Installing tires

[Aurora40]

With all the talk of what tires to buy, and given that I need tires in the not-to-distant future, I got curious.

Do/did you all just take your car in and get the tires changed? If so, do you drive it around to the bay, or watch it go around? Any special precautions?

Anyone not bring their car in? I have zero intention of taking my car to a tire place and letting them drive it. I plan on bringing in the wheels only, that way the worst they can do is ruin my wheels, poorly mount the tires, and take my money. Anyone else do this?

 

[*89x2*]

I stood right there and watched while the Ye Ole Wheel Shop carefully mouned my tires on my Dymags - As you know, those are not the wheels you want to lay a mark on - guy was overly cautious :cool

 

[Edmond]

I've been pondering the same thing. I'm going to switch from my wheels to black 5 spokes in the spring and I think I'm just going to take the wheels and tires in. I really don't care for other people driving my car...

 

[gmjunkie]

I take mine in to the Only Tire Shop in County has a Hunter GSP 9700 Road Force Balancer!! Only one younger Guy work's on my Vette's I ask for him,He Know's His Sh*t and has not even once put a mark on any of my Wheel's!! junk!!

 

[John Robinson]

Tire Changing

I take mine to a tire dealer that I have dealt with for a number of years. Yes they drive it into the bay, but I stand there and watch. Next I go in open the back compartment and take out the special socket for the locking lug nut. I hand that to the guy working on my car with a $5.00 bill wrapped around it. I make a comment that I am really a sticklier for well balanced tires. At the same time I open the doors the hood and the back hatch. This works well for me as I have seen them balance my wheels then break them down turn them on the rim until they can balance them with the least amount of weight. In fact if they are having trouble with a tire they will go get another one and replace it. Since I am known by this dealer if I have a problem with the balance going bad he will rebalance for free anytime for me.
For that reason I don't haggle price with him he treats me fair and stands behind his service. Sometimes you just can't beat having made a relationship with the people you have do work for you.

 

[jwilliams]

You guys want a perspective from the other side? Perhaps you should look for the shop that has the best SERVICE, and quit whining about the price. You want someone to treat your high dollar investment with care, then quit being cheap. How do you think the tire dealer feels when you buy your tires elsewhere, but you want him to mount them with tender loving care, COME OFF IT. Or you grind him down for every nickel of profit.

No one drives their car into my shop, your not covered by my insurance company to do so.

I see guys constantly complaining about tire stores and mechanics who are all out to get you. PLEASE....is everyone in your chosen profession perfect? Then give it a rest, it gets OLD.

Good help is not cheap, so if you go to the cheapest place, what do you think you're getting?

 

[*89x2*]

...with all due respect, I cannot see anything said in posts above about "whining about the price" :eyerole
I personally interviewed a shop for my service and after they answered my questions to MY satisfaction, they were then allowed to service my cars.

You are right - shop for good service and price will be what it will be


Ohh, FWIW, tire dealers /shops elect to be a part of the mail order "Tire Rack installer network" - they could always opt out if they don't want the $$ - let's see, some money (for mount & balance), or no money, as I will go elsewhere. :cool

You guys want a perspective from the other side? Perhaps you should look for the shop that has the best SERVICE, and quit whining about the price. You want someone to treat your high dollar investment with care, then quit being cheap. How do you think the tire dealer feels when you buy your tires elsewhere, but you want him to mount them with tender loving care, COME OFF IT. Or you grind him down for every nickel of profit.

No one drives their car into my shop, your not covered by my insurance company to do so.

I see guys constantly complaining about tire stores and mechanics who are all out to get you. PLEASE....is everyone in your chosen profession perfect? Then give it a rest, it gets OLD.

Good help is not cheap, so if you go to the cheapest place, what do you think you're getting?

 

[Black Bart]

I always take my wheels in and have them mount the new tires on them.
Makes no difference if you go to a high $$$$$ place or a cheap one they will use an air impact tool to install your wheels. Avoid the damage and remove and replace the wheels yourself.

They have gotten cheaper since I bought mine I bought when they first hit the market but I paid $ 660.00 for two tires
315x35x17 G-Force KD's Then I paid for mounting and balancing on top of the tire price. Don't sound like cheap tires to me.

 

[atmmac]

I had sears mount my tires on my new rims. Guy could not have done a better job and was very friendly. I stayed and watched only because i didnt wanna go home then come back in half an hour.

 

[jwilliams]

...with all due respect, I cannot see anything said in posts above about "whining about the price" :eyerole

No, you are correct for this thread. Can't tell ya how many I've read on this forum though whining about paying others a fair price to work on their car. Working on your corvette is not like doing tire work on a Toyota Camry with steel wheels, and the price should reflect the specialty work that it is.

As far as Tire Rack's installer list, I don't recall seeing many around here talk about using one of these installers. And since we're on this subject. Why would/should a shop work on your car for the little amount of labor that most people think is a "fair" amount. If we damage one wheel, we just lost our a$$ on your vehicle. What's the point. As far as your idea of "some money" keep it. Are you gonna let the shop slide if they damage on of your high dollar tough as hell to replace wheels on your Callaway? So why on earth would a shop want the liability of your wheels for 50 to 75 bucks?

