You won't believe this SH%T

1982911sc · 06-19-2004, 05:18 PM

OK, I am steaming right now so I will try and write rationally. Partly this is my fault. Ordered some Yoko avs E100s from Tire Rack a month or so ago. I had this "garage" near my house that specializes in BMW and Porsche do the install....he is on Tire Racks Recommended list.

First Sign I should have turned around and left when I walked in the place, the guy that owned the place was RUDE as F%*(, I mean offensive. I figured ok the guy is an ass, so maybe he does good work. I asked him just to mount the tires, and while he had the car up check the tranny fluid.

Came back a few hours later, everything seemed fine. Price was OK, he said he never had the chance to check the fluid, whatever. Same rude motherF(*&

OK, this is the part where I screwed up, I never checked the tire pressure. I figured this guy does this for a living. I checked them for the first time tonight. (again after having them on for a month!)

Front Left at least 90PSI
Front Right at least 90PSI
Both backs at 50PSI

What the hell was this guys problem, I can't believe the fronts never blew up!

Besides, calling this guy and letting him know about his stellar job and Tire Rack to get him off their list, do you think this could have caused long term tire damage? If so I may go after him to replace them.

Sorry for the rant, but just really mad. PM me if you want me to give you more info on the "garage", using the term loosley.

Thanks!

Eric Coffey · 06-19-2004, 05:29 PM

Well, at least you know the front beads are well-seated! That is frustrating to have to deal with, but just be glad your oil lines are not crushed and/or your Fuchs aren't gouged (THEN it would be "go" time). The attitude is definitely not necessary.

One question though: You were going to let a tire shop check your trans. fluid? Yikes.

speedracer · 06-19-2004, 05:30 PM

How many miles have you put on since the tires were changed? If it's been alot I would look for any increased wear in the middle of the tires. I would be really pissed too!

nullh2o · nullh2o's Garage

I always pull into the first gas station after getting new tires mounted to check the pressure. They NEVER get it right- you just need to expect this.
90psi is impressive though

D Hanson · 06-19-2004, 05:37 PM

I'd write a nasty letter and tell him to buy me a new set of tires.

Rondinone · 06-19-2004, 05:43 PM

Definately report him, and have the tires road force tested by another shop. They may be out of round or otherwise damaged. Tires are complicated internally; they're not just baloons. Maybe this guy is pissed because you didn't buy the tires from him directly?

Didn't the car ride a bit harsh?

Beethoven · 06-19-2004, 05:44 PM

You should also check the torque on your lug nuts--my "recommended" tire store put over 300 punds of torque on them.

Ray B · 06-19-2004, 05:45 PM

How about posting the name of the place so others in your area can be informed.

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

I would go to another shop and check if he balanced them properly.

You dont want to have uneven ware on your new tires.

1982911sc · 06-19-2004, 05:53 PM

Sorry, I keep saying Garage, it is actually a full on service shop, very big in my area. Specializes in Air cooled Porsches and all BMW. Not just for tires, that is one his side gigs I guess. The car is very stiff to begin with, so no I didn't notice.....I am going to take for a ride tonight with the correct pressure and see how it feels. I probably put anywhere from 200-250 miles or on them in their PUFFED UP state. PM for the name of the place so you don't make the same mistake!

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Quote:

That is frustrating to have to deal with, but just be glad your oil lines are not crushed

lol...no kidding. Crushed oil lines... broken window switches.. attitude... all are par for the course for some shops. Its probably best to just tell Tire Rack about the guy, as well as telling your friends to avoid him.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Hmm, so that makes two of us -

The shop that mounted my Tire Rack set was off their list.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME THEY PUT THE PAD FOR THE LIFT RIGHT UNDER THE RECIEVER PORT, RIGHT ON THE ROCKER.

I said "are you sure it's ok to lift there?" got a "oh yeah, do 'em there all the time"

Not trying to be a PITA customer I just sit back as they flip the switch and lo and behold, the rocker folds over.

Of course I let fly the obligatory cuss words aimed squarely at the shop's propietor. When that happened I had been a 911 owner for about 72 hours.

Should've known although this local shop was supposedly a speed shop that did a lot esp' with SCCA cars I'd be OK, what should've given it away was the disproportinate amount of ghetto sleds sitting on $300.00 set of wires all over the lot. That in itself tells me he's CHEAP. CHEAP, such is the only way that the ghetto roller guys decide a shop.

