C7 wheel problem
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
C7 wheel problem
replaced the tires on my '16 z51 with chrome wheels about a year ago. recently have encountered a slow leak (about one lb per day). the tire dealer has looked for the leak on 3 separate occasions & can not locate it. They suggest the problem is the wheel. has anyone had a similar experience or aware of issues with the wheels. I was also told by another owner that GM has had problems with these wheels?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,887
From: Toronto
The Z51 wheels are not known for cracking / bending compared to some of the others. The tire shop should be able to submerge the tire in water to find the leak. Maybe try another shop (or throw your tire in a pool if you have one).
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,467
Likes: 1,149
From: Wayne Township WI
C7 has had issues w/ wheels, getting to be somewhat common by reading recent complaints.
Tire has to be removed to closely inspect checking for small fine cracks.
If not a loose valve nut, that's what's usually at fault & behind slow leaks.
IF there is a crack and still under B2B, plead your case to dealer.
G/L w/ that.
Been reading of dealers trying to squirm out of replacing wheels, citing 'vehicle abuse' via hitting pothole/curb etc.
GM knows there's a quality control problem, won't admit it though.
Gotta try, anyway.
More & more owners take the opportunity to upgrade to something stronger, forged. YMMV
Tire has to be removed to closely inspect checking for small fine cracks.
If not a loose valve nut, that's what's usually at fault & behind slow leaks.
IF there is a crack and still under B2B, plead your case to dealer.
G/L w/ that.
Been reading of dealers trying to squirm out of replacing wheels, citing 'vehicle abuse' via hitting pothole/curb etc.
GM knows there's a quality control problem, won't admit it though.
Gotta try, anyway.
More & more owners take the opportunity to upgrade to something stronger, forged. YMMV
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
I would have them check the tire pressure sensors and valve. I had leaky one in another car and it wasn't obvious. It too was a very slow leak. In fact the valve only leaked under load, IE: when on the car was on the ground. Thus they didn't catch it with the normal tire in water tank test.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 878
Likes: 61
From: Louisa, Ky
soapy water spray down in several stopping points to check bead for leaking. Sometimes when parked slightly on a slopping curb which opens bead alittle this will let air out of dirty contaminated sealing surface.
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I too would take it to another shop and see if they can find the leak. It’s got to be leaking from some place on the wheel.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Oro Valley Arizona
Ez
One wheel right? So unmount it and look at the circumference of both the wheel and tire. Then using a new TPMS, remount it. Should not cost much to do a 'reboot'. Pardon the pun.
Last edited by papillion; Jun 5, 2019 at 09:35 AM.
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Raise the pressure up to the max PSI (see tire for that, I think it is 50 or so.) use soapy water. Watch the valve stem and rim AND the wheel itself. If air is coming out it has to bubble somewhere on the wheel. GS & Z06 are having issues on wheel cracks and lost air.
Elmer
Elmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Sunnyvale CA
I had that happen on a tire on my C5. Turned out to be a little piece of rubber in the bead left over from manufacturing. It would only leak if parked with the tire in the problem position. It was only found after unmounting the tire and checking the bead carefully.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 194
From: Goderich, ON
I would have them check the tire pressure sensors and valve. I had leaky one in another car and it wasn't obvious. It too was a very slow leak. In fact the valve only leaked under load, IE: when on the car was on the ground. Thus they didn't catch it with the normal tire in water tank test.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
I've seen this one too. An object gets into the tire but effectively seals since its jammed in there. However as the tire rolls and the weight shifts on the tread blocks it leaks sometimes. You would have to inspect the tire very carefully to find it. The good news is if such a leak occurs a tire plug is normally enough to fix it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 221
Likes: 54
From: Spring Texas
replaced the tires on my '16 z51 with chrome wheels about a year ago. recently have encountered a slow leak (about one lb per day). the tire dealer has looked for the leak on 3 separate occasions & can not locate it. They suggest the problem is the wheel. has anyone had a similar experience or aware of issues with the wheels. I was also told by another owner that GM has had problems with these wheels?