DEBrahms

Just received four new 2-3/4" whitewall Diamond Back radials for my '58. On DB's Web site, in their printed catalog, and on the tire packaging itself, they go to extreme lengths to explain how NOT to handle these whitewalls and the consequences of mishandling them. Now I'm half-scared to let a tire place mount, balance, and handle them.

How have you guys dealt with your tire guys? Do you ask them nicely to be careful? Do you hang around and look for potential mishandling? I love these new tires, but I don't want to see them get messed up, PLUS I don't want to get kicked out of the tire shop for being an overbearing jerk.

Is there a special tire mounting machine adapter or protector that they use for wide whites? Have any of you had a bad experience getting your wide whites mounted?

Dave

Hitch

Watch em like a hawk.. If they will not let you in the work bay find another shop...

David

verle

I found several tires shops that have tire machines that mount tires without damaging the tire or the wheel.

Go to a local cruise and ask owners there, they will know.

mcb55-210

I had Diamondback Wide Whites installed on the rims of my '37 Chevy. First of all, the guy at the shop knows I am a bit **** about things, so he knew I would expect a professional outcome. And I was very satisfied. Tell your installer exactly what you want, and ask him if he can provide the service. More times than not, a shop will use a bit more caution if expectations are known.

Good luck-mine are 6 years old, about 15,000 miles on them, and the white is still white. Use Simple Green as suggested and you will have years of true whitewall tires.

Jeff Garner

A friend does mine at the local tire/mechanic shop while I help out. He knows how I am, respects my cars, and is very careful. Just last week had some Cragar S/S's mounted and not a scratch on tires or wheels. So, it can be done carefully without damage.
We do get some mouth from the regular tire mounting guy at the shop because I don't let him do it, but I've seen how he treats other peoples cars at the shop.
I also load my tires and wheels in my pickup, so I don't have to bring the car in.
Just insist on being careful with your expensive tires and insist on being in the shop when it's done and not in the customer waiting room.

db59

I just did this myself with my new DB tires last month, looks AWESOME! I made sure they knew I needed an experienced tech because I just painted the wheels too. I was able to "help" carry in the new tires and wheels so I just hung out while they mounted and balanced the new tires. My guy was able to mount the tires without using the machine, did it by hand and made it look really easy. He was aware of how to handle wide whites so mine turned out great!

Frankie the Fink

I use Discount Tire and the guys there have been great. I pull the car in and out and they use the front bay where I watch the process and I tell them what I want and expect beforehand.

65 vette dude

I have had good luck going to shops that their main business is selling custom wheels. They seem to have mounting equipment that doesn't damage their customers expensive new rims, and their techs seem to take extra care when mounting and balancing tires.

Oz's 59

Agree with everything here... I did a Road Force balance this time out (2nd set of DB's) and it's even better than my last set (they were 8-years old & still ‘looked’ like new).

*What is everyone running for tire pressure (DB wants it high to protect the white walls)??? I'm running 32lbs, I didn't like the way my ‘59 handled with 35lbs.

MCMLXI

my guy was very careful with mine - and took great care not to stack them - as the black from the inside of the tire can stain the whitewalls - he was also able to install the correct valves stems - and correctly mounted the weights on the inside of the rims

DEBrahms

Blu72, which are "the correct valve stems"? What should I specify? Thanks.

Dave

waltonb123

What size is the largest tire you can put on the original 15x5 rims?
I'm going to Carlisle next week hoping I can get a deal on tires.
I sold my Goodrich tires and Rally's off the care last night. Now I'm sitting on jack stands till I get back!

MCMLXI

Hi Dave - I used these from Corvette Central - they are long enough to extend past the stock hub caps - and not too wide to scrape on the inside of the hub cap hole:

Item# 642119 - $7.95 for a set of 5 - just in case you need one for the spare tire

Kevin

Kerrmudgeon

Nothing special required, just ask the tire place not to stack them, even for a minute, and to soap up the beads before mounting them so no small tears happen.

Oz's 59

I have been running 215/70R15" Firestone Indy 500 Firehawks (w/2.5"ww) from Diamond Back for 8-years now on my '59... I like them so much I just received another set that I had installed a few weeks ago ($916 w/freight). *Please remember; for most of us these aren’t “daily drivers” so we won’t wear out our tires, but age plays a big role in tire life so 8-10 years MAX before updating (even if they still “LOOK” new). Also the preferred method of balancing is with a "lug-centric" centering system (rim bolt holes) & not the usual center-hole & cone centering system.

waltonb123

I'm not familiar with "lug centric". How is spin balancing?

Oz's 59

It's still a spin balance... it's HOW the rim is mounted to the machine. Using the 5-mounting holes on the rim instead of the large center hole is more 'true'. Ask around your area for a "Road Force" balance machine &&& more importantly, someone that know how to use it. Good Luck.

JohnZ

It's easier to go to www.gsp9700.com (Hunter Engineering) and use the locator feature to find the shop/dealer nearest you that has a GSP-9700 Road Force balance machine.

waltonb123

Got it, I found several thanks!

Oz's 59

I agree with John, that's the best way to find a machine, I found many in my area BUT... after talking to a few of those shops it became very clear to me that there were only (maybe) two shops that 'really' had the proper training on HOW to use it correctly. Like I said "Good Luck". BTW; to mount 4-tires then perform this type of balance runs between $140-$185 in my central NY area (you’re paying for that special machine & that ‘proper’ training).