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Having trouble getting tires mounted and balanced

Junkie

Newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
41
I recently purchased a set of wheel smith wheels, powder coated but 4wheel parts and tire rack both wont mount and balance because they are concerned about damaging the wheels. Does anyone know anyone around Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton Florida that will sell me 5 bfg tires and mount and balance them on these wheels? I understand I may need to pay a little extra for care needed to be safe, but never thought I would just get flat out no's.
Thanks!
 

m_m70

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,486
Loc.
Pacifica, CA
what kind of wheels did you get?? assuming just powder coated steel wheels?? Wouldn't think they were that fragile especially going on a 4x4......I would try a local shop (tire and brake) and avoid the large national chains.
And post a link to what wheels you got!
 
OP
OP
J

Junkie

Newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
41
what kind of wheels did you get?? assuming just powder coated steel wheels?? Wouldn't think they were that fragile especially going on a 4x4......I would try a local shop (tire and brake) and avoid the large national chains.
And post a link to what wheels you got!
They are from https://thewheelsmith.net/ - Nothing that fancy about them, except they are custom made. Both places did not want to touch them for "liability reasons". I assume a corporate thing. I would think they could just take there time and be extra careful. Its assume they handle rims way more expensive then these rims.

IMG_7409bc.jpg
 

m_m70

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,486
Loc.
Pacifica, CA
Nothing that fancy about them, except they are custom made
Great looking rims!! I just picked up some original 15" off a '68 that are going to powder Monday.
Both places did not want to touch them for "liability reasons".
Yeah, that sucks but like I said above, see if you can find a local tire place. They may have more experience anyway.
Its assume they handle rims way more expensive then these rims
Gee I would think so....
 
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J

Junkie

Newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
41
Great looking rims!! I just picked up some original 15" off a '68 that are going to powder Monday.

Yeah, that sucks but like I said above, see if you can find a local tire place. They may have more experience anyway.

Gee I would think so....
Those will look sweet. I was also contemplating vintiques, but the 15x8's were universal mounting. Even though I am running 10" caps, I really do not care for all the extra mounting holes so i had to spend the $$ to get custom. Wide likes em', so we are good.
 

1sicbronconut

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
2,424
I mount quite a few tires at work (Ford Technician) and with a good machine it shouldn't be an issue but I've seen and had folks complain about the smallest little nicks that were already there. We had a guy a few weeks ago complain that we bent a wheel by dropping it while it was being mounted we showed him the huge area of curb rash but that didn't cause it to be bent according him it was all our fault, it's the small amount of folks that ruin it for the general public.
 

Speedrdr

Contributor
Learning Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2017
Messages
1,247
Loc.
Paris, MS
I mount quite a few tires at work (Ford Technician) and with a good machine it shouldn't be an issue but I've seen and had folks complain about the smallest little nicks that were already there. We had a guy a few weeks ago complain that we bent a wheel by dropping it while it was being mounted we showed him the huge area of curb rash but that didn't cause it to be bent according him it was all our fault, it's the small amount of folks that ruin it for the general public.
^^^ this!!!!! I’ve had techs at more than one shop tell me they have had to replace rims for scratches, dings…cosmetic issues. I had a set of mag wheels on a car that I told them to.bring me a waiver and I’d sign it. Nope. I took them to a small independent shop and they had no problems with the job. Just went about the job a little slower.

Randy
 

Yeller

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 27, 2012
Messages
6,033
Loc.
Rogers County Oklahoma
My local El Amigo Tire Shop has the most careful techs and has no issues carefully doing anything I need. Even mounted the new shoes on the 20’s on my tow unit. I don’t know of any corporate shop that would have mounted them, don’t know why but all 4 took 160psi to seat the outer bead😱. The owner worked on it for 3-1/2 hours. Some of the little guys do spectacular work and will sell you anything you want or mount whatever you bring them.

I gave them the take offs to sell as a tip for their troubles, I was going to ask $400 on market place for them.
 

MarsChariot

Contributor
Planetary Offroader
Joined
Oct 12, 2004
Messages
2,475
Loc.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Here is what I did with wheels that were both historic and cost 500 each on an unusual Italian sports car. I go to the local tire place and give the guy a 20-30 dollar tip to do the best he can to mount them without damage. They try at least and more often than not they do a fabulous job.
 

Brush Hog

Contributor
Jr. Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
104
Loc.
NorCal
Twice I’ve gone to Americas Tire with my own wheels and purchased tires that they mounted and balanced. They just unboxed the wheels while I watched and made sure they looked ok. No issues with the mounting and balance. Two different shops and both were extremely helpful and friendly. They mounted one tire each time
So I could run home and check the fit. Then did the other 3 when I got back. Think they are called Discount Tire in other places.
 

Glass Pony

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Bronco Guru
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Feb 13, 2012
Messages
1,822
Loc.
Sussex County Delaware
All depends on the skill of the tire tech. I bought a set of Gen 1 Raptor wheels brand new in the box and had my local Goodyear Tire store mount and balance a set of new Nitto's on them. They were able to mount the tires without even removing the fake beadlock ring and didn't put one nick on them.
A couple weeks later I had an issue with one of the valve stems being slow to "air down". I took it back to them and they replaced the valve stem and tpms. That tech nicked the rim all up around the valve stem.:mad:
 

OX1

Bronco Guru
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
3,461
It also depends upon the machine you have. I have an older basic machine (chinese) that I've upgraded with bead rams, bead puller, and center post adapter kit.

20180519_183533.jpg


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20230811_081335.jpg


CENTER%20POST%20ADAPTER%20TIRE%20MACHINE.jpg


But the rams especially, are on large arms that have some play. Occasionally, they move around and could cause some rim damage. Also, the main head is metal and
requires plastic inserts (they do make non metal heads, but mine has the integral bead puller). If the plastic inserts are worn, again, possible damage on outer edge of rim.

The new high end machines have some of these the items on ACME threaded rods, that are solidly mounted, so no flex. They don't use a traditional head, they use a
non-metal disk that can break down bead and/or push down bead for de-mount. Like this

HUNTER%20ACME%20THREAD%20MOUNT.jpg



So yes, you need a good tech who gives a crap about their work, but the newer equipment (if you know how to use it), can greatly reduce rim damage also.
Can ask the place exactly what machine they have, go look it up and see if it appears to be more like this new hunter, than an older POS like mine. :D
 
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