Paul L

As noted in another thread I am gearing up for the driving season to come in 5-6 weeks. I have the tire and wheel combination shown below and they have to be put together and balanced. And I want the job done right with no damage to those wheels. What machine should I look for in a shop to ensure that the metal is not warped or damaged? My inclination is to go to the GM dealer where I used to work. They have a fairly advanced Hunter setup. But they are not tire/wheel specialists. Does that sound like a good choice? What are the possibilities of fouling up this type of job?







[Modified by paul67, 2:26 PM 3/14/2004]

JRD77VET

Hi Paul,

The garage I go to, Phoenix Auto Center in Palm,PA just got brand new tire changer and balancer.

The tire changer grabs the rim from the inside and simmontaniously breaks the top and bottom bead while the tire rotates. Never actually touches the rim.

The balancer is a Road Force balancer. You can measure the run out of the rim verses the runout in the tire and match for the best balance.

May be overkill for your driving style ( unless you have a vibration you can't find) but it makes a big difference on the C5 race cars that do over 150 mph on the track regularly.

I will call Kurt tomorrow to find out the name and model of the tire changer.

:seeya Jeff

Paul L

Thanks Jeff. No rush on this.

norvalwilhelm

Alot depends on the operator. An old machine will do the job fine if the operator is careful. Our local garage's tire changer is over 15 years old but the guy throws his shop coat over the machine before gripping my rims. He then sets the arm so it is about 1/8 th from the rim so nothing is touched.
I like a place that will let you watch, stand right there and watch. Dropping them off at a dealer where some kid takes it to the back of the shop is not my idea of a good idea. I carry the rims and tires to the machine, stand and watch and the guy knows that I care about my rims.
Once again I go for the operator before the machine. Pick a small place that will let you stand right there and watch. If not go someplace else.

turtlevette

put them on yourself. I put 255/60/15s on my slotted aluminum wheels.

With that huge sidewall on your tire they should be rather plyable and easy to put on.

i don't bother to balance my wheels. don't care for the look of the ugly weights and inside balance stick on weights will come off. A good wheel and tire should not be that out of balance anyway.





[Modified by turtlevette, 3:41 PM 3/14/2004]

Paul L

The people at the GM dealer are old friends. I can stand right beside the machine if I wish. It's just that they tend to volume installs and are rushed. There are no specialists: all the technicians do their own tire work. I may speak with them this week and see if there is a quiet time. There is one fellow who I know will take good care.

Paul L

I hesitate to trust myself and I don't have the tools for that type of work.

JRD77VET

Here's the "trick" for keeping the stick on weights on the inside of the rim.

Before you begin, the inside of the rim should be dirt free clean.

Place aluminum tape over the stick on weights. This is thin tape which has a peel off backing. Cut it with scissors to cover the weights by 1/2" all around.


:seeya Jeff

norvalwilhelm

put them on yourself. I put 255/60/15s on my slotted aluminum wheels

I agree with turtlevette. I have installed lots of tires with just dish soap, a rugged floor and a few flat irons. New installations walk on easily with only a little force from the tire iron near the end.
I do believe in balancing.
If you know the guys one of them might do it for you at a quiet time and if it is for a friend he will be extra careful.
Bring it to my shop. I will throw a blanket over the machine and my arm automatically backs off from the rim about 1/8 for touch free installation :lol: :lol:
double click to enlarge



[Modified by norvalwilhelm, 3:30 PM 3/14/2004]

Paul L

You never cease to amaze me with your equipment!

JRD77VET

Hi Paul,

I stopped at the garage on my way home. The equipment is:

tire changer
Hunter Evo Series Model 3500 This unit has independant arms top and bottom to break the bead without actually touching the rim. Rim is held from the inside.

tire balancer
Hunter Road Force Balancer Model GSP9700 This unit does conventional spin balancing and also road force balancing.

The cost of these two unit was $35,000. They are top of the line units.

:seeya Jeff

NHvette

$35K That sure beats the $35 I paid for my manual tire changer from Harbor freight.
I would have a pro do my new aluminum rims, though. :yesnod:
:seeya