Wheel & tire rant
01-25-2019, 05:55 PM
#1
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St. Jude Donor '13
Wheel & tire rant
From 2001 to 2017, we drove a C5 and two C6's, all Z51, over most of the US and Canada, accumulating over 200,000 miles. We had one flat tire (sidewall cut) from rubbing up against a sharp rock that had rolled onto the road, no other damage.
In the Spring of 2017 we bought a new Z51.
By 5k miles, we had bent one rear wheel on a protruding manhole.
By 10k miles we had ruined one AS runflat (cut the bead against the rim) on a pothole small enough we didn't even notice it.
At 20k miles today, we hit another pothole on the interstate that again cut the bead against the rim, and slightly bent two wheels. We're stuck in a motel in central Illinois in a snowstorm waiting for Discount Tires to get a replacement AS tomorrow, and they think the bent wheels won't be bad enough to cause serious vibration. Trying to get to Arizona.
In each of these situations, the mag ride was in Tour and the tires were properly inflated.
If this is what we can look forward to, it's time to ditch the C7 and go back to a C6 with the higher profile tires and whatever else seems to protect them from damage. I know the GS has a lot of bent wheel problems, but hadn't heard much about the Z51.
How are everyone else's Z51 wheels and tires holding up?
Grrrr….
In the Spring of 2017 we bought a new Z51.
By 5k miles, we had bent one rear wheel on a protruding manhole.
By 10k miles we had ruined one AS runflat (cut the bead against the rim) on a pothole small enough we didn't even notice it.
At 20k miles today, we hit another pothole on the interstate that again cut the bead against the rim, and slightly bent two wheels. We're stuck in a motel in central Illinois in a snowstorm waiting for Discount Tires to get a replacement AS tomorrow, and they think the bent wheels won't be bad enough to cause serious vibration. Trying to get to Arizona.
In each of these situations, the mag ride was in Tour and the tires were properly inflated.
If this is what we can look forward to, it's time to ditch the C7 and go back to a C6 with the higher profile tires and whatever else seems to protect them from damage. I know the GS has a lot of bent wheel problems, but hadn't heard much about the Z51.
How are everyone else's Z51 wheels and tires holding up?
Grrrr….
01-25-2019, 06:30 PM
#2
Racer
Sorry to hear about your issues. I haven't seen any other threads about the Z51/Stingray wheels bending. Exclusively the larger width wheels of the GS/Z06 that I've read about. I've got a Z51 and so far so good. Wishing you all the best with the rest of your trip!
01-25-2019, 06:42 PM
#3
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
My '14 Z51 did 52K miles, cross country on some of the shittiest roads out there (ever been on Route 66?), with not a single tire/wheel problem, right up until I sold it last August
Last edited by KenHorse; 01-25-2019 at 06:42 PM.
01-25-2019, 08:51 PM
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Sorry to hear this, Jim. Hope the trip gets better. Am glad the Discount Tire guys are looking out for you and I hope their advice is spot on. Keep us posted.
01-25-2019, 08:52 PM
#5
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Sorry to hear about your bad luck Jim. But, as we know chit does happen, and as my dear old Dad used to say "Sometimes it comes in bunches like banana's". Also, we know that the roads all over this beautiful country are turning to crap. Hopefully your luck will get better, and this will be the last incident. May good luck follow you the rest of your trip.
BTW, I've always had great service at our local Discount Tire, and have heard the same from others here. Glad to hear they are taking care of you.
BTW, I've always had great service at our local Discount Tire, and have heard the same from others here. Glad to hear they are taking care of you.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; 01-25-2019 at 08:54 PM.
01-25-2019, 10:40 PM
#7
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Sorry about that, certainly. But, such low profile tires provide little "room for error," where road hazards are concerned.
Who ever has this issue on their stock-tired pickup truck, even with a load of bricks?
Who ever has this issue on their stock-tired pickup truck, even with a load of bricks?
01-25-2019, 11:07 PM
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01-25-2019, 11:13 PM
#10
Race Director
My chrome wheels were flaking off at 22k miles on my 16 z51. Went to black and will see how they hold up. I was told the brake dust caused the issue. Never had that issue on my C5 or C6.
01-26-2019, 12:14 AM
#11
Safety Car
Wide, low profile, run flats aren’t going to be very forgiving. I’m downsizing to an 18/19 mostly for track duty but expecting an improvement in ride quality as well. At least the sidewalls will be more reasonable with some meat on them.
01-26-2019, 11:05 PM
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St. Jude Donor '13
Discount Tires got the new A/S runflat shipped in and installed by lunch today. Said the wheel bends are slight enough that we shouldn’t notice, and that’s true.
