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Proper maintenance wasn't done. Pretty sure they won't honor it under warranty
Originally Posted by Pisswilly
Just drive er, nothing you can do.
I was cleaning my 2014 Z51 black wheels every 100 to 200 miles to avoid pitting my black wheels. I don't believe that is "proper maintenance!" I finally got smart after 6 months and bought Carbotech 1521 ceramic pads. 85% less dust and what dust is there did not pit my wheels.
Was no question, installed ceramic pads when I got my Grand Sport home. Had them ready! In 15 months I wash them only when I wash the car and no pitting!
I purchased the car with 9k on it and the damage was already done. Since my ownership they haven’nt gotten any worse, but warranty will be coming up soon it’s a 16.
I’ve read where guys received chrome wheel replacements due to pitting and wondered if this was a reasonable complaint.
Last edited by dcarr; 08-19-2018 at 08:46 PM.
Reason: spelling
I purchased the car with 9k on it and the damage was already done. Since my ownership they haven’nt gotten any worse, but warranty will be coming up soon it’s a 16.
I’ve read were guys received chrome wheel replacements due to pitting and wondered if this was a reasonable complaint.
Since the car was used, its most likely "AS IS" for anything cosmetic. Dealer may try for you, but be prepared for a no.
I had pitting on my wheels as well. But mine were from poor prep and application since the previous owner spraybombed the factory wheel. I purchased a set of the same Z51 wheels that were powder coated for a quick swap. Did it this way so I wouldn't have to take mine off, put the car on jack stands and wait for the wheels to be coated. Powder Coat is better looking and will last!
I still had the old set powder coated too. I figure that if anything happened (curb / pothole damage) I have the replacement on hand to swap, without having to be down while the damaged wheel is repaired.
i hear you guys, I’ll have them powder coat at some time soon, it’s just a shame the oem pads caused the problem.
In fairness to GM, the Z51, Grand Sport and Z06 can be driven right to the Track. The base car brake pads are fine, no significant dust.
I just posted some info I had not considered prior to installing Carbotech 1521 ceramic Street only very low dust pads. Carbotech makes racing pads for over 60 brands of high performance cars and race cars. Of the 8 compounds listed only the Carbotech 1521 pads are very low dust but are restricted to Street use. The other 7 compounds say, 'NOT recommended for use as a daily driven street pad due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise." Some also add: "along with the necessary heat required to work properly." All but the 1521 pads have an operating temperature range that requires them to be warm to stop well, with max operating temp to around 1500F or higher.
I had tried Chinese Power Stop Z26 ceramic pads because they were so cheap. They show a max operating temp of 1500F but don't say the minimum operating temperature. The Carbotech 1521 pads say they stop well from ambient to 800 or 900F. IMO that is why I (and others) have found performance issues with cold PowerStop Z26 pads and in my case removed them after trying for 900 miles and replaced with 1521s.
Unfortunately brake pad composition is a compromise and GM selected ones that stop well for up to moderate Tracking BUT create dust.
Last edited by JerryU; 08-20-2018 at 11:18 AM.
Reason: U
Yep you can- I foolishly was cleaning my wheels ever 100 to 200 miles or the brake dust not only looked bad it was pitting my black wheels.
Finally got smart and installed Carbotech 1521 Street Pads. 85% less dust and most important, what little dust is there will NOT pit the wheels. I only washed the wheels when I washed the car and with the same soap. The pads stop as good as the OEM once warm and IMO better with cold pads.
C7 Brembo brake pads are designed like a race car, very easy to change. Two pins hold the pads in place no need to remove the calipers. The two pins just push out, no threads or nuts!
I’ll be changing them out shortly
The stopping power is awesome, the cleaning is insane for street use.
ill let you guys know what my dealer says, but still wondering if anyone were has made the pitting complaint to their dealer.
In fairness to GM, the Z51, Grand Sport and Z06 can be driven right to the Track. The base car brake pads are fine, no significant dust.
I just posted some info I had not considered prior to installing Carbotech 1521 ceramic Street only very low dust pads. Carbotech makes racing pads for over 60 brands of high performance cars and race cars. Of the 8 compounds listed only the Carbotech 1521 pads are very low dust but are restricted to Street use. The other 7 compounds say, 'NOT recommended for use as a daily driven street pad due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise." Some also add: "along with the necessary heat required to work properly." All but the 1521 pads have an operating temperature range that requires them to be warm to stop well, with max operating temp to around 1500F or higher.
I had tried Chinese Power Stop Z26 ceramic pads because they were so cheap. They show a max operating temp of 1500F but don't say the minimum operating temperature. The Carbotech 1521 pads say they stop well from ambient to 800 or 900F. IMO that is why I (and others) have found performance issues with cold PowerStop Z26 pads and in my case removed them after trying for 900 miles and replaced with 1521s.
Unfortunately brake pad composition is a compromise and GM selected ones that stop well for up to moderate Tracking BUT create dust.
With the Carbotech 1521 pads did you have any rotor discoloration ?
I only had them on for 900 miles but when I removed them to install Carbotech 1521s I had a brown residue in the rotor slots.
It took a Dremel tool with small stainless wire brushes to get it out! Did the front side, I'm sure it's still there on the back!
This is a pic before I removed them and installed the Carbotech 1521s:
If the dealer tells you to pound sand and you don't want to be down during coating, I'd swap you my newly black powder coated Z51 wheels for your pitted ones, plus cost of powder coating ($500) and freight charges. Wheels have not been installed since coating and are just being stored at the moment.
Geographically we may be too far apart for this once freight is factored in, but I thought I'd offer. I'm in 46845
I only had them on for 900 miles but when I removed them to install Carbotech 1521s I had a brown residue in the rotor slots.
It took a Dremel tool with small stainless wire brushes to get it out! Did the front side, I'm sure it's still there on the back!
This is a pic before I removed them and installed the Carbotech 1521s:
How do your rotors look now after using Carbotech pads ? Do they have any staining ?
i hear you guys, I’ll have them powder coat at some time soon, it’s just a shame the oem pads caused the problem.
Our 2017 Z51 came with the chrome wheels, and I bought a set of the GM silver painted wheels for A/S tires.
Each set of wheels now has about 9k miles/8 months of use, and I'm really lazy about washing them. Once on a trip to Houston, a friend got down on his hands and knees in his driveway to wash my wheels because he was embarrassed to be seen with me.
The only pitting we have experienced is the sandblasting effect that slowly shows up on the leading edges of the spokes, out near the rim end, on both the painted and the chrome; just like any car.
Is the GM black paint especially sensitive to brake dust? Do some cities have air pollution that exacerbates the problem?
Happy to report my dealer is sending my wheels out to be powder coated under warranty, couldn’t be happier.
It’s Z51 2 1/2 years old with 25k on it. Carbotech pads are on order, thank you for your feedback.
Dennis
08-19-2018, 07:15 PM
I purchased a set of the same Z51 wheels that were powder coated for a quick swap. Did it this way so I wouldn't have to take mine off, put the car on jack stands and wait for the wheels to be coated. Powder Coat is better looking and will last! 
