Thinspoke wheel nightmare
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Hamilton NJ
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Hamilton NJ
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#5
Drifting
Happened to me about a year ago.
Decided to go with different wheels,didn't think i could trust the other 3 wheels.
Here's a few pic's of the cracks on my wheels. They had about 30,000 miles on them.
Decided to go with different wheels,didn't think i could trust the other 3 wheels.
Here's a few pic's of the cracks on my wheels. They had about 30,000 miles on them.
#6
Safety Car
#7
Safety Car
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Red city in deep blue Oregon
Posts: 4,271
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '17
'04 Thinspokes here.
Thanks for the Heads-up!
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....
Appreciate the post!
Thanks for the Heads-up!
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....
Appreciate the post!
#9
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City OK
Posts: 58,263
Received 1,678 Likes
on
1,301 Posts
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've heard about that problem a couple of years ago.
#10
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 0
Received 79 Likes
on
61 Posts
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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.
I think there were two manufacturers of the thinspokes and one of them was at fault. Alcoa IIRC.
Sad to hear yet another incident.
#13
Le Mans Master
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?
#17
Pro
Member Since: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto Ontario
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?!
#19
Drifting
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.