Mount and Balance

[hi_psi_dsm07]

Would you guys trust wal-mart mounting and balancing your tires? I have 18" Enkei wheels and don't want someone to bi*** them up. Just wondering if it's worth the $3.50 a wheel.

 

[plymubishi]

I personally would take them to an actual shop. I wouldn't trust Wal-Mart with my go-cart tires-or Pep boys,Advance,etc. Especially since your not exactly talking about some stock steel wheels with hubbies, an actual shop would take better care of your stuff as to not scratch anything or rip the bead or any stupidness.

 

[jjgrizz73]

Even though you may pay like 80-90$ for mounting and balancing at a shop its worth it. Wal-Mart would probably end up marking up the wheels, esp if they are chrome or have a polished lip. I say if you got new wheels and spent the money on them you should probably finish the job and get the mounted by a good shop. Goodluck man

 

[hi_psi_dsm07]

Thanks guys, I just wanted a second opinion. I'll probly take them to the local speed shop.

 

[dieseltech]

Be very specific when you ask them to balance your tires. Ask them if they have the proper equipment so they don't scratch your rims. Also make sure they have a balancer that allows them to put the weights on the inside of your rim. Good luck!

 

[plymubishi]

Be very specific when you ask them to balance your tires. Ask them if they have the proper equipment so they don't scratch your rims. Also make sure they have a balancer that allows them to put the weights on the inside of your rim. Good luck!

Its called a static balance if I remember correctly. Or you could try your luck with the stick on weights. Worked great on my Escort, flew right off the plymubishi.

 

[Defiant]

It'd depend on your local Wal*Mart, and the kind of guy working the machine. If he's good, if they have fresh equipment, and if he just gives a shit, he can do a fine job, just as easily as a crank-nosed dork at the best custom shop in town can run a dick through your custom wheels.
Ask to see the guy work, and to see the equipment he's working with.

 

[Cs4g63]

Same thing as Defiant said. I knew guys in my high school auto shop that could do better work than the jacka$$es at the local shops. It just depends on the guy doing the work.

 

[hi_psi_dsm07]

Called the Wal-mart today and they can only do up to 17" wheels, so to the speed shop it is.

 

[hi_psi_dsm07]

Just got back from the shop, they did a wonderful job, thanks for the quick replies.

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

3.50 a wheel? Thats nuts, I may go speak to them

 

[hi_psi_dsm07]

I could be wrong about that, I'm not totally sure, but I do know it was really cheap.

 

[MollEclipse]

if you want try sears. i konw they will replace your wheel if they f up so try there a little more $ but good work

 

[Defiant]

And there you go. Out here, I'd not let Sears ever touch another car I own since one of their techs in Vallejo just about incinerated my roadster while "testing" the alternator in '77. We had a Good Year in Napa that was keen on installing core alternators as "new". And then there was the Napa Big O that replaced a Fulda Y-2000 with a blister in its sidewall for free, and within ten minutes. And, hand-torqued the studs.
You just can't depend on blanket classifications. Well, other than Newbie posters, of course. We all know what all of them are like.

 

[MollEclipse]

it depends on your local sears cause i know where i work i do the job right. But when a shop does $15,000 worth of work in one day some ones bound to mess somthing up. Every shop has there stories of mess up but that is 1/1000.
I would say its all about your experience with a shop. to get a feel of the shop, stand out there and watch them. There not gonna mess up if they take there time and know that you are really in love with your car. And ask if any of them have a DSM or post on dsmtuners. Thats how you find a good mechanic. And when you get one that you like ask for him next time. Just my 2 cents