I知 done driving until Spring!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 282
From: Back in Nebraska
I知 done driving until Spring!!!!
Yesterday was a beautiful day for winter, 55 degrees and sunny. My wife and I decided to take a cruise in our new Stingray. We have had a little more snow than normal here in north Arkansas and they put down sand and very small smashed rock on the streets and highways. It hasn稚 snowed a few weeks so I thought that it would be safe. We had a wonderful time and the car handled great. I did notice throughout the cruise the sound of sand being picked up and flying around in the wheel wells. The tires on our Z51 are very soft and pick up every little thing.
Well, today I washed the car and during the drying I noticed the pitting behind the rear wheels. I was sick. As you can see in the photos, the pitting and the small rocks embedded in the tires. I知 seriously thinking of selling these tires and getting something with harder rubber. I also wish that Chevy would sell a splash guard with a small projection behind the tires to protect the finish.
I am finished for the day but tomorrow I am going to wash it again and put on a thick coat of wax. Then, cover on, battery tender attached and say goodbye till Spring. I知 bummed!
Well, today I washed the car and during the drying I noticed the pitting behind the rear wheels. I was sick. As you can see in the photos, the pitting and the small rocks embedded in the tires. I知 seriously thinking of selling these tires and getting something with harder rubber. I also wish that Chevy would sell a splash guard with a small projection behind the tires to protect the finish.
I am finished for the day but tomorrow I am going to wash it again and put on a thick coat of wax. Then, cover on, battery tender attached and say goodbye till Spring. I知 bummed!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 7
From: Malverne New York
That's the way it goes in the winter. Exactly why I would never drive my Vette in the winter. Unless we had a few weeks of unseasonably warm weather and plenty of rain to wash the streets free of any remaining salt.
God, I hate winter….
God, I hate winter….
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
Sad, very sad.
That must be some serious road sand to leave marks like that.
We have nothing like that around here - mostly just salt, and a really good rain or two clears that away. Not that I drive min in winter anyhow.
That must be some serious road sand to leave marks like that.
We have nothing like that around here - mostly just salt, and a really good rain or two clears that away. Not that I drive min in winter anyhow.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Might as well drive it now, have body shop touch up abrasion in spring. I drive my car in winter and have never experienced abrasion like that here in Central Pennsylvania. This year really sucks weather wise, I still have driven over 300 miles.
Last edited by Larry/car; Jan 19, 2014 at 03:24 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
I have a front & rear set of guards here waiting for the arrival of my C7 but of course I can't say how they fit!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 282
From: Back in Nebraska
I have the GM splash guards installed. They don't extend down, only out. Maybe one of the venders on the forum could come up with a splash guard that not only extended out for protection, but also down to prevent this kind of damage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
The tire compound utilized on the Z51 optioned Corvettes is very soft, wait until it gets really hot.
A good set of splash guards will help but the front tires will throw small rocks & sand too as most splash guards to not go up far enough.
A good set of splash guards will help but the front tires will throw small rocks & sand too as most splash guards to not go up far enough.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
The clear coat isn't very tough these days. You can actually see the tire tread channels in the road rash pattern in the paint. Sucks that clear coat can't take some abuse without something like this happening. Clear bra/ stone guard material is the only solution it seems.
What's the underside of the rocker panels look like from debris being thrown up by the front tires?
What's the underside of the rocker panels look like from debris being thrown up by the front tires?