Take a lesson from the guy who gives a tip to the installer with the wheel lock, show a little gratitude and respect to the installers, it'll get ya a long way. And it doesn't have to be a monetary tip, just a little respect, just like you want shown to your car or wheels.

 

[*89x2*]

Are you gonna let the shop slide if they damage on of your high dollar tough as hell to replace wheels on your Callaway? So why on earth would a shop want the liability of your wheels for 50 to 75 bucks?

...the shop that just mounted my tires (from the Tire Rack) was up to speed on how difficult the wheels would be to replace / repair if damaged - they only let the one fella who knows and cares for these types of rims do the job - which I appreciate :cool

He took total care and while I paid about 80 bucks for the mounting and balancing, it did hardly seem like enough - it took about an hour - hour & a half :eek

The guy even said he would not let the others do the work - they are good w/ steel wheels and some alumn. truck wheels - I presume, one that already show marks...

I know what you are saying though - I do not shop for just price alone. As I said before, Service, and the price will be what it will be :cool

 

[Aurora40]

As far as Tire Rack's installer list, I don't recall seeing many around here talk about using one of these installers. And since we're on this subject. Why would/should a shop work on your car for the little amount of labor that most people think is a "fair" amount. If we damage one wheel, we just lost our a$$ on your vehicle. What's the point. As far as your idea of "some money" keep it. Are you gonna let the shop slide if they damage on of your high dollar tough as hell to replace wheels on your Callaway? So why on earth would a shop want the liability of your wheels for 50 to 75 bucks?

What the hell man? If a price isn't worth the liability, don't do the work. But don't do a crappy job of it. That's no way to earn customers. I'm not trying to get the lowest price, I'd rather get my wheels back undamaged. But simply paying more won't insure that will happen, will it. What percentage of wheels do you have to damage that it's not worth the liability? I don't want a replacement in the event of damage, I want my wheels back undamaged.

In reference to this thread, what's the application of your perspective, that I should bring my car in, instead of just the wheels, and then pay the guy extra not to treat my car poorly? That's ridiculous.

By the $50 to $75 bucks, do you mean total, or per wheel? I've been looking at $50 per wheel prices, plus $20 per for road-force balancing. Do you consider that cheap if I bring my own tires? I'd be happy to buy tires from a shop if they could even come within 10-15% of TireRack's pricing including shipping. But no place seems to want to. I'm all for paying for service. Put a fair price on the installation, where you won't feel like doing a half-assed job, and then what do you care who's tires they are? If it's a fair price it's a fair price and I'm happy to pay it for quality work. I shouldn't have to bend over on the tires just to get my wheels back in decent shape.

 

[speedmaster4]

i would not dream (nightmare ?) of taking my vette in to get the undergoodies crunched by a this-looks-ok-to-me who doesnt own any wrench that isnt air driven and then wastes my time trying to oversell me cause he's paid on commission

 

[kenwa]

For many years (long before I got a Vette), I've been taking all my cars to a fairly large independent garage for all my car repairs. They have ASE certifications a mile long, members of BBB and the Chamber of Commerce, etc. And they know their stuff. Once in a while I don't do what they recommend and I generally regret it. The bottom line is that I've gone to them long enough to be able to trust them. They are not cheap but they do a good job. Turns out they are also a Tire Rack recommended installer. So I had the Goodyears drop shipped there. $15 a tire for installation including road force balance. I don't watch them drive either. Usually I drop the Vette off the night before and throw the keys in the drop box.

Test out the people who service your cars by letting them work on your truck or Camry several times. Go for reliable service at a reasonable (not cheap) price. Then when they prove themselves, let them fix the Vette and don't get paranoid.

Ken

 

[Edmond]

So why on earth would a shop want the liability of your wheels for 50 to 75 bucks?

I dunno, I guess because it's part of the profession? I mean, police officers get paid what they get paid and they have the liability of being killed or sued. If you don't like your job, quit it.

Is it too much to ask that people do what we pay them to do and not damage our personal property?

 

[tyrel]

Tire shops deal with tires day in and day out every day, all day long, seven days a week. It's what they do. Their business goal is to get you new tires and get you out the door. They don't have time to joyride your car, so you don't have to worry about someone driving your car around, unless you're terrified about them driving it onto the lift, which is the only place they'll take it. Some of you guys need to lighten up. If you're so afraid of someone damaging your wheels, then buy your own mounting and balancing machine and do it yourself at home. I worked in a tire store years ago, believe me their goal in life isn't to damage your wheels. When customers like that walked in the door I pointed to the sign that said "we reserve the right to refuse service" and sent them out the door. I can only imagine what some of you guys are like when you have to drop your car off at the mechanic.

