Tyre Fitters!!

[black fingernail]

I have just had a bust up at my usual, and formally trusted tyre fitting place. It is an independent with just a couple of branches.
I really was that customer from hell, this is really out of character for me, I'm usually laid back and chilled, until this happened, Is it me being picky? you decide.
I have been using this place for a few years and have been completely satisfied, until this occasion. The staff has changed since the last time I used them.
I will add that I am a time served mechanic, auto, marine, plant. now past retirement age.
SWMBO ordered, on line, a pair of rear tyres for the Broomstick, with an assured fitting slot two days later. That was last week, the tyres arrived today, I only found this out by contacting them, even though they said they would contact me. They said they would fit them this afternoon, no apologies.
I turned up and had to wait for a couple of jobs to be done before me, then, the lad @ mid 20's, shoved a jack straight under the middle of the rear, 'what are you jacking up on' I asked, 'the axle' he replied, 'it hasn't got one', I said, 'that's it there', he said, indicating the diff, 'no, it isn't really suitable there, I'd rather you lifted it on the proper jacking points on the sills' said I, he actually argued about it, 'it's fine there, I've done lots of bigger beemers than this, he said, I replied, 'maybe so, but the owners obviously did not know the damage you were doing,' at this point his older colleague stepped in and said 'just do as the gentleman asked, and use the sill pads', he thought I missed the eye roll! the young lad, obviously did not like losing face, but did as I asked.
He started undoing the wheel bolts, as he removed the first one, he bashed it on the ground to remove it from the socket, I then said 'let me see that socket' he handed it to me, it was an 18mm! 'what the hell are you doing!, the bolts are 17mm!' I was now not happy, I shouted to his mate, 'take over this, or I'm leaving, this kid is incompetent and is not working on this car!'
There was a bit of an argument between them, and he took over, no apology though. The older guy then started changing the tyres, 'will you make sure the spots line up with the valves, please, and fit short motorcycle valves as well, please,' I asked nicely, thinking he knew what he was doing, I got more condescending drivel back, 'it makes no difference where the spots are, if you don't like where they are, I'll clean them off', 'why do you think they are there, then', I asked, some sort of quality control, I think, was his answer. I was now bursting! I controlled myself, and watched the rest of the process until he got the wheels on. I told him I was not happy, with both service and skill levels, in no uncertain terms! I paid the bill, then I told them I'll contact their main branch in Exeter pointing out their collective incompetence, followed by trading standards.
Is it me being that miserable old git, or are unqualified, ignorant wannabees in most tyre fitting bays, or is it just rife in the South West.

 

[t-tony]

It is time some of these idiots did their jobs properly, just for good measure did he torque the wheel bolts properly or, as per normal, make sure they were overtightened by the impact wrench by the torque wrench never moving? This is my pet hate in tyre shops.

Tony.

 

[Jam03]

Most people, even those that really care about their cars don’t know exactly how these jobs get done so they wouldn’t know what damage was being done. Call them out so that they train their staff properly.

 

[t-tony]

Tyre fitters are trained to do the job properly, it's just that it takes too long and so management allow corners to be cut to save time. Also appearances can be deceptive, hence the "sham" of using a torque wrench where it looks to the untrained eye that they're doing a good job. I had 2 new tyres fitted on Shirl's car the other week and the lazy idiot left them set at 40 psi, if I hadn't expected as much and had checked them when I got home the centres of those tyres would've soon been worn out.

Tony.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Lazzzydog]

I've used the same sole trader tyre guy for over 30 years on trucks cars and motorbikes.

 

[Nodzed]

It is time some of these idiots did their jobs properly, just for good measure did he torque the wheel bolts properly or, as per normal, make sure they were overtightened by the impact wrench by the torque wrench never moving? This is my pet hate in tyre shops.

Tony.

Ohhhhh thats my pet hate Tony.

 

[black fingernail]

Unfortunately, SWMBO is working evenings (hotel management), so I cannot catch the car until Thursday, I will then be testing the torque settings and pressures. I have already contacted their main branch, I really don't think anything will be done, reading between the lines, they can't get staff.
I was properly cracking walnuts last night.
Anyway... all calm now, Thanks Synclare, I am looking forward to meeting you all at Zedfest, but you must bear in mind, I am not responsible for SWMBO in any way!!

 

[Synclare]

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[bombur]

spots and lining up valves...learn something new everyday

 

[t-tony]

Just to add some background to the "coloured dots" , in case you didn't know.



Tyres Explained: Red Dot vs Yellow Dot!
POSTED ON APRIL 13, 2021 BY TYRE BAY DIRECT
Have you ever noticed red or yellow dots on the sidewall of a new tyre?

