examined by a tire shop who can determine if the wheel is out of round and if so, have them document this. Write a demand letter and include supporting evidence and send to the company via certified postage with a request for a new wheel(s). Labor unfortunately may be on your dime but doesn't hurt to add to demand letter.

Of course this is if it's determined the wheels are faulty. It could be something else wrong with the vehicle. They sell these for like $900 a set so their cost is likely quite low and I'm not sure why the reluctance to help you. However, it's always possible they are correct and you are wrong. No offense intended.

They have a business to run so I see their side. However, part of being in business is making sure customers are treated fairly and standing behind your product. If they fail in either capacity you indeed should make this clear on the forum (s) so people know to avoid giving them business.
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Old Oct 6, 2015 | 09:12 AM
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Have you tried putting the old wheels back on to see if the vibration disappears?

If the vibration disappears then the issue is with the wheels and tires, if not then you have another issue!
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Old Oct 6, 2015 | 02:07 PM
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OP hasn't chimed in despite other responses so perhaps it's resolved or not too important.
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Old Oct 7, 2015 | 12:46 AM
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I am not a fan of WCC at all since my recent problems with them , but a word of advice to the OP .. I would make absolutely sure the rims are the cause of your problem. Do you have a friend you can test the rims/tires on their corvette ?
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 08:26 PM
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I bought a set of their black replica wheels about 4 years ago. The finish was horrible and the rims had flaws and imperfections. I called to return them. They wanted me to pay for shipping at first. After instance they sent call tags. They would not credit my card until they inspected them. I was told by a manager at Westcoast " listen, they are $900, you get what you pay for" .
I ended up, filing a dispute with my card company to get my money refunded.
Good luck. Would never purchase from them again. To many other options out there!
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 09:12 PM
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I live about a two hour drive from WCC. I bought a set of Lloyd mats from them and they sent the correct ones for an 05 with posts. The reason I mentioned that was because I've read threads where members didn't get the correct mats for their year from other vendors. I bought a set of gloss black C7 Z51 replica wheels and drove up to pick them up. The finish is nice and they balanced with no problem. Runs as smooth as it did with the original OEM chrome wheels. A friend bought the same wheels in chrome and he doesn't have any complaints either.
We're both pretty picky but my friend is a real fanatic.
This is my first Corvette and so far I have been satisfied with their products and service. I have friends with Corvettes who have done business with them for years and have been satisfied also.

I would think that who ever balanced the OP's wheels would have noticed if they weren't running true and brought it to his attention.

Last edited by Batman75; Oct 10, 2015 at 09:17 PM.
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Old Oct 12, 2015 | 12:24 PM
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PM sent to OP.

Feel free to contact me directly and I'll do my best to get you though the process as smooth as possible. We also have CSR on staff if you guys have any specific questions.

-JOE@WCC
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