Chriscam21

Picking up my first corvette today -1999 coupe. Sorry, this is posted in another thread about the tires, but I thought I would get this to the top. Having the tires put on tomorrow.

Anthing I should be watching out for during the installation of the tires or anything I need to tell the installers before the work begins. Are Magnesium Wheels any different than standard wheels as far as the tire installation goes. How about balancing and weights.

Thanks for your input.

c5vetteguy

Take your car to a place that has modern mounting equipment and let them know that the paint on these wheels will chip if you look at them wrong. Also have them mount the weights inside the barrel and not on the lip. They'll have to mount them somewhat inboard in order to clear the calipers.

Chriscam21

I am picking the car up today, but it noticed in the pictures that I took that the wheels have stick on weights on the inside of the rim (outside). Is this common?

BRTC5

My buddy just had his wheels done at a shop His are on the outside. They say that it is the best way to do the weights. It is the way they mount their race set ups. The shop said they would re do the weights if it bothered him. With the Mags I would specify where you wanted them. To answer your question, yes, it is normal.

oh1vette

This:

oh1vette

Mine are inside....

4 KRUSIN

Welcome to the Forum and Vette ownership. I love those wheels.

I have the thin spokes. I had them install the weights on the inside and they have been fine. I hope they can get the weights off your wheels without marking them.

SG Lou

Make sure the shop you take it too is familiar with lifting C5's and make sure YOU have a set of lifting pucks just in case the shop doesn't.

I just had my wheels swapped out for new ones and i had to insert my own pucks so they can lift the car. Needless to say I stood over the installer through out the entire process. As a matter of fact, the shop Manager insisted i do so. "You Corvette Owners are a funny picky bunch" was his comment.

Vetteman Jack

From the factory the weights are stuck on the outside lip as well as on the inside. You used to be able to buy wheel weights that matched the color of the magnesium wheel but I'm not sure if they are available anymore - try Gene at gmpartshouse.com. If not, you can get some touch up paint that you could apply to the weights - not sure if it would last but it might be worth a try.

Eckler’s: 12346496 code N73 WA 163D

Dupli-Color touch up NG GM 507 Light Bronzemist Metallic (GM code 54 WA534F) is a perfect match. Was found at Pep Boys.

jrose7004

I would have never let them mount those weights on the outside of the wheel! That looks awful.

Chriscam21

Spoke with the installer, I am going to remove the weights prior to the tire installation and have them install the new weights on the inside of the rim. Hopefully I can get the weights off and remove the adhesive with one of those Natural Orange type of adhesive removers without scratching the wheels.

Chriscam21

Me either, it was the original owner. Guess they didn't care. Hopefully I can get them off without scratching. New ones go inside.

TorchRedRocket

I have never seen the weights mounted like that either. Definitely tell them ahead of time that you want the weights mounted on the inside of the rim.

What tires did you end up going with?

Bill Vett

If you have the original sensors I would think about replacing them when you get new tires. If they are the original sensors they're at the end of their life span. I'd hate to risk damage down the road replacing the sensors 6 months from now. Look for a shop that has a Hunter touchless machine and a tech that knows Corvettes. If you have lifting pucks take them with you, not all shops have them. Once home check the lugs with a torque wrench 100 fp. Bill

Chriscam21

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP(Ultra High Performance All-Season)

Chriscam21

Thanks for the info

Chriscam21

Question: Car only has 28,000 miles on it, is time a factor with the life of the sensors or is miles the factor in determining the life of the sensor?

Mr.Bill

Maybe normal for you, But any good shop won't put the weights on the outside if they have any pride in what they do. I always tell them to make sure the weights are on the inside and they always look at me funny and say "We don't do that type of work here"...lol

RedSoxFan

I think they go into a kind of "sleep" mode when the car isn't being driven but they still might draw a little power. I had new tires put on last year and even though my sensors were functioning fine I chose to replace them. I've read that they can last 10 years, sometimes less, sometimes more but I didn't want to have to pull the tires off of my new rims again for awhile.

Bluefire

The factory manual states exactly where the weights must go depending on type.