GTX JOHN

Dealer is very nervous about removing Z07 wheels as
their tire tech quit.

I have a two post lift and I am comfortable with lifting car
up and have done it several times.

What do I need to watch for in the removal of the wheels/tires....I know
I have some covers to protect the brakes that came with
the car.

Can any big box tire store switch the cups for my new SS tires?

Sorry for dumb questions....I am OLD and scared a lot!

badhabit_wb

This link has a lot of good advice. The reverse logic extenders work great. You also should have some rotor protectors that came with the car.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-damage.html

BrunoTheMellow

valid question. pep boys turned me away. firestone turned me away. Discount tire did it happily. So i'd check with them. My tires are just z51 size but R-compounds also. Discount tire also price matches any other tire store so just buy from them, ship to them, install with them, get their relatively cheap tire insurance.

Just be careful if pulling them off on your own. They are heavy but a little tapping here and there won't damage any components down there.

Bill Dearborn

The rotor protectors work well if you ensure they are installed correctly (which can be difficult due to limited room for your hands. The mechanic at the dealership I go to uses some water pipe insulation instead of the foam rotor protectors. He thinks it works better, is more durable and is cheaper to replace. As for the stud extenders they work fine for taking the wheel off but they are a problem when reinstalling the wheel. You are then trying to line 3 holes in the wheel with 3 studs sticking out about a foot. If you have the wheel lower than eye level it can be tricky lining the holes up with the studs.

One way some people work with the wheels is to lift the car just far enough so the tires are barely off the ground. That way the wheels won't impact the rotors if dropped while sliding them off the studs. Same goes for reinstalling the wheel.

Bill

badhabit_wb

You can also put a jack under the tire, jack up just enough to take the pressure off the lugs, and then pull the jack straight out. If you have the extenders on it's pretty easy and the tire doesn't drop.

ersatz928

An added tip, for the above method, is to slip a plastic garbage bag between the slightly lifted tire and the garage floor. The bag makes it much easier to slide the tire in or out, on or off the wheel studs.

mcoomer

Get the extenders and take it slow. I'm also digging ersatz's garbage bag tip above. Sounds like a simple thing that should work to slide those meaty bastards in and out. Don't psyche yourself out over this.

John Harry

Not to make light of the issue, as I know it's real, but - - - holy heck, what has the world come to when we need a "tire tech"? My first Vette, a '62, was worked on entirely by one guy. He pumped gas, washed windshields, did tune ups, rebuilt engines, and everything else too. If I'd asked for his tire tech he'd have thrown me out.

GTX JOHN

Raised the car slightly off ground....Slide the tires out!
There was a LOT more clearance than I expected on brakes.

Elvis beltran

The protecors help prevent someone dropping the wheel on the rotors and causing damage to to a place that sells rims they mount 22 in tires all day they can handle it

bankers1

Lug extenders, where to buy? What to buy....or borrow. Planning on painting calipers next month I'm 60 YO, a 50lb tire/wheel is a bit much, alone.
but need them off for a couple hours. above 58* F.
Advice....?

smajicek

If you jack the car up and wheels are 1/4 inches off the ground then pull wheels off, nothing more to it? yes its that simple