Need a repair shop...

AdamBreakey · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:11 pm

Today at the Greensboro Triad event I found out I need new lug 'studs' all the way around. I had one cross threaded so bad that we couldnt get it off. Anyway, does anyone know a good place to drop the car off on Monday that will have it ready to go on Thursday? I am thinking I will replace all of the studs and lug nuts. I would also like them to check out the rear hub and make sure all is well there. BTW, this is on my z06.

Thanks in advance.

adamb

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:33 pm

Unless there is something weird about the Corvette hubs, all you really need is a BFH for removal and an extra lug nut or two to install them. I have done it track side a couple of times and extra studs and nuts are part of my standard pack. I am pretty sure any wheel and tire sop could do it for you too, but if you do it yourself, you will know how to do it at an event should it ever happen again.

FWIW, I also suggest that you get open ended lugs if you don't already run them. I found that the closed end acorn style would accumulate a a ton of grit in them over time if you aren't absolutely meticulous.

MilesBeam · **Joined:** Fri Aug 15, 2003 1:57 pm **Posts:** 427

Adam,

I'll put in my plug here for Carolina Import Works. Craig Gelston, the shop owner, is a Corvette owner and racer, and a club sponsor. He also runs some of our track events with us.

Don't let the name of his shop fool you. He's worked on everything I've owned for a number of years now (all domestic). He's not the cheapest shop in town, but he does quality work. I've had almost no complaints, and the one time I had one, he worked to make it right.

I think he just bought a C5 race car too and is now trying to sell his C4. He understands the racer mentality and some of the unusual things we might want done to a strett car. His mechanics know their stuff. I've had a ton of minor things done there, as well as some not so simple jobs like diffs replaced, cluthes, and engine work.

The best thing to me about Craig's shop is that he fixes what he's supposed to fix and doesn't break anything else. It sounds like such a simple requirement but for years I couldn't find a mechanic to meet that simple expectation. I've also known him to not replace things that he thought were fine, so I don't feel like he throws in new parts just to make money like some shops do.

Here's the contact info:
4235 Capital Blvd # B, Raleigh, 27604 - (919) 872-0350

Tell him I sent you.

Miles Beam
91 Corvette

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

You've never seen a sadder man than one that says "Hey, can you hold the pliars on the lugnut so I can drive the car on the trailer".

Jeb Brookshire · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:31 pm

I will second the plug for Craig at Carolina Import Works. He has serviced my vehicles for the past 10 years and always does top-shelf work with OEM parts.

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

Just a tip - Try using some high temp anti-seize on your studs after you get them replaced. When you autocross or track your car it tends to put so much more heat into the wheels/studs/lugs than it would under "normal highway conditions" that they can have some funky reactions which leads to thread galling. I'm sure someone smarter than me can explain the actual process of whats happening?

Anyway, after screwing up 3 or 4 studs/lugs in my first two years of autocrossing. I haven't had any problem with them since I started using anti-seize (7 years). I usually hit them about once a year at the beginning of the season.

And for you tech heads out there, I know lubricating the threads with anything slightly change the torque you will get from the same setting on your torque wrench. I've never seen a loose lug since I started with the anti-seize. Yes my nuts are always tight

Shawn

MilesBeam · **Joined:** Fri Aug 15, 2003 1:57 pm **Posts:** 427

If you want to see the topic of anti-seize discussed and beaten to death with some interesting technical ramblings, look here.

http://www.thsccforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=3296&start=0

(trying to prevent a repeat of the same old stuff).

Miles

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sun Mar 26, 2006 9:16 am

Dave, at Dave's Automotive. also a club sponsor. also knows a ton about race prep.

MartynWheeler · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:30 pm **Posts:** 303

I'll add yet another plug for Carolina Import Works. I took Miles advice and took my TA there for a bunch of remedial work, and they were so good I went back for all the upgrades I've had done recently. They understand "ready by the next autocross".

They are great folks indeed. I can't say enough good things about them.

AdamBreakey · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:19 am

Thanks everyone. I contacted Craig this morning and will drop off the z06 later today. He says he should have no trouble getting it ready before I leave on Thursday.

Thanks again

adamb

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:53 am

AdamBreakey wrote:

Thanks everyone. I contacted Craig this morning and will drop off the z06 later today. He says he should have no trouble getting it ready before I leave on Thursday.

Thanks again

adamb

My Camaro will be there later in the day too. They can keep each other company :-)

By the way, anyone have a T5 world-class transmission laying around they would be willing to part with?

WalterHouston · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:13 pm

You might want to think about ARP studs rather than stock. They are much stronger and don't seem to have as many thread problems.
I can do my fronts on the car. All you need is the BFH and an impact wrench. I have to remove my axles for the back but I don't know about your IRS. They come long and have to be cut off after installation. Mine need to be longer due to the spacer necessary to run 315s.
I have some circle track lug nuts that work well on my ZR1 rims. I'll show you one at Sanford. They go through the rim.

AdamBreakey · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:22 pm

Well, the car has been fixed. I needed more than just the wheel studs. It turns out that I FUBAR'd the passenger side rear wheel hub, so there was the need to repair and replace parts there. GRRR. this stupid little cross threaded lug nut ended up costing me a BUNCH of money. :evil:

BTW, I did put race hardened wheel studs and quality lug nuts on the car, so hopefully this is the last time I have to deal with this sort of cash outlay.

At least the car is ready well before I have to leave to Arkansas. :roll:

adamb

WalterHouston · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:10 pm

Sorry to hear that. But, "if you wanna play, you gotta pay." Relative to other types of racing, autocross doesn't result in too many broken parts.

AdamBreakey · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:21 pm

No doubt... racing does cost money. I just hate that I caused the issue, not some random thing. It was preventable had I just replaced the lug studs earlier like I knew I needed to. That is what pisses me off.

oh well

adamb

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