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Aluminum Rim Split in TWO PEICES

L

LabradorAvy

Full Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2003
Messages
21
Location
Labrador City, Newfoundland
One of my first posts but I thought I would toss out an issue that has the potential to affect anyone here. I live in central Labrador and a problem we are seeing here involves alot of late model chev's equipped with aluminum rims. Most of our roads here are gravel and what is happening is that rocks are getting jammed between the outside of the rear brake caliper and the rim (about 5/8"clearance). This actually cuts into the rim. One of our company Suburbans had a rim split in two peices and it cut off the rear brake line causing loss of pressure to the rear system. I have been dealing with chev on the issue for the past 5-6 months but with no luck. Just wanted to make people aware that this can happen and given all of the Ford Firestone tire trouble in years gone by, proves that SUV's that have a blow out can lose control. CHECK YOUR RIMS, it only takes one rock. When it happened to my 03 Z71 WBH there was a high pitched squeal that I wouldn't of heard if my sterio was on. I was able to stop and remove the rock but the cut is pretty deep with a spiral of aluminum sticking out about a foot long.
Well that's enough bad news from me but anyone, who does any amount of off roading, should be aware of this issue. Everyone have a safe and Merry Christmas
 
I know this squeal has been heard on a couple of the Colorado 4x4 GTGs we have had. August I noticed this from the rear brakes after a mud puddle. Last month MeanGreenAV turned around after they heard squealing in the rear of their truck, we knew it was a rock jammed in there someplace and just needed to be knocked out, but we could not find it.
 
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW......

Not much of a problem here as rocks are imported ......

Maybe a shield? or different wheels?
 
WOW, another member from Labrador City, Newfoundland! Look out YAK!

Welcome to the club!

Butch
 
Thanks for the welcome.

There is a guard being suggested by GM but it only protects the supply line to the caliper. There have been issues with the nut backing off and losing fluid. It doesn't provide any protection from rocks getting on top of the caliper.
The other option is bigger rims, but given that 99% of my driving is off road I don't really want to sacrifice ride quality. As you can see I'm in a sticky situation and I need to find a solution as I have a 2 month old passenger riding with me now. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks
 
May I suggest.....

maybe gets some 2 part xlay expoxy....and fill in the area so the gap is much much less.....or maybe put sopme on wheel so it is not conitnuous and would come around and knock off what ever is stuck in there?
 
That's not a bad idea. Would this epoxy stick to the rounded shape and material of the caliper? I was talking to a local welder the other day to see if he could make me a bracket out of plate steal, bent so that it could be bolted on over the caliper using existing holes. Having the plate stick up off of the caliper to close in the gap to 1/4" or so. Thanks for the idea, yours seems more like something I can take on in my own garage.
 
another thing to consider....is those brake dust shield thingys.....you know they are sheetmetal that goes inside wheel and covers it up to prevent dust....

not sure...never really looked back there excpet when painting calipers....and well....no rocks here...

If ya go epoxy route...get high temp stuff.....
 
Does this sound like something GM should be addressing as a safety issue? Something done under warrenty? Are there any other routes to report something like this to GM other than what is stated in the owners manual?
 
Yakmar said:
The rims themselves are NOT under warranty
Click to expand...
The rims are not under warranty?? :9: :eek: Do you know whether the extended warranty covers the rims? I can't see how GM could consider rims a "wear item" like brakes or wipers :rolleyes:
 
Yakmar said:
AVA_Grandpa said:
Yakmar said:
The rims themselves are NOT under warranty
Click to expand...
The rims are not under warranty?? :9: :eek: Do you know whether the extended warranty covers the rims? I can't see how GM could consider rims a "wear item" like brakes or wipers :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
NOpe, rims are not covered under reg. or extended warranty...sorry!! I checked on this and that was what I was told!!! :6:
Click to expand...

I imagine they would be covered only if defective in some manner.
 
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