Shock Tower covers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 254
Likes: 104
Shock Tower covers
I remember when this was a huge freak-out among new C8 buyers. Water in the shock towers. Now there are many covers available.
Ya'll think these are necessary or just something else to spend money on?
I see the new GM approved Grill Screens by Scrape Armor. They look good but there is another $400+installation.
I'm about to write a VERY large check (for me). Am I buying a "Money Pit"?
Ya'll think these are necessary or just something else to spend money on?
I see the new GM approved Grill Screens by Scrape Armor. They look good but there is another $400+installation.
I'm about to write a VERY large check (for me). Am I buying a "Money Pit"?
Popular Reply
Dec 30, 2021, 11:13 AM
Racer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 470
Likes: 276
easy way
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
Likes: 14,183
From: Central Illinois
POSSE SENIOR RIDER
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,194
Likes: 697
From: Suffield, CT
I installed the shock tower covers on my 2022. Not so much to keep water out, but I thought it had a cleaner look to the area when the cover is off.
I did not install the grill screens as I do not like the look. I have not had a problem...yet.
'Money Pit'. Nope. You decide how much to spend on accessories/add-ons. Some are effective, most are for looks.
I did not install the grill screens as I do not like the look. I have not had a problem...yet.
'Money Pit'. Nope. You decide how much to spend on accessories/add-ons. Some are effective, most are for looks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
I figured I would just drive it past my 500 mi first stage breakin period and then decide then if I really needed the grill screens.
I didn't make it to 200mi. Looked down and to my horror, I had a lot more dented fins than I had expected and I make it a point to avoid being close to big trucks and other stone throwers as much as possible.
It's not the "radiator", it's the AC condenser that is getting hit, but regardless it looked horrible and it wasn't fun trying to comb those out. I had to pick at them with a variety of tools to straighten them.
I installed some CHEAP screens. They look fine, stop the damage to the condensers and I haven't seen ANY change in cooling performance here in Florida.
I had rusty bolts in my front strut towers due to water pooling there. My C8 was birthed on 5/20/21 with the "new" design that isn't supposed to have problems there. Still does, so I put covers on them.
Here is something to shock you also. If you have MSRC, there are some BOOTS that cover the top of the strut where the wire enters.
Pull those boots back. I bet you will find a ton of rust already if you haven't filled that boot with dielectric grease. Word to the wise! Why doesn't GM fill that boot with grease? It's a mystery to me.
I didn't make it to 200mi. Looked down and to my horror, I had a lot more dented fins than I had expected and I make it a point to avoid being close to big trucks and other stone throwers as much as possible.
It's not the "radiator", it's the AC condenser that is getting hit, but regardless it looked horrible and it wasn't fun trying to comb those out. I had to pick at them with a variety of tools to straighten them.
I installed some CHEAP screens. They look fine, stop the damage to the condensers and I haven't seen ANY change in cooling performance here in Florida.
I had rusty bolts in my front strut towers due to water pooling there. My C8 was birthed on 5/20/21 with the "new" design that isn't supposed to have problems there. Still does, so I put covers on them.
Here is something to shock you also. If you have MSRC, there are some BOOTS that cover the top of the strut where the wire enters.
Pull those boots back. I bet you will find a ton of rust already if you haven't filled that boot with dielectric grease. Word to the wise! Why doesn't GM fill that boot with grease? It's a mystery to me.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,281
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
I put them on my 20, made my own. Checked my 22 after a wash and they were bone dry. Not planning to check again, not that big a deal, but did install grill covers on both.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,800
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
I remember when this was a huge freak-out among new C8 buyers. Water in the shock towers. Now there are many covers available.
Ya'll think these are necessary or just something else to spend money on?
I see the new GM approved Grill Screens by Scrape Armor. They look good but there is another $400+installation.
I'm about to write a VERY large check (for me). Am I buying a "Money Pit"?
Ya'll think these are necessary or just something else to spend money on?
I see the new GM approved Grill Screens by Scrape Armor. They look good but there is another $400+installation.
I'm about to write a VERY large check (for me). Am I buying a "Money Pit"?
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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It really is up to you how much you want to spend on the car - it can be just fine as it comes from the factory.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 3,198
From: Oro Valley Arizona
Grain of Salt
OCD owners drive the aftermarket doo-dad hysteria. Far too often, a solution looking for a problem to solve. GM knew you'd get water in the top of the shock towers. And didn't care. Nor do I.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
I'm 99.9% certain any water that does find its way to the shock towers is from the intense water leak test performed on select cars at the factory. I've hand-washed and driven in plenty of heavy rain storms and mine have remained bone-dry from day #1.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 16
Likes: 21
After picking up my new 2022 C8, I checked the strut towers and found the driver's side tower (center bolt hole and surrounding holes) had about an inch of water. The passenger side was dry. I removed the water and installed the covers I found on Amazon- paid $40 and they went on in about 15 minutes. I'm not sure how long it would take for the water to evaporate but for me it's peace of mind.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 3,658
Likes: 1,939
As an engineer, I can tell you the aluminum shock tower with a steel bolt submerged in water is a perfect recipe for galvanic corrosion.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 254
Likes: 104
GM didn’t know you’d get water in there, that’s why they attempted to fix it by plugging some holes in the cowl. It was a cheap fix but apparently doesn’t work.
As an engineer, I can tell you the aluminum shock tower with a steel bolt submerged in water is a perfect recipe for galvanic corrosion.
As an engineer, I can tell you the aluminum shock tower with a steel bolt submerged in water is a perfect recipe for galvanic corrosion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
I dried my shock towers after I bought the car and they had a lot.
1 year later, after washing the car about 5-6 times there is NO water in the shock towers. I used a pressure washer and spray it everywhere. The water is from Chevy's leak test at the plant.
1 year later, after washing the car about 5-6 times there is NO water in the shock towers. I used a pressure washer and spray it everywhere. The water is from Chevy's leak test at the plant.
