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How to balance tires

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NHerron

10+ Year Contributor
2,776
58
Nov 5, 2011
Missoula, Montana
So here's my plan.

Buying some bfgoodrich gforce tires, shipping them. Then I take them + old wheel setup to a shop and paying them to mount the new tires.

Here are my questions-

What should I look for in a quality tire mounting shop. I'm thinking of going to a dealer because at least they have trained techs vs weekend mechanics.

How do I know they know what they're doing essentially is my huge concern.

How are our tires balanced? I used the valve stem red dot indexing method plus equal tire beads on my truck but I have no idea about low profile tires...

Any forseen trouble you know to look out for?

Thanks
 
I have mine taken to a specilist as they setup race cars and they say the dots dont actually matter! i dont have them setup now and its fine. make sure they use the protective equipment when removing the tires and installing the new ones! they shuld not scratch the wheels at all on removal and install! if in doubt watch them and take pics of the wheels before to prove the damage was not there! many times i hear people saying they chipped them but wont pay out due to them saying it was already there!
 
This is my line of work. I would go to a tire shop before I go to the dealer (Firestone, discount tire, tire world, etc). Call ahead and let them know what you want (low profile tires balanced with stick-on weights), and any shop that is worth the money will be happy to accommodate you. Expect to pay $50-$100 for a good quality spin balance.
 
^^^ What he said. I'd rather take it to someone whose job it is to do it all day long, because if somethings off they'll probably notice right off the bat. dealers are big enough the low guy on the totem pole in the one mounting and balancing while the higher paid techs are doing actual work on the cars.
 
I'm still old school with a modified manual tire changer and bubble balancer. Works good enough for me.
 
I have mine taken to a specilist as they setup race cars and they say the dots dont actually matter! i dont have them setup now and its fine. make sure they use the protective equipment when removing the tires and installing the new ones! they shuld not scratch the wheels at all on removal and install! if in doubt watch them and take pics of the wheels before to prove the damage was not there! many times i hear people saying they chipped them but wont pay out due to them saying it was already there!

Thanks for the tips- I will keep in mind to be diligent of the condition before and after service

This is my line of work. I would go to a tire shop before I go to the dealer (Firestone, discount tire, tire world, etc). Call ahead and let them know what you want (low profile tires balanced with stick-on weights), and any shop that is worth the money will be happy to accommodate you. Expect to pay $50-$100 for a good quality spin balance.

Call man thanks. I got off the phone with a Les Schwab place and the tech I talked to was more than willing to explain and name the machines used. He even mentioned calibration so I'm pretty happy with that!

^^^ What he said. I'd rather take it to someone whose job it is to do it all day long, because if somethings off they'll probably notice right off the bat. dealers are big enough the low guy on the totem pole in the one mounting and balancing while the higher paid techs are doing actual work on the cars.

Thanks, yeah totem pole business I hear ya

I'm still old school with a modified manual tire changer and bubble balancer. Works good enough for me.

I have heard of such mystical things. I didn't know they exist! Haha. Yeah the only time I've heard of bubble balancing is when I worked on the big rigs I guess that's how the big tires are also done? I don't know for sure.
 
Having worked in service departments for 11 years, if you're truly concerned, go to the dealer. They handle more expensive wheels than the 20 year old kid at firestone for a comparable cost. We were required to have the best hunter machine offered and replace it periodically. You're comparing Outback Steakhouse to Ruth's Chris. If money is your main concern firestone would probably be fine. They're goal is profit only. At the dealer, our surveys directly impacted both our and the owners paychecks. So we couldn't risk you being unhappy. I personally would either go to a performance shop or dealer. Having been in the industry and seen tangible evidence, I would never go to one of the cheaper franchises, they usually don't roadforce the tires and have no requirements for technicians.
 
Having worked in service departments for 11 years, if you're truly concerned, go to the dealer. They handle more expensive wheels than the 20 year old kid at firestone for a comparable cost. We were required to have the best hunter machine offered and replace it periodically. You're comparing Outback Steakhouse to Ruth's Chris. If money is your main concern firestone would probably be fine. They're goal is profit only. At the dealer, our surveys directly impacted both our and the owners paychecks. So we couldn't risk you being unhappy. I personally would either go to a performance shop or dealer. Having been in the industry and seen tangible evidence, I would never go to one of the cheaper franchises, they usually don't roadforce the tires and have no requirements for technicians.
So you're referring to Les Schwab as firestone all being franchises aka not good steakhouse?

Yes I've heard of this road force balancing when I was in tech school, and I'd love to have someone knowledgeable like you setting me up. That's what I'm after!

Would any big car dealer work? Or am I looking for a big gm Ford or dodge place? Then confirm with them first about road force testing etc?

Thanks man I appreciate your reply
 
The dealer I referred to was a mercedes dealer. I also worked for chrysler (same capabilities). If you plan on just bringing the rims/tires in without the car any dealer will work (still bring your VIN and mileage). Although they may look at you like you have 2 heads, a BMW dealer or Mercedes dealer would be best. We had people do that kind of thing all the time. Most technicians won't mind because it's easy hours for them to make plus they don't even have to pull a car in. If you're driving in, go to a Dodge Chrysler Jeep or Mitsubishi dealer. Remember, if you're nice, they're nice. And if they're not, pick someone else. The hardest customers I had to deal with were people those that thought we were out to steal from them. I'd rather spend hours with an enthusiast who spent 100 bucks any day of the week. Tell them you want mounting and balancing with road force and if you have an issue, just tell them. Just as another anecdote, I frequently helped people who had issues with XYZ tire and brake shops and had to come to us to fix it. Did you know most franchises (Jiffy Lube etc) have a hotline for dealers to call after one of their stores screws something up? They literally just pay over the phone with a credit card for their employees screw-ups. So, if you build a relationship it will only help you. I used to give and get people up to 25% off just because they were easy to deal with or an enthusiast like myself. I got my 1991 TSi with 1 owner and 44k miles from a customer just by helping him and chatting about the car, so it goes both ways. Hopefully that gives you some insight. Let me know if your need any insider suggestions or if they tell you something you don't like or w/e. I can usually help no problem.
 
The dealer I referred to was a mercedes dealer. I also worked for chrysler (same capabilities). If you plan on just bringing the rims/tires in without the car any dealer will work (still bring your VIN and mileage). Although they may look at you like you have 2 heads, a BMW dealer or Mercedes dealer would be best. We had people do that kind of thing all the time. Most technicians won't mind because it's easy hours for them to make plus they don't even have to pull a car in. If you're driving in, go to a Dodge Chrysler Jeep or Mitsubishi dealer. Remember, if you're nice, they're nice. And if they're not, pick someone else. The hardest customers I had to deal with were people those that thought we were out to steal from them. I'd rather spend hours with an enthusiast who spent 100 bucks any day of the week. Tell them you want mounting and balancing with road force and if you have an issue, just tell them. Just as another anecdote, I frequently helped people who had issues with XYZ tire and brake shops and had to come to us to fix it. Did you know most franchises (Jiffy Lube etc) have a hotline for dealers to call after one of their stores screws something up? They literally just pay over the phone with a credit card for their employees screw-ups. So, if you build a relationship it will only help you. I used to give and get people up to 25% off just because they were easy to deal with or an enthusiast like myself. I got my 1991 TSi with 1 owner and 44k miles from a customer just by helping him and chatting about the car, so it goes both ways. Hopefully that gives you some insight. Let me know if your need any insider suggestions or if they tell you something you don't like or w/e. I can usually help no problem.

This is great info, I'm really excited about all this, thanks man!

I will send you a PM
 
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