Do any of you have the rock chip problem around the back/gill area? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CamaroDC · 11-13-2015, 09:11 AM

I am a new member and i am ready to pull the trigger on a new Camaro. Problem is i keep hearing about rock chip issues around the rear gills, right in front of the rear wheels. I asked a couple of dealers about it and they all play dumb, but one guy told me its more on the LT models because the tires are a little wider and sling rocks more, the LS models have normal sized tires, wanted to know what kind of experience you have and maybe even some photos.

ELIC1 · 11-13-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDC

I am a new member and i am ready to pull the trigger on a new Camaro. Problem is i keep hearing about rock chip issues around the rear gills, right in front of the rear wheels. I asked a couple of dealers about it and they all play dumb, but one guy told me its more on the LT models because the tires are a little wider and sling rocks more, the LS models have normal sized tires, wanted to know what kind of experience you have and maybe even some photos.

i would worry more about the front bumper.... that will get beat up if this is your DD......

Steve1LE · 11-13-2015, 09:26 AM

I think it's all camaros. On mine you have to get real close to see it but there are tiny white specks but no noticeable chips and I have wide, sticky F1 tires. I have had my car for almost 2 years now and bought it new and this past summer I put rock guards (mud flaps) on but not sure it's helping any. My guess is it is.

Some guys are getting that xpel film put on and that is probably a good idea.

FilibustaRhymes · 11-13-2015, 09:27 AM

Gills and nose will get beat up, yeah. Maybe a "clear bra" type product would help.

myold88 · 11-13-2015, 09:36 AM

I keep checking my '10 SS gill areas. Still chip free after 40,000 miles. My front end
is the same except for 2 or 3 tiny gouge type cuts on the front facia. No chips.
Go figure...

paul84043 · 11-13-2015, 09:40 AM

I never had that issue with my 2SS, just the usual tiny chips from highway driving all over the front. Wheel wells and gill area were pristine after 40,000 miles.
The 1LE, ZL1, and Z/28 do have wider tires and will exaggerate any potential issues.
If it's a concern, buy the rock guard protection kit, there are several available.

Moto-Mojo · 11-13-2015, 09:50 AM

I've never had an issue either. But it was cited as THE reason the gills were removed from the 2016 Gen 6. A mistake, IMO.

JLSuperfly · 11-13-2015, 09:51 AM

I installed mudflaps on my Camaro and it seems to help. I haven't noticed any rock chips along the gills.

Demon War Horse · 11-13-2015, 10:09 AM

I put RPI steal rock guards on mine but I am switching out the fronts to the ones from ZL1addons as they seem to attach better.

Yes, wider tires causes chips in the gill areas.

gajagfan · 11-13-2015, 10:24 AM

The rock chips in the gills are the main reason I wish I would have added a catch can! Happy Friday!

CamaroDC · 11-13-2015, 10:28 AM

i am wondering if this purchase is worth it, i have had a '95, '00, '02 models before so this is new to me (mid life crisis i guess, i'm 40

) - so the front end gets beat up pretty bad huh? i currently have a 2015 Tacoma TRD off road so it would be quite a change, but i want that 300+ horsepower man !

ZED SLED · 11-13-2015, 10:28 AM

I don't worry about it anymore because there's no more paint on the gill area to chip. And I have the rock guards. They have a lot of chips too.

CamaroDC · 11-13-2015, 10:29 AM

its not so much the gills, i think its that wide body design in the back that pretty much is an open canvas for road debris, where do you guys get your mud flaps, the dealer?

CamaroDC · 11-13-2015, 10:30 AM

anyone have any photos of this damage>?

11-13-2015, 09:11 AM	#1
CamaroDC Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Charlotte Posts: 8	Do any of you have the rock chip problem around the back/gill area? I am a new member and i am ready to pull the trigger on a new Camaro. Problem is i keep hearing about rock chip issues around the rear gills, right in front of the rear wheels. I asked a couple of dealers about it and they all play dumb, but one guy told me its more on the LT models because the tires are a little wider and sling rocks more, the LS models have normal sized tires, wanted to know what kind of experience you have and maybe even some photos.

11-13-2015, 09:26 AM	#3
Steve1LE Drives: 2014 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 74	I think it's all camaros. On mine you have to get real close to see it but there are tiny white specks but no noticeable chips and I have wide, sticky F1 tires. I have had my car for almost 2 years now and bought it new and this past summer I put rock guards (mud flaps) on but not sure it's helping any. My guess is it is. Some guys are getting that xpel film put on and that is probably a good idea. __________________

11-13-2015, 09:36 AM	#5
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,116 View My Garage	I keep checking my '10 SS gill areas. Still chip free after 40,000 miles. My front end is the same except for 2 or 3 tiny gouge type cuts on the front facia. No chips. Go figure... __________________

11-13-2015, 09:40 AM	#6
paul84043 Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lehi, Utah Posts: 1,349 View My Garage	I never had that issue with my 2SS, just the usual tiny chips from highway driving all over the front. Wheel wells and gill area were pristine after 40,000 miles. The 1LE, ZL1, and Z/28 do have wider tires and will exaggerate any potential issues. If it's a concern, buy the rock guard protection kit, there are several available. Last edited by paul84043; 11-13-2015 at 10:06 AM.

11-13-2015, 09:50 AM	#7
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,981	I've never had an issue either. But it was cited as THE reason the gills were removed from the 2016 Gen 6. A mistake, IMO. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

11-13-2015, 09:27 AM	#4
FilibustaRhymes Drives: SS Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: USA Posts: 529	Gills and nose will get beat up, yeah. Maybe a "clear bra" type product would help.

11-13-2015, 09:51 AM	#8
JLSuperfly Drives: 2014 Red Hot LS3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,266	I installed mudflaps on my Camaro and it seems to help. I haven't noticed any rock chips along the gills.

11-13-2015, 10:09 AM	#9
Demon War Horse War Horse Pilot Drives: 2017 NFG 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: N.Texas Posts: 2,458 View My Garage	I put RPI steal rock guards on mine but I am switching out the fronts to the ones from ZL1addons as they seem to attach better. Yes, wider tires causes chips in the gill areas. __________________ COTW 09/07/2015 - 2014 AGM 2SS/RS - RIP 6/01/17 2017 Nightfall Gray Metallic 1SS 1LE Born 5/17/17 - *Click Sig Pic below for for Demon War Horse 02 Build Thread* SigPic by Hazman

11-13-2015, 10:24 AM	#10
gajagfan Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Black - Std Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 3,622 View My Garage	The rock chips in the gills are the main reason I wish I would have added a catch can! Happy Friday!

11-13-2015, 10:28 AM	#11
CamaroDC Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Charlotte Posts: 8	i am wondering if this purchase is worth it, i have had a '95, '00, '02 models before so this is new to me (mid life crisis i guess, i'm 40 ) - so the front end gets beat up pretty bad huh? i currently have a 2015 Tacoma TRD off road so it would be quite a change, but i want that 300+ horsepower man !

11-13-2015, 10:28 AM	#12
ZED SLED Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South of Raleigh, NC Posts: 9,486 View My Garage	I don't worry about it anymore because there's no more paint on the gill area to chip. And I have the rock guards. They have a lot of chips too. __________________

11-13-2015, 10:29 AM	#13
CamaroDC Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Charlotte Posts: 8	its not so much the gills, i think its that wide body design in the back that pretty much is an open canvas for road debris, where do you guys get your mud flaps, the dealer?

11-13-2015, 10:30 AM	#14
CamaroDC Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Charlotte Posts: 8	anyone have any photos of this damage>?