[JRRF]

I hit something on 95 today and it tore up my tire and wheel well cover. Pretty scary when it happened to. I happened to be right by a chevy dealer when it happened, so I limped over there without damaging the wheel. They are replacing the tire which was toast, but the wheel well cover they are going to take off and have to order it. Is there any issue driving long distance without that wheel well cover?

 

[jcanoe]

I hit something on 95 today and it tore up my tire and wheel well cover. Pretty scary when it happened to. I happened to be right by a chevy dealer when it happened, so I limped over there without damaging the wheel. They are replacing the tire which was toast, but the wheel well cover they are going to take off and have to order it. Is there any issue driving long distance without that wheel well cover?

View attachment 155215

You should not have any short-term issues with driving without the wheel well liner. Removing the liner will likely negatively affect the Volt's aerodynamics and air flow under the car but probably not to a significant degree. Rocks and other debris thrown from the wheel can impact the inside of the fender, dent the fender from the inside. You might be able to cut away the damaged portion of the liner, leave the undamaged portion. You should replace the wheel well liner as soon possible once your dealer has obtained the part.

 

[Barry]

I would have preferred to leave the damaged liner in place temporarily, and bend it back into shape or improvise a way to anchor it. That way it will continue to deflect water and dirt/stones and keep them out of the underbody area. If you drive only on clean dry roads, this should not be too much of an issue.

 

[KenC]

Exactly what I would have chosen as well. Just do the NASCAR thing and duct tape it until you can get the replacement.

I would have preferred to leave the damaged liner in place temporarily, and bend it back into shape or improvise a way to anchor it. That way it will continue to deflect water and dirt/stones and keep them out of the underbody area. If you drive only on clean dry roads, this should not be too much of an issue.

 

[JRRF]

Exactly what I would have chosen as well. Just do the NASCAR thing and duct tape it until you can get the replacement.

I think the last thing you want is something else flapping around. If it's not permanent at 70 mph, it's not good. As for I-95, I think it's pretty clean (other than what I picked up ).

Unfortunately as we were leaving I noticed the parking break wouldn't set, and I still had a yellow wrench on the dash. Now they are looking for a broken brake cable

And $250 for a replacement tire put on is outrageous.

 

[Don M]

And $250 for a replacement tire put on is outrageous.

Sounds about right - In my experience, anything you get from a dealer you'll pay about 2X the price for - They know very well they've "got you" when you drive on the lot. If it's available anywhere else, buy it there and save a ton . . . . or get it from the dealer and pay through the nose for the convenience

Don

 

[Barry]

^ I'd have to agree with that. It might have been better luck to break down in front of a Discount Tire store, but that is how it goes sometimes. When the tread gets low, head there instead.

 

[JRRF]

Sounds about right - In my experience, anything you get from a dealer you'll pay about 2X the price for - They know very well they've "got you" when you drive on the lot. If it's available anywhere else, buy it there and save a ton . . . . or get it from the dealer and pay through the nose for the convenience

Don

^ I'd have to agree with that. It might have been better luck to break down in front of a Discount Tire store, but that is how it goes sometimes. When the tread gets low, head there instead.

For sure. I have a friend in the tire biz that I've been going to for 40 years. But when you are stuck on vacation you don't have any choice. It was actually fortuitous that I was able to get to a chevy dealer since they were able to run the codes and reattach the parking brake cable.

In retrospect, I'm not completely convinced I hit something. I'm thinking the wheel well may have come loose on it's own and as it jammed against the tire, one of the screws toasted the tire.