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Can't imagine needing an alignment tool to put a wheel on a car, LOL. That is just laughable.
I've never used them in 45 years of working on cars, but I bought them because these wheels are pretty deep and I could see me bouncing one off of the painted caliper and really being pissed. TARANTULA is spot on with the carbon rotors, just nick one and they are to be junked (BIG $$$$).
Last edited by Phil1098; May 13, 2020 at 04:30 PM.
I suspect that's one reason some manufacturers use wheel bolts instead of lug nuts and studs. Mercedes comes to mind, and my Lotus did as well.
BMW as well... it's annoying as hell and I've had more experiences with wheels slipping off of hub lips and banging into something with cars with no studs than with, I've actually never had that happen on a car with studs. And yeah, I've seen some pretty soft "hardened" studs too... a Dodge I had and two Chevys both had what sure seemed like easily damaged studs until I replaced them with aftermarket.
We make the mag assist for the C7 but we just need a C8 here to make the mag assist for it. remember using the lug extenders is just as hard as trying to find the five lugs with out them, our mag assist will make it much easier so you just rotate once on the extension we have them here at ZL1addons.com. If some one want to drop by with a C8 we will make one free. 858 527 8727
I still have my Mag Assist, large main tube piece from my C7. In all the excitement of early trading our C7 in for the C8, I totally forgot about removing the two front wheel cone pieces and left them on the C7.
Hopefully, the new design for the C8 ends up where I can still use the primary large tube piece, and just need to buy what ever front wheel adaptors are required. Wishful thinking, I know.........
We make the mag assist for the C7 but we just need a C8 here to make the mag assist for it. remember using the lug extenders is just as hard as trying to find the five lugs with out them, our mag assist will make it much easier so you just rotate once on the extension we have them here at ZL1addons.com. If some one want to drop by with a C8 we will make one free. 858 527 8727
Agreed, I've used both, and your mag assist on my C7 made my twice annual tire swaps a breeze. It's no contest!
They look like jewelry in person, beautifully done.
Great product and as you say, look like the precision tools they are. I bought the longer 7 1/2 inch ones for my Grand Sport, 12 inch wide rear wheels, makes changing easy. Recommend buying 3 . I deal with my 420 Section Width Street Rod tires and wider wheels but fortunately don't have to take them off often!
The Lug Guides come in two lengths, 5 and 7 1/2 inches. I have the shorter ones for the C8, which should be fine for the 11 inch rear wheels. In fact, just checked and the longer ones are sold out. Have to look for the different lengths when ordering as they are not on the same web page.
I bought this tire-changing aid for my C7 that is solid billet aluminum and fits in the center hub. Since I swap between summers and all-seasons at least twice a year, it's invaluable, and a little quicker. One end screws on the back hub, and the other end goes into the front.
I can't remember who sold it, but I thought it was clever. There are usually several ways to "skin a cat."
Help me understand the difference between using this ^^^ tool, and the permanent three rods??
Does the above tool used as a guide for each wheel, while mounting a wheel, then it is removed and moved to the next wheel, and so on?
Is this something that I want for my base, non-Z51 C7 to have the Discount Tire tire jockeys use when changing out tires on my C7?
^^^
Hmm, neither are permanent. Not sure where that word "permanent" used in a post meant.
The Reverse Logic Lug Guides are screwed onto the lugs and removed as you place lug nuts on after each is unscrewed. The other works off the center hub and you have to remove the center wheel cap to use and place the center wheel cap back when the lugs are installed.
Had my 2014 Z51 for 3 1/2 years and with the narrower rear wheels not as necessary but can help. I bought mine when I got my 12 inch wide Grad sport with it's 12 in wide rear wheel. Used on my fronts, which are the same tire/wheel as the V7 C7 rears. Does work but would not say it's "needed" unless you're changing wheels frequently.
IMO Discount Tire, etc folks won't take the extra time to use them, They are used to putting wheels on and do it all the time.
