Cracked wheels question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
Cracked wheels question
I've owned my new to me 2019 GS for about 6 weeks now and absolutely loving it, my first vette. My dealer agreed to swap the stock wheels with the chrome Z06 wheels & tires from another vette on his lot to make the deal. They have approximately 4500 miles of use currently. I am considering new Michelin all seasons (AS4's?) to be put on before next summer as we are planning some longer road trips and have heard the Z06 tires can be sqirrely in the rain. My question is more regarding the wheels. I have heard many stories of the cracking wheels. Should I consider replacing the wheels at the same time to avoid the inevitable (?) or am I worrying too much about a low probability (?) event ? 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 564
Likes: 157
From: NOVA
Long list of woe here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...roll-call.html
I, like many, moved to Continental Extreme Contact non run-flat tires and haven't had an issue since having to replace both rear wheels. No pot holes, no curb impacts... just a "flat" tire that turned out to be a cracked wheel with the other cracked but not yet leaking.
BTW, the Conti's eliminated the "tramming" I experienced with my GS and are a significant improvement in wet weather conditions.
I have to admit, I like the sidewall profile of the Michelins much more, but hey, cracked wheels... no thanks.
I now have 40k miles, about 25k since switching. No rim issues.
Lastly, I carry a Milwaukee inflator, tire patch kit just in case... and of course a phone in case I can't effect a roadside fix.
And welcome to the GS - fantastic car as you now well know!
I, like many, moved to Continental Extreme Contact non run-flat tires and haven't had an issue since having to replace both rear wheels. No pot holes, no curb impacts... just a "flat" tire that turned out to be a cracked wheel with the other cracked but not yet leaking.
BTW, the Conti's eliminated the "tramming" I experienced with my GS and are a significant improvement in wet weather conditions.
I have to admit, I like the sidewall profile of the Michelins much more, but hey, cracked wheels... no thanks.
I now have 40k miles, about 25k since switching. No rim issues.
Lastly, I carry a Milwaukee inflator, tire patch kit just in case... and of course a phone in case I can't effect a roadside fix.
And welcome to the GS - fantastic car as you now well know!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The PSS can get squirrely in rain, Weather Mode does help, but large puddles or torrential downpours, don't be going fast; the optional Cup tires you don't want to get into any rain, ever.
I cracked the RR wheel on my 19 GS within a month of ownership, it was a slow leak and you could drive on it so long as you monitored and added air about once a month or two.
So yes, the wheels will likely crack at some point.
I cracked the RR wheel on my 19 GS within a month of ownership, it was a slow leak and you could drive on it so long as you monitored and added air about once a month or two.
So yes, the wheels will likely crack at some point.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 449
Likes: 151
I cracked a wheel the first day i drove home from the dealer, also a slow leak was the clue as i never even hit a pot hole large enough to realize it. It was a slow leak so i had to fill up a few times to get home but not catastrophic. I ended up buying forged wheels instead just for peace of mind. They are pricey though.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,941
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Simple, sell the OEM... someone will likely want them (see the "Parts for sale/wanted" section here). Then, buy a set of quality, fully-forged aftermarket. Such should be considered part of the cost of a wide-body C7 if you intend to drive it. All the best. 