how come garages still frequently damage alloys?
Discussion
Not giving a stuff is really what boils down to. Like said above it is a race to the bottom to be competitive in a price sensitive narket which for many are seen as grudge related purchases, this also reflects the number of low end tyres being fitted imo.
Even a well known wheel refurb company failed to a) fit my run flats without damaging them b) failing to balance them properly
Also a number of fitters don't get the importance of the heavy and light spots on the tyre when fitting.
Coming from someone that has just paid £60 a corner for AM works to fit some tyres then I know over the top, but no damage occurred.
To note my run flats on my previous car were 20 inch wheels with 30 and 35 profile tyres, my current one 35 and 40.
Other balancing issue on a previous car was some idiot tyre fitters double sticking weights, not taking note of the heavy and light spots. Failing to realise that it could be sorted easily and the double stacked weights could not clear the caliper...he wanted to put them on the outside...ffs. I forced them to do it properly in the end.
Even a well known wheel refurb company failed to a) fit my run flats without damaging them b) failing to balance them properly
Also a number of fitters don't get the importance of the heavy and light spots on the tyre when fitting.
Coming from someone that has just paid £60 a corner for AM works to fit some tyres then I know over the top, but no damage occurred.
To note my run flats on my previous car were 20 inch wheels with 30 and 35 profile tyres, my current one 35 and 40.
Other balancing issue on a previous car was some idiot tyre fitters double sticking weights, not taking note of the heavy and light spots. Failing to realise that it could be sorted easily and the double stacked weights could not clear the caliper...he wanted to put them on the outside...ffs. I forced them to do it properly in the end.
Edited by Ninja59 on Saturday 8th October 09:43
Edited by Ninja59 on Saturday 8th October 09:45
What's worse is when the lovely layer of brake dust gets ruined by clean patches from them handling the wheels. I have to wash them now, grrrr.
I don't know what's happened to Kwik-Fit in recent years, but my local one did an excellent job yesterday, and they were the cheapest. Car jacked up correctly, wheel bolts not air gunned back on, wheel rims not scratched, tyres not over or under inflated and perfect wheel balancing. I'm shocked!
I don't know what's happened to Kwik-Fit in recent years, but my local one did an excellent job yesterday, and they were the cheapest. Car jacked up correctly, wheel bolts not air gunned back on, wheel rims not scratched, tyres not over or under inflated and perfect wheel balancing. I'm shocked!
The place I use has old school fitters and the place has just celebrated 59 years in buisness!
I've been going there 30 years since I was 17years old.
All their equipment is up to date, they use sleeved sockets and never gun the wheels up, they're all done with a torque wrench.
Damage to alloys occurs when the bead breaker is too close to the wheel. It may sit 3-4 mm off initially but when pressure is put on it they flex which then makes contact with the rim.Sometimes that won't be taken into consideration with an inexperienced fitter.
I've been going there 30 years since I was 17years old.
All their equipment is up to date, they use sleeved sockets and never gun the wheels up, they're all done with a torque wrench.
Damage to alloys occurs when the bead breaker is too close to the wheel. It may sit 3-4 mm off initially but when pressure is put on it they flex which then makes contact with the rim.Sometimes that won't be taken into consideration with an inexperienced fitter.
steveo3002 said:
ive never had lower than a 50 profile yet damaged more often than not
i just dont get how they sell machines that cant do it , its not like its the 50s and im the first guy with an alloy wheel
The machine doesn't fit the tyre ,the man does it with the machine's assistance .i just dont get how they sell machines that cant do it , its not like its the 50s and im the first guy with an alloy wheel
Whilst fitting ,all the machine is doing is holding the wheel tight and rotating .
I have had tyres refitted and only later noticed the machines clamping syatem had left gouges to the inner barrel of the wheel.
Pretty annoying.
Also, why, apart from laziness, when fitting new tyres or rebalancing, do they leave the residue of the old balance weight? You maybe don't notice it on some smaller wheels, but on larger wheels, becomes obvious.
Pretty annoying.
Also, why, apart from laziness, when fitting new tyres or rebalancing, do they leave the residue of the old balance weight? You maybe don't notice it on some smaller wheels, but on larger wheels, becomes obvious.
They can't balance either. I had 2 tyres replaced and had to go to 3 garages before they were properly balanced. Previous tyres were fine, just worn. I also stopped using Kwit Fit mobile because in 3 different tyre replacements they never once balanced the wheels properly and I had to go to a Kwik Fit depot to get it done (company car, lease company uses Kwik Kit).
Forums | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff