Last year my SS was hit in the right rear quarter. The R/R wheel was destroyed in the process. My insurer, GEICO, replaced the wheel with a refurbished one, which seemed OK at the time. But when the snow finally melted after last winter was over, I saw that about 25% of the plating had come off.

The supplier of the wheel will make good by replating the wheel (via a lifetime warranty), but since this is a rare item I have to give up my wheel for a couple of weeks.

Is there a cheapie wheel/tire combination that I can use when I send my stock wheel away? I just need to get back & forth to work...no "spirited" driving. Or is there a wheel I can procure cheaply that'll fit the stock tire?
My body shop is willing to work with me on this, but is looking to me to identify an appriopriate wheel/tire.

Any advice would be helpful......

 

how about the spare tire on back end (only).

 

X 2. The temporary spare is rated to go 3,000 miles before needing replaced, keep it on the rear and remember that the handling will feel kinda "funky", but it'll get the job done.

 

Well this is a first. I have to disagree with sleeper and 843. Using the spare for 2 weeks? Not me. Besides that,what if he has a flat or something.No spare. Sorry but I don't agree w/you guys this time.

 

How is the "plating" from a polished wheel coming off? It's not plated...

I'd tell GIECO to get you a new wheel. That is what your insurance is for. They should not have used a used wheel to begin with. But from what I hear about GIECO, it's normal.......

At this point, I'd look on EBay and just find a replacement wheel, switch it and be done with it. If it wasn't prepared right the first time, odds are this will continue.

 

the factory SS wheel is not plated - it's polished aluminum.

 

OP stated: "The supplier of the wheel will make good by replating the wheel (via a lifetime warranty), but since this is a rare item I have to give up my wheel for a couple of weeks".

Doesn't sound like a stock SS wheel, imo...


firemangeorge-

It's all good..We can't always agree.. & a can of fix a flat is handy, since a spare tire would not have a TPM unit in it ...

 

I read it as a non-stock wheel too sleeper, since the SS wheels are polished and clear coated, not plated. I wonder if the OP has factory alloys with peeling clear coat that he is interpreting as failing chrome plate, just a thought.

And firemangeorge, if somebody didn't disagree with something I've said on occasion, I'd think I was doing something wrong.

 

I was considering that 843, but I didn't think SS rims are that rare, are they ??

 

Yeah, perjhaps it isn't plated. Based on the level of finish (these are the Siamese-spoke wheels) I assumed it was plated. At any rate, the finish is gone, and a replacement is way too expensive.
I'd rathern not run for more than a couple of days with a spare.
I've leaned that the bolt pattern for HHR and Cobaly SS wheels is the sanme as for Malibu and G6. My body man will be able to find me a loaner wheel from one of those models that won't be needing wheels/tires anymore, at no cost to me....