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I had my tires done with varying highth pucks(theirs) to lift the car with their jacks. This was on my 13 G.S. with side skirts. No problem. Cannot see any difference with the C-7
We have one of the Chevy dealers in our area who is knowledgeable on Corvette tires
Not sure how well set up or trained Discount Tire is at other locations
Best to discuss their procedures before letting them do the tires.
Discount Tire did a little bit of damage to the powder coat on one of my wheels once. They said they could handle 345's!
They were cool, they paid for the cost of a powder coat repair.
So when I got it fixed, took it to a specialty shop for the PVD Black Onyx Chrome treatment (was the bro of a dude I met at the Track).
I asked if they had some special machines and equipment to ensure the wheels wouldn't get damaged, they said "Nope same stuff at Discount Tire, we're just pro's and know what to do and when to do it".
It's all up to the operator of the machine(s).
Last edited by VaydorVette1; 06-09-2018 at 08:59 AM.
Have had several types. After my concern if the dealer would use what I put in a clear plastic bag on the passenger seat, bought those below from Forum vendor, Reverse Logic.
These pucks can be used two ways. I use them when jacking the Vette by simply putting in the frame slots and removing when finished. For a trip to a dealer or tire shop they can be assembled removing the white insert and tightened in the slot before the visit and removed when I get home. They are 1 inch high and clear my side skirts. But should not be left in. The 1 inch clear my Stage 2 aero carbon fiber side skirts. They have a 1/2 inch extension you can purchase to make them 1 1/2 inch high if needed
Back in the C5 and C6 days, plenty of Chevrolet dealers cracked the rocker panels. Lots of posts made about that back then, and the number one advice given to new purchasers was "check the rocker panels before accepting delivery".
I figure I will never be able to accurately predict when I might have a flat tire, or in what one red light town it will be in, so I carry a set of jack pads(made from rubber hockey pucks and steel eyebolts) in my car all the time. I also carry a 3 pound aluminum jack that will drop to a 3 inch height just in case the dealer doesn't have a low profile jack either.
Anyone else ever been told they had to provide the jack pad pucks to get their tires changed?
I just assumed any reputable national tire installation franchise, including Costco would have all the necessary attachments for cars like ours. But my C7 is sitting there now while I wait for the jack pucks I ordered to get in to give to them because they said they cannot lift the car without them.
Just keep a set of pucks in your car and forget about it.
I like Costco a lot, but the one near me seems to be incapable of properly balancing tires. Have replaced tires on two vehicles there, in both cases the balancing was a disaster and I had to have it redone elsewhere. At least they had the common sense to not do the work and ask about the pucks, rather than just jack it up and bash it. I also worry about what they might do to the rims. I would never trust the Costco near me with my GS.
Good news, I bought some pucks, took them to Costco to use so they would not damage the car and new tires went on without damage.
Bad news...AFTER the tires were installed apparently the tech removing the lift dropped part of the assembly and gouged or scraped the driver side door.
Have not seen it yet but the manager said it was "minor, but we will cover the repair"...Ugh.
So, will body shops spot repair\repaint something like or does it basically have to have the whole door repainted when damaged?
I have priced MPSS tires at Costco for my Z06, but as it only has about 5000 miles I have some time to explore all the options. Only one or two of the tire installers are Michelin certified at my local warehouse, but they claim they can safely install these tires without rim damage. Has anyone here ever used Costco, and what was your experience?
Good news, I bought some pucks, took them to Costco to use so they would not damage the car and new tires went on without damage.
Bad news...AFTER the tires were installed apparently the tech removing the lift dropped part of the assembly and gouged or scraped the driver side door.
Have not seen it yet but the manager said it was "minor, but we will cover the repair"...Ugh.
So, will body shops spot repair\repaint something like or does it basically have to have the whole door repainted when damaged?
Maybe I was not meant to have nice things.
The body shop guys will tell you for sure, but if it is really small and minor, you probably can spot repair the color but then clear the entire door.
For those that asked about road force balancing, I suspect folks decided it's too complicated to explain here (it is). You that asked probably did as I did & simply googled it to see it in action & thoroughly explained.
I give them a bit of credit for even knowing about pucks and the need for them. However I would prefer to have the dealer do the work. They should know what they are doing at least the one I deal with does. (Van Bortel Corvette).
^^^
They may know BUT if you don't bring the pads the tech has to go get them from the parts/tool room! Mechanics have their own tools and most are not gong to spend their money to buy pads for your Vette!
I was putting mine in a clear plastic bag on the passenger seat and although I told the service writer to "be sure they were used." Would they. For the Grand sport bought Reverse Logic 1 inch high pads that can be used two ways. I use them as normal pads, instll when jacking myself.
For a trip to the dealer of tire shop I can screw them together so they are semi-permanently attached until I get the car back home.
Reverse logic pads can be taken apart The white section remove and they pad clamped into the frame slot.
^^^
The problem with the C7 and C6 and some prior Vettes if the composite body panel goes under the frame. If a jack pad presses on the composite panel it can crack. That is why the owner's Manual says use a 2 1/2 inch max diameter jack pads. See pic below.
My Experience First Time I Brought My C7 To the Dealer:
Got my C7 in October 2013. GM sent a message to have my dif fluid level checked. Brought it to the local dealer and told the service writer, as I had severl times with my C6; "There are 4 jack pads in a clear plastic bag on the passenger seat, be sure the Tech uses them!"
Knew her from the C6 and she was always very helpful and knew how I felt about my cars. She said, "Don't work I'll insist the use our drive on alignment rack (they one drive on lift have ~18 center post lifts) as we just cracked a Vette rocker panel and it's in the body shop being repaired!"
I take all my cars to Ferrari near me and they change my big wheels flawless!! 100.00 a wheel for 22”, I’ll spend the money for flawless work and not to worry about my car!!
^^^
Yep, snap in permanent jack pads work fine if you don't have side skirts and can work even with some side skirts at a dealer with a center post or side post lift if they are careful. They would not work when I jack up my car at home with a short hydraulic jack. The jack lifting arm would hit the side skirts. In fact I have some 2 inch high jack pads that I used on my 2014 with aftermarket side skirts.
06-09-2018, 08:08 AM
Tire changing Discount Tire
