2 New Tyres now car pulls to right

[RobinChelt]

Looking for some advise. I was unfortunate enough to develop two punchers today one on the front passenger tyre and the other on the rear on the drivers side. Call out to the RAC followed by a trip to the local tyre garage. Arrived 30mins before the advertised closing time but told they will be closing in 10 mins but could fit me it.

I was not really in a position to do anything but to let them go ahead. They then start to frantically jack up the car in the car park, with some formula one speed, each tyre was done in under 5 mins, so 10 mins later I had two new tyres and £200 lighter the pocket.

They replaced the tyres as is so I have new tyres on front passenger and rear driver side, not ideal as I like new tyres to be paired ideally!

Now I start to drive home and the car is now pulling to the left and even on a straight road the steering wheel wont sit straight as it had done before! Have the tyres been fitted poorly?

I stopped straight away when the flats occurred so hopefully no damage done.

Should I take the car back to the garage?

[sparks_E46]

It needs tracking, should be about £40-£50.

[Pistonheader101]

Were the wheels balanced correctly?

[RobinChelt]

Pistonheader101 said:

Were the wheels balanced correctly?

All they did was jack up the car in the carpark and change the wheels? So I am guessing possibly not?

Also should I get them to swap the wheels around so the new tyres are both on the front or back?

[ruhall]

Much depends on what sort of tyres have been fitted. Presumably the same size front/rear? What are the tread depths on the 2 original tyres still on the car. Are they same make/spec as other tyres?

If it was okay before, just changing the tyres shouldn't affect the tracking.

The first thing I would do is to put both new tyres on the same axle. Which one depends on what your original tyres are like and what car it is.

Are the pressures correct? Uneven pressures across the front axle won't help. (nb, it's puncture)

[Dan_The_Man]

Jack up the passenger side and swap the new front tyre to the rear that way you will have two matching good tyres at the back.

[cuprabob]

Double check the tyre pressures.

It could just be down to mis-matched tyres. Personally I would pair up the new tyres on one axle.

[RobinChelt]

Thanks for the advice, it sounds like they have rushed the job. Jacking up in the carpark was probably not a good sign.

Both the remaining tyres have about 7k on town driving.

Just not sure if I should take it back to this garage or my usually dealership. I felt totally rushed today.

[GreenV8S]

Make sure the pairs of tyre on each axle are the same type, condition and pressure. If it's a directional design, make sure they have the correct orientation.

If that's all fine, get the geometry checked.

[Dave.]

What caused the punctures? Nails or potholes?

[RobinChelt]

Dave. said:

What caused the punctures? Nails or potholes?

Nails strewn across the road deliberately by the looks of it. Luckily only two tyres were punchered.

I have driven over some very potholed roads recently but I would expect to have seen an impact before on the driving before.

[227bhp]

Punctures.

Punchers:

Edited by 227bhp on Saturday 9th March 23:51

[Tony1963]

I’d pay to watch someone damage a car tyre with a punch!

[stevemcs]

One tyre is a larger diameter than the other - assuming one is worn and one is brand new

[ninjag]

stevemcs said:

One tyre is a larger diameter than the other - assuming one is worn and one is brand new

^ This is my thinking also, plus tyre pressure is probably different on new tyre compared to old one.