 

[douglas foster]

father & son

Tire shops deal with tires day in and day out every day, all day long, seven days a week. It's what they do. Their business goal is to get you new tires and get you out the door. They don't have time to joyride your car, so you don't have to worry about someone driving your car around, unless you're terrified about them driving it onto the lift, which is the only place they'll take it. Some of you guys need to lighten up. If you're so afraid of someone damaging your wheels, then buy your own mounting and balancing machine and do it yourself at home. I worked in a tire store years ago, believe me their goal in life isn't to damage your wheels. When customers like that walked in the door I pointed to the sign that said "we reserve the right to refuse service" and sent them out the door. I can only imagine what some of you guys are like when you have to drop your car off at the mechanic.

took my tires to discount tire, great service,price,quality care,but i did add a 10$ bill to the installer's personal fund, to insure quality care. installed Falken's p255/50/16 $401.00 complete, for an 84 on a tight budget could not pass up. they look great,and they tell me i will be very happy with their performance.

 

[Black Bart]

Tire shops deal with tires day in and day out every day, all day long, seven days a week. It's what they do. Their business goal is to get you new tires and get you out the door. They don't have time to joyride your car, so you don't have to worry about someone driving your car around, unless you're terrified about them driving it onto the lift, which is the only place they'll take it. Some of you guys need to lighten up. If you're so afraid of someone damaging your wheels, then buy your own mounting and balancing machine and do it yourself at home. I worked in a tire store years ago, believe me their goal in life isn't to damage your wheels. When customers like that walked in the door I pointed to the sign that said "we reserve the right to refuse service" and sent them out the door. I can only imagine what some of you guys are like when you have to drop your car off at the mechanic.

Well you do make one good point and that is buy your own equipment but sometimes that is just not practical.
In the six years that I have owned my current Corvette I have done extensive modifications and I do all of my own work. Their has been two occasions where I hired work done. One was for a four wheel alignment and I didn't want to spend $50,000.00 for alignment equipment so I hired it done. He done a good job but when he finished he took it for a drive funny thing is he didn't need to test the car that he did ahead of mine. when he saw the supercharged and Nitrous injected 455 in it he had to test it. Only other time was when I bought new ring & pinion gears and needed a special tool to spread the case on the dana-44 to install the new gears. So I took it to my local Chevy dealer and specified what mechanic I wanted to do the work. He is good but he has a drag car and I knew that when my car was finished he would have to try it so I programed the Gen.-7 DFI to cut the injectors off at 2300 rpm. This would keep him from blasting it through the gears but still allow him to drive up to 90 mph to test for hum in the gears. When I picked up my car he said that I had a problem with it. He said it wouldn't run for
sh&t. So your advice about they don't want to take your car out and beat the hell out of it depends somewhat on what you drive. I had a 8am appointment but they left my car parked in front all day and people pulling in to park threw their doors into the side of my car and chipped the doors so the total cost of getting the gears installed was $1000.00 labor for the install and another $800.00 to repaint the doors. I could not prove that the chips were not their when I arrived. I could have saved money by buying the special tool and do it myself. I did learn from it. I have a show car and keep it flawless so if I have to take it to someone for repairs I will have the shop foreman to do a walk around and make notation on work order of any flaws he can find and their is none. When I pick up my car we will check it again and if they have damaged it they will be responsible. If they don't agree to it thats fine with me I'll just go elsewhere because if he don't want to do that what he is telling me is he don't have faith in their ability to repair ir without doing damage to it and that means I don't want them working on it. Like Edmond said why is it too much to expect that they exercise a little care and not destroy your pride and joy while left in their care. If you think I sound paranoid maybe so but with my personal experience and all the horror stories that I have heard about why wouldn't I be.

 

[Aurora40]

Tire shops deal with tires day in and day out every day, all day long, seven days a week. It's what they do. Their business goal is to get you new tires and get you out the door. They don't have time to joyride your car, so you don't have to worry about someone driving your car around, unless you're terrified about them driving it onto the lift, which is the only place they'll take it. Some of you guys need to lighten up

So is it your contention that cars and wheels never get damaged from service stations? If that's been your experience, consider yourself extremely lucky. They don't have to go for a joy-ride to damage a car. Anything from lifting it wrong to ruining leather with grease and dirt. And it's not hard to find wheels that have been damaged from tire mounting and unmounting. No one suggested people try to intentionaly damage anything, but damage happens all the same.

It's telling that you would refuse service to anyone who cared about damage to their property.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

I guess that I am lucky. I have access to all of the best equipment so I mount and balance all of our car’s tires and do my own alignments as well. If I were doing this work for someone else $50 per wheel would not be nearly enough.


The local Honda shop marked both wheels on the St-1300 on the first tire change and refussed to even touch up the marks in the powder coating.ad This is after I bought 3 $15000+ bikes from them in 3 years and having them do all of the warranty period service work, (oil change, brakes, etc.,) which averaged well over $100/month. Guess who will never see me in their showroom again.

To put my money where my mouth was one of my wife´s Xmas presents was a motorcycle; a Yamaha!