Was happy with the brakes and wheel bearing repack, at least the brake guy knew something.

Suspect that all it takes to get added to the service provider list is just a biz license and promises to bend over on the mounting and balancing prices. Nowadays it's easier just to have Discount Tire price guarantee against Tire Rack.

Never again.

Concerning what he did on yours, probably had problems getting the bead to sit, so they overpressure it. They're supposed to reduce the pressure once it's on the car though.

rjp

Randy Webb · 06-19-2004, 06:45 PM

Somebody should let Tire Rack know about this entire thread....

Back to the original post: IT's common to inflate high to make the beads seat & ease leak checks. But 90??? Seems way high.

It is easy to make a minor mistake -- but a minor mistake can have major effects. I would cool off, then go in and talk to the shop owner - try to find out WHY this happened. See how he responds. If poorly, then besides Tire Rack, you will want to contact your state's consumer protection office, and maybe whatever agency in your state does hwy safety. Sounds like he could esaily have killed you.

makaio · 06-19-2004, 06:50 PM

That's why I watch those monkeys like a hawk. Then I always tell them how someone I know had such and such tire shop do his and crushed his oil lines, and how it cost the shop $2000 to fix. That gets thier attention real quick.

TimT · 06-19-2004, 06:53 PM

Quote:

OK, this is the part where I screwed up, I never checked the tire pressure.

You can take this statement and twist it in many directions...

I learned years ago... to check the small stuff...

Having new tires mounted is one of those things where you might want to assure yourself that a proper job was done before you leave the shop.

on-ramp · 06-19-2004, 07:04 PM

i would go back and complain....this could've caused you severe damage if you never checked it and just kept driving.

90psi is 3X recommended pressure. just imagine, the tires could have blown out at highway speeds.

Oldporsche · 06-19-2004, 07:06 PM

This is the reason I own my own tire changer. I have modified it so I can't damage my own Fuchs.

Most tire thumpers are morons in my book.

I would check everything out for damage.

Over/under pressure isn't good, however, its not as bad as a screwed up wheel!

Good luck,
David Duffield

johnnyboy42 · 06-19-2004, 07:56 PM

I just had new rears installed Friday. The shop let me hover over them while they jacked the rear, removed the wheels, beaded the new tires and balanced them. Good show all around, and they even seemed appreciative about my concern. And the tires were even on sale!

johnjr
78 SC Targa

Randy Webb · 06-19-2004, 08:04 PM

I'm not gonna buy my own lift, or my own tire changer - besides the cost, they take up space and are just something else to have to repair, keep rust free & maintain...

But I do take my wheels off and take them dismounted to get tires put on them. And I check the tire Pressures fairly often. I agree re the types of folks who work at tire places -- if they were engineers, they'd have other jobs....

I would Email the tire maker and ask if they can guarantee that no damage to their tire will be done by a 90 psi inflation. Phrase it like that. If they say no problem then it's just the liklihood of killing you. Otherwise it's that + some new tires. I sure wouldn't use a 911 like it is menat to be used if my tires were compromised.

Zeke · 06-19-2004, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Webb
Somebody should let Tire Rack know about this entire thread....

Back to the original post: IT's common to inflate high to make the beads seat & ease leak checks. But 90??? Seems way high.

It is easy to make a minor mistake -- but a minor mistake can have major effects. I would cool off, then go in and talk to the shop owner - try to find out WHY this happened. See how he responds. If poorly, then besides Tire Rack, you will want to contact your state's consumer protection office, and maybe whatever agency in your state does hwy safety. Sounds like he could esaily have killed you.

I agree with the high pressure to seat the beads. Having worked in a tire shop on Saturdays while going to college, I have seen it all. Some tires and rims just aren't meant to go together and it takes a scary amount of air pressure. Once, a race tire got on the wheel crooked and the guy kept airing it until it came off and killed him. I wasn't there, thankfully.

We always left the valve stem core out while inflating the tire and as soon as it popped, we disconnected the clip on air hose. We then installed the core and inflated to the proper pressure.

So, by my standards and training, the guy clearly did not know how to do the work and did not simply make a mistake. As far as the rest of Randy's recommedations, good luck. Even though that high of a pressure is very abnormal, I doubt any long term damage was done. Your word against thiers.

The lesson here is to watch and check as they said. As a former tire changer, I can tell you today's equipment is fantastic. Today's operators are not qualified. I hate tire shops. I know too much to even want to watch.