I don't post very often, but I have a major problem!! I bought a set of the AFS Black GS 5 spokes about a month ago and had them installed on the 94 Vert. Everything seemd to be OK when I picked up the car. Drove it on a club cruise that weekend for approximately 100 miles and have driven it on a couple very short outings since that time.
Two weekends ago I was cruising up the Interstate pacing with the traffic up to about 80-85 mph when the whole car starts to vibrate. Slowed down to speed limit range and it settled down. Thought maybe I had thrown a wheel weight.
Last Saturday I removed the tire/wheels one at a time to paint the calipers. Reinstalled them at the appropriate locations and took the car for a spin that evening when all of a sudden it started to vibrate the same way at 55 mph.
Took the car to another mechanic last evening to have all four wheel/tires balanced and found out that two of the wheels/tires on opposite corners of the car are fine. The two on the other opposite corners are WAY out of whack. The balancer, a Hunter 9700 (which has all the bells and whistles), tells me those two wheels are slightly bent. You can actually see it as the wheel turns on the machine. One wheel took amost 10 ozs of weights and the other about 6 ozs to bring them back into spec.
Anyone have any ideas what could have happened to cause this? I haven't hit any curbs, pot holes or other hard objects since installing them wheels. Is it possible for wheels to self destruct, due to metal fatuque or something else, all by themselves?
Should I contact AFS for replacement? Any help would be appreciated
AFS should give you replacement rims. Let me know how good they are customer service wise for you. I'm interested in getting their rims.
92TripleBlack :cheers:
Took the Vette back to the mechanic last night and had them look at the right front tire. They removed it from the car and bounced it on the garage floor and something inside the tire was loose. They broke down the tire from the wheel and found the tire pressure sensor not only loose on the rim, but the guts of the thing where falling apart. Took the mess out and re-balanced the tire to acceptable levels and remounted on the Vette. Only problem I now have is the LTPWS light comes on and I have to replace the sensor. And they aren't cheap.
I have removed the fuse for now, which covers the cruise control activation switch, the daytime running light module (which I don't have on a 94), and the tire pressure sensor system. Anyone know where I can get a new tire sensor contraption at a reasonable price? I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your input!!
I have the same problem (though not so bad) with AFS GS wheels. One wheel takes 5oz to balance. Thought it was the tires so after a changed out qa set of Kumhos, same thing. I called AFS and they said there is a 1 year warranty. I will use up this set of Kumhos and probably send the offending wheel back.
Anyone know how I can disable the entire LTPWS without having to remove all the sensors from each wheel? For now I have removed the fuse to kill the dash light, however, that effects the cruise control. Any hints/suggestions would be helpful.
I have one full set of AFS 9.5x17s that I use for street tires - Kuhmos. I also have two AFS 11x17 for my rear autocross tires. All have been balanced on Hunter 9700 Road Force machines and each, with tires dismounted, checked true. Even my 315/35 Kuhmos only took 1.5 ounces on one and (true) 1/4 oz on the other. I know if you call AFS they will make it right. Good luck.
Corvette Store
AFS 5 Spokes UNBALANCED (Kinda long)