Help me understand the difference between using this ^^^ tool, and the permanent three rods??
Does the above tool used as a guide for each wheel, while mounting a wheel, then it is removed and moved to the next wheel, and so on?
Is this something that I want for my base, non-Z51 C7 to have the Discount Tire tire jockeys use when changing out tires on my C7?
Thanks for some instruction here.
Joe,
The difference is the tool I prefer screws onto the rear center hub on the back, and inserts into a provided adapter on the front hubs. Note different shape on each end of the tool. On the other hand, the alternative method multiple rods screw on to several of the lug studs.
When changing a tire with my tool, I simply slide the center hole of the wheel onto the tool which holds the tire/wheel and you simply rotate it until it aligns with the lugs, push it on, and loosely hand-tighten the lugs nuts, and simply remove the tool.
With the rods other folks use, you have to screw multiple rods onto the lugs, lift the tire and then align the wheel holes with rods, same as aligning with the lug nuts, the remove multiple rods from the lug studs.
It's much simpler to use ONE large center hole (where the center cap goes), than it is to align with several rods. However, both methods are easier than lifting a tire into the air and aligning with 5 lugs.
The center cap removal issue is a "red herring." When a tire is off, a simple push from behind and they pop right off without overstressing any of the individual prongs. Same with popping them back on.
The four guys are all on here. I'll just say one thing to all of you: I look for, and almost always find in EACH of your posts some USEFUL PIECE OF INFORMATION. Now, the phrasing of it, how it's presented, etc. is all up to you. But I look for content, and I find it!
So, I'll just quietly go back to reading because I got a lotta learning to do. Sometimes, it takes more than reading once.
Be kinder, guys. It's about cars---how can that be a bad thing if it's your combined interests.
^^^
Hmm, neither are permanent. Not sure where that word "permanent" used in a post meant.
Just noticed this. On the center hub tool, the adapters for the front hub are left in, so they are "permanent" until one decides to remove them. The front hub is not threaded (rears are), so the adapters are inserted flush, and tightened with allen screws.
They are included with the tool along with the allen wrench that fits them . You install them once, and leave them there. It takes less than 5 minutes.
A tool invented for a problem that does not exist. Can't believe such a thing sells for 75 and people buy it.
You said you have spent more on your car than a C8 costs, and now $75 is a deal breaker? I've been working on cars for 45 years, and while I try to be as careful as I can, **** happens. The rear wheels are pretty deep and it saves me from bouncing a barrel off of a caliper or rotor and dinging the inside of the wheel or chipping caliper paint. After $67,000, $75 pretty much falls into the noise level.
Great product and as you say, look like the precision tools they are. I bought the longer 7 1/2 inch ones for my Grand Sport, 12 inch wide rear wheels, makes changing easy. Recommend buying 3 . I deal with my 420 Section Width Street Rod tires and wider wheels but fortunately don't have to take them off often!
The Lug Guides come in two lengths, 5 and 7 1/2 inches. I have the shorter ones for the C8, which should be fine for the 11 inch rear wheels. In fact, just checked and the longer ones are sold out. Have to look for the different lengths when ordering as they are not on the same web page.
Just posted in C7 parts for sale for those interested
You said you have spent more on your car than a C8 costs, and now $75 is a deal breaker? I've been working on cars for 45 years, and while I try to be as careful as I can, **** happens. The rear wheels are pretty deep and it saves me from bouncing a barrel off of a caliper or rotor and dinging the inside of the wheel or chipping caliper paint. After $67,000, $75 pretty much falls into the noise level.
Sorry never had issues where I would need a lug guide tool to put on a wheel without damaging it.
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Great product and as you say, look like the precision tools they are. I bought the longer 7 1/2 inch ones for my Grand Sport, 12 inch wide rear wheels, makes changing easy. Recommend buying 3 . I deal with my 420 Section Width Street Rod tires and wider wheels but fortunately don't have to take them off often!
