Thinspoke wheel nightmare
 

I want to let everyone know that if they are running the stock thinspoke c5 wheels from gm, please check your spokes for cracks. Both of my rear wheels are destroyed thanks to cracks forming on 8 of the 10 cracks between the rear wheels on my 40k mile 02 bolt on C5 with michelin runflat tires. The cracks have punctured through to the inner barrel of the wheel and lost air pressure on my way to work, upon inspection at the tire shop, they informed me that the cracks were so deep in the metal that it was unlike anything they've ever seen before. I am now out a lot of money in a new set of wheels and tire swap fees. really, of all things to go bad, wheels? cmon gm, wtf. pics coming soon.

They have been known to develop cracks. I've even been hearing stories of the Z wheels cracking too.

Every now and then I've heard a case of thinspokes cracking, but they were so isolated that I didn't think it was an issue of much concern like the CLB or EBCM *both of which have occured right on schedule*. Haven't heard anything about the Z06 wheels cracking though.

No problems with my factory Magnesium rims......;)

Happened to me about a year ago.:(
Decided to go with different wheels,didn't think i could trust the other 3 wheels.:eek:
Here's a few pic's of the cracks on my wheels. They had about 30,000 miles on them.:crazy:

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...1/HPIM0583.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...1/HPIM0584.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...1/HPIM0585.jpg

Damn, they are scary pics :eek:

My wheels are just past the change over date for the Gen II thin spokes and I haven't noticed any cracks yet.

'04 Thinspokes here.

Thanks for the Heads-up!:thumbs:

Mine happen to be off the 'Vette tonight cause I'm painting the calipers, so I have a great look at them.....

All's well....:cool:

Appreciate the post!:yesnod:

Wow. Mine are sitting in the garage with the runflats on them waiting to be sold or stored since I got my Ruffs on.

I've heard about that problem a couple of years ago.

There were a number of incidents on the Forum back in 05. One member reported it to the NTHSA but they replied that there were insufficient reports to take on GM. I have a slow leak on my pax side rear but I've been looking closely and I think its just an o ring on the old TPS.

I think there were two manufacturers of the thinspokes and one of them was at fault. Alcoa IIRC.

Sad to hear yet another incident.

Dang, that's nasty.....at least they are outside where you can see them!

That's some scary images...

I thought repro wheels might have this problem, I never thought OEM wheels would do this.

I have been running GM Speedline (Made in Italy) Chromed Thinspokes for 9 years - still no problems so far. Has anyone seen this problem on the Speedlines?

Now that is scarey for us folks who tend to drive a a bit say spiritedly!

Damn, I'm gonna have to check mine out tonite when I get home...:ack:

:iagree:

I'll keep an eye out for this

Just so that I am clear. The crack that has formed is a surface crack but could lead to a brake right through the wheel?!

Happened to me as well.....

From what i've heard since this happened to me is that most people don't even know there is a problem untill they read a post like this or in my case i discovered a flat tire (non-run flats) one morning after a 80 mile trip the night before at 70 mph.:eek:
For those of you that are inspecting your wheels, be sure and look on the inside of the wheel.
If you will look at these pic's you will see a crack at the base of the spoke.
In the first pic i'm pointing to the area of the crack and you should be able to see it in the other pic's.
Hope this is helpful.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...1/HPIM0589.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...1/HPIM0590.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...1/HPIM0588.jpg

Que??