It seems that, although some people work within the industry, not many are aware of the function of these dots. By understanding what they’re for and how to use them properly, your garage can save money and do a more professional job for your customer.
The explanation…
On the sidewall of most new tyres are red and yellow painted dots. If these marks are aligned with particular points on the wheel, you will reduce the amount of weight required for balancing. The less lead weight used, the lower the cost of wheel balancing and the higher the profit on the job.
The Yellow Dot
When tyres are made, they are almost never perfectly balanced, and most manufacturers will place a yellow dot on the section of the tyre where there is least weight. When fitting a tyre, you should line up this yellow dot with the valve stem as this is the heaviest point of the wheel. By aligning the lightest spot on the tyre with the heaviest point on the wheel, the tyre/wheel balance is as close to optimal as can be. So, you won’t use as many weights around the wheel to balance out the tyre and wheel. Fewer weights make for a more balanced wheel, which then means a quieter, more comfortable ride, and a longer-lasting tyre.
The Red Dot
In the same way that tyres are never perfectly balanced from the manufacturer, tyres are never perfectly round either, even when new. They have high and low points which occur where the belts are joined, and these points can cause vibrations when a tyre is rolling. The red dot indicates the tyre’s high point. Most of the time a wheel will also have a dot—either a drilled dot or a sticker to indicate its low point; if you have these marks, you should align the red dot with the mark on the wheel and ignore the yellow dot. By doing this you minimise the vibration caused by the high point of the tyre
Red over Yellow
If both red and yellow dots are visible on your tyre and you don’t have any dots or marks on your wheel, red takes precedence over yellow and you should align the red dot with the valve stem. Cancelling out the high point takes precedence over the lightest point of the tyre, which can be addressed with wheel weights.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

Every day is a school day. Cheers Tony.

 

[Nodzed]

I haven't seen these on new tyres for years now on either my Zeds or company cars so I am assuming the fitters rub them off when fitting. So how would you know if they have fitted the correctly if that's the case?

 

[t-tony]

Answer is, you don’t. On the other hand rubbing them off most likely means the tyres weren’t fitted correctly, an easy way to tell is look how much balance weight has been added and if the majority is opposite the valve.

Tony.

 

[JimS]

None of the four original tyres on my 330e are lined up correctly (white dot to tyre valve), and that's from the factory. It always annoys me when I clean the car that they weren't installed 'correctly'. As does the long line of balance weights on two of the wheels, which are probably the result of that.

 

[Dino D]

wow didn’t know about the coloured dots.
So this is more than just OCD but an actual thing!

It’s hard work finding a tyre place these days that care.

I’ve resorted the local ‘car wash/ part worn tyres fitted here’ type place as the usual suspects in town weren’t interested in even looking at a puncture- just wanted to replace a half worn Michelin (£££) tyre!

Was quite reluctant to go to a place like this but it turned out that the lad there was sound - he could find the puncture so took the tyre of the time and discovered the stupid barcode sticker that Michelin (of all brands!) attach right on the tyre bead!!
The big name tyre place aho fitted it originally didn’t bother to remove it and was causing a slow leak.

sticker removed and problem solved- he was meticulous on handing the rim so took nearly and hour but still only charged £15 and took card payments!

He’s happy to fit customer supplied tyres for £15 a piece - nobody else willing to do that round my way anymore, even if they can’t get the type of tyre I want.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Not strictly relevant, but back when I was a humble tyre fitter we had a balancing machine that you could put the wheel on bare, spin it up, then fit the tyre and spin it up again and it would tell you whether you should break the beads and rotate the tyre to get it better balanced before putting on any weights. A bit long-winded, but I'm one of those that doesn't like loads of weights. The balancer was also clever enough to be able to hide the weights behind the wheel spokes. Again, lots of faffing about, but a hidden weight is a happy weight.

Damn this keyboard, think it's losing the "o".

 

[DrWong]

I used Tyres on the Drive a few months ago for four new Avons. They're owned by Halfords and come out to fit at your home. I'm not keen on others jacking the car up so put it on stands and took all four wheels off before they arrived. They did a spot on job and the tyres were cheap too, about £90 each after a 15% discount at the time for buying four. Will use them again.

Also didn't know about the dot thing.

 

[JimS]

I used Halfords 'Tyres on the drive' last time i needed one changed after a sidewall puncture and I concur it was a good fuss-free service, if a little pricier than the cheapest online options. I would definitely use them again.

 

[DrWong]

Agreed ToTD seem slightly pricier than likes of Black Circles. But they had the 15% discount specifically for Avons at the time and only if you bought four. Luckily that was exactly what I wanted haha! They ended up being the cheapest place I could find.