Which wheels crack?
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:Iagree: However, an extremely hard impact can crack just about any wheel.
Team Owner
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Our 2017 Z51 has about 40k miles, spread evenly between two sets (summer and winter) of wheels/tires, so 20k each set.
Out of the 8 wheels, we have bent 5 so far. And I'm pretty careful around potholes.
All have been straightened, the first one about 15k miles ago. So far, no cracks or re-bends.
Tadge has been quoted as saying that the only C7 factory wheels that are forged, are the Z51 "tuning fork" style that we have. So, they still can bent but seem much more resistant to cracking.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
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I guess it depends on what you mean by "bullet proof".
Our 2017 Z51 has about 40k miles, spread evenly between two sets (summer and winter) of wheels/tires, so 20k each set.
Out of the 8 wheels, we have bent 5 so far. And I'm pretty careful around potholes.
All have been straightened, the first one about 15k miles ago. So far, no cracks or re-bends.
Tadge has been quoted as saying that the only C7 factory wheels that are forged, are the Z51 "tuning fork" style that we have. So, they still can bent but seem much more resistant to cracking.
Our 2017 Z51 has about 40k miles, spread evenly between two sets (summer and winter) of wheels/tires, so 20k each set.
Out of the 8 wheels, we have bent 5 so far. And I'm pretty careful around potholes.
All have been straightened, the first one about 15k miles ago. So far, no cracks or re-bends.
Tadge has been quoted as saying that the only C7 factory wheels that are forged, are the Z51 "tuning fork" style that we have. So, they still can bent but seem much more resistant to cracking.
Between cracked wheels & gyrating torque tubes I'm almost afraid to drive the car fast.
Team Owner
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
^^^
As mentioned, someone said that Tadge says the Z51 wheels are the only forged wheels on a stock C7, but I have no way to check on that.
A wheel wizard might be able to tell after careful examination, but I'm not that guy.
There are stories about someone who has a C7 (base or Z51) with over 500k miles on it. He is said to have replaced several sets of wheels, both stock and aftermarket, because they all eventually crack.
We put 102k miles on our C6 Z51 all over the US and Canada, and never had any wheel problems.
As mentioned, someone said that Tadge says the Z51 wheels are the only forged wheels on a stock C7, but I have no way to check on that.
A wheel wizard might be able to tell after careful examination, but I'm not that guy.
There are stories about someone who has a C7 (base or Z51) with over 500k miles on it. He is said to have replaced several sets of wheels, both stock and aftermarket, because they all eventually crack.
We put 102k miles on our C6 Z51 all over the US and Canada, and never had any wheel problems.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 19
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From: Ewa Beach, HI.
Concur. My 2018 GS rear rim cracked and I have no recollection of hitting a pothole in the 5k miles I've logged. Luckily, I bought the dealer offered complete wheel protection insurance so it was replaced. (Side note,GM denied the claim hence, the insurance was used)
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Margate, FL
Very rare to see a report of a Z51 wheel problem. While the GS or Z06 wheels are nearly constantly failing around here it seems.
Low profile, wide, stiff run-flat rubber + stiff suspension + cheap wheels = easier to damage. A roll of the dice for sure, but the dice appear to be loaded against the wide body cars.
Low profile, wide, stiff run-flat rubber + stiff suspension + cheap wheels = easier to damage. A roll of the dice for sure, but the dice appear to be loaded against the wide body cars.
Burning Brakes
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Team Owner
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Do an "Advanced Search" across the C7 sections of the Forum and you'll find a gazillion threads on bent/cracked wheels... one often on the front page of this section had over 900 posts last I looked! 