On the road again and almost back on schedule, but trying to figure out how to avoid yet another tire/wheel problem.
Thanks for your comments and encouragement
On the road again and almost back on schedule, but trying to figure out how to avoid yet another tire/wheel problem.
Thanks for your comments and encouragement
01-26-2019, 11:26 PM
#13
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Good to hear you're on the road again! But, if it were me, I'd replace the problem which seems to be the wheels. The condition of the roads there's not much anyone can do about them. Good luck from here on!
sorry about the misfortune op hope all gets better.
01-27-2019, 07:03 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
I’m at 30k miles on my 2015 Z51s and no bends/flats yet. Sorry to hear that, obviously very frustrating.
01-27-2019, 12:09 PM
#16
Sorry about your troubles! In my '17 GS I've hit a few frost heaves, pot holes, and expansion joints that rattled my bones and I thought for sure would bend a rim. So far, no bends or breaks. My only tire issue has been a flat from picking up a nail in one of my rear tires - fortunately I was not far from home and the flat was repairable.
01-27-2019, 12:18 PM
#17
Racer
Now that you are back on the road put that out of your mind for now and enjoy the rest of your trip. Pretty soon it will be ancient history. When you get back you can start doing homework on replacing those rims with a quality set of aftermarkets. Safe travels...
01-27-2019, 01:26 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
From 2001 to 2017, we drove a C5 and two C6's, all Z51, over most of the US and Canada, accumulating over 200,000 miles. We had one flat tire (sidewall cut) from rubbing up against a sharp rock that had rolled onto the road, no other damage.
In the Spring of 2017 we bought a new Z51.
By 5k miles, we had bent one rear wheel on a protruding manhole.
By 10k miles we had ruined one AS runflat (cut the bead against the rim) on a pothole small enough we didn't even notice it.
At 20k miles today, we hit another pothole on the interstate that again cut the bead against the rim, and slightly bent two wheels. We're stuck in a motel in central Illinois in a snowstorm waiting for Discount Tires to get a replacement AS tomorrow, and they think the bent wheels won't be bad enough to cause serious vibration. Trying to get to Arizona.
In each of these situations, the mag ride was in Tour and the tires were properly inflated.
If this is what we can look forward to, it's time to ditch the C7 and go back to a C6 with the higher profile tires and whatever else seems to protect them from damage. I know the GS has a lot of bent wheel problems, but hadn't heard much about the Z51.
How are everyone else's Z51 wheels and tires holding up?
Grrrr….
In the Spring of 2017 we bought a new Z51.
By 5k miles, we had bent one rear wheel on a protruding manhole.
By 10k miles we had ruined one AS runflat (cut the bead against the rim) on a pothole small enough we didn't even notice it.
At 20k miles today, we hit another pothole on the interstate that again cut the bead against the rim, and slightly bent two wheels. We're stuck in a motel in central Illinois in a snowstorm waiting for Discount Tires to get a replacement AS tomorrow, and they think the bent wheels won't be bad enough to cause serious vibration. Trying to get to Arizona.
In each of these situations, the mag ride was in Tour and the tires were properly inflated.
If this is what we can look forward to, it's time to ditch the C7 and go back to a C6 with the higher profile tires and whatever else seems to protect them from damage. I know the GS has a lot of bent wheel problems, but hadn't heard much about the Z51.
How are everyone else's Z51 wheels and tires holding up?
Grrrr….
Sorry for your misfortune. It has to be beyond frustrating to be stuck in a hotel waiting new tires and worry about whether the wheels will get you to Arizona. I truly hope you can get back on the road soon.
Safe travels.
Last edited by Maxie2U; 01-27-2019 at 01:27 PM.
01-27-2019, 01:48 PM
#20
I don't recall hearing of another account of a Z51 wheel bend either, but you hear it routinely from GS and Z06 owners.
I live in the DC metro area and nearly daily drive to and from downtown DC every day with some horrible road conditions. Having done a fair amount of autocross in my day, I practice my skills weaving around potholes, manhole covers, and other potential mortal tire/wheel threats. I stay laser focused on the pavement ahead. So far, so good.
I live in the DC metro area and nearly daily drive to and from downtown DC every day with some horrible road conditions. Having done a fair amount of autocross in my day, I practice my skills weaving around potholes, manhole covers, and other potential mortal tire/wheel threats. I stay laser focused on the pavement ahead. So far, so good.
Last edited by Foosh; 01-27-2019 at 01:57 PM.