Changing Runflats
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Changing Runflats
Has anyone had a problem getting their runflats changed to new wheels?
I will be getting new wheels this week and plan on using my stock runflats. So I stopped in at a local tire place to ask if there would any problem getting the tires off of the factory wheels and put on my new ones. The guy running the place told me that they are not allowed to mount runflats without some type of "cage" due to the pressure needed to get the bead on the tire to seal.
He was real nice about it, but didn't really know where to send me to have this done. Anyone else run into this problem? Any ideas where to go?
Thanks!
Gene
I will be getting new wheels this week and plan on using my stock runflats. So I stopped in at a local tire place to ask if there would any problem getting the tires off of the factory wheels and put on my new ones. The guy running the place told me that they are not allowed to mount runflats without some type of "cage" due to the pressure needed to get the bead on the tire to seal.
He was real nice about it, but didn't really know where to send me to have this done. Anyone else run into this problem? Any ideas where to go?
Thanks!
Gene
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ nj
ttt
It's a real pain in the A$$ to find someone with the right machine to dismount and mount run flats. Believe it or not, I called two local Chevy dealers and they told me they can not do the work since they don't have the right machine!!!!! I found a local tire shop that has the right equipment. I plan to go there in person to ask a bunch of questions. One note of caution...be sure to ask if the place accepts liability for rim and tire sensor damage. I had one dealer tell me they would do the work. When I asked if they accepts liability for rim damage, they said no. So I asked how could they not back up their work. What I found out (after hard pushing) is the dealer sends the work to a local shop and that's why the dealer won't accept liability. So.....beware...ask lots of questions.......
It's a real pain in the A$$ to find someone with the right machine to dismount and mount run flats. Believe it or not, I called two local Chevy dealers and they told me they can not do the work since they don't have the right machine!!!!! I found a local tire shop that has the right equipment. I plan to go there in person to ask a bunch of questions. One note of caution...be sure to ask if the place accepts liability for rim and tire sensor damage. I had one dealer tell me they would do the work. When I asked if they accepts liability for rim damage, they said no. So I asked how could they not back up their work. What I found out (after hard pushing) is the dealer sends the work to a local shop and that's why the dealer won't accept liability. So.....beware...ask lots of questions.......
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 326
Likes: 18
From: Haverhill Ma
Liability for mounting
I'm also running into this type of issue.
I'm about to purchase tires from the Tirerack and checked out their recommended list of installers. I called one in my area, Goodyear Tire Service Center in Lowell MA, and they told me $50 a tire to dismount the runflat, remount new tire, and balance. I asked why so much. The Manager told me that he could charge $10 per tire but for $50 per tire he take liability for any damage.
It makes sense to me. These wheels are expensive and so are the pressure sensors.
I'm willing to pay the extra to get responsible service and the liability(got to get it in writing) after all I'm saving some money with the Tirerack Co.
Any thoughts??
c5firstimer
I'm about to purchase tires from the Tirerack and checked out their recommended list of installers. I called one in my area, Goodyear Tire Service Center in Lowell MA, and they told me $50 a tire to dismount the runflat, remount new tire, and balance. I asked why so much. The Manager told me that he could charge $10 per tire but for $50 per tire he take liability for any damage.
It makes sense to me. These wheels are expensive and so are the pressure sensors.
I'm willing to pay the extra to get responsible service and the liability(got to get it in writing) after all I'm saving some money with the Tirerack Co.
Any thoughts??
c5firstimer
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
From: Monroe LA
Be very careful!!!!! I had to have my runcraps changed 2 weeks ago. I took the wheels to the Goodyear place,(this is where the Dealership uses). It took them 45 minutes for two tires.They scratched and chipped the clear coat on both rims. When I confronted them about what they had done they blamed me and took no responsibility for the damage. I had the other two done by a speciality rim shop(one who does the big chrome wheels), they actually knew what they were doing.
Another thing to watch out for is the damage that the weights do to the rim. The factory put the balance weights on the outside of our rims. This damages the rim. It looks like a bad curb rash! Also when the tire shop removes these they can chip the clear coat. Since my car is still under warranty GM has replaced them. I was told by others that the tire shops should be able to put a small weight in the same place as the old weight and glue what other weights that are needed on the inside of the rim.
I hope that sharing my experience can help same any of you the problems that I have had.
Good Luck!
Another thing to watch out for is the damage that the weights do to the rim. The factory put the balance weights on the outside of our rims. This damages the rim. It looks like a bad curb rash! Also when the tire shop removes these they can chip the clear coat. Since my car is still under warranty GM has replaced them. I was told by others that the tire shops should be able to put a small weight in the same place as the old weight and glue what other weights that are needed on the inside of the rim.
I hope that sharing my experience can help same any of you the problems that I have had.
Good Luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
Just bought new wheels last week and had my GY runflats mounted on them. Took the wheels to my Pontiac garage (recommended to me by other vette owners) where they have a new wheels/tire machine. Took 2 hours of work and muscle to change out my wheels ($80.00 total plus a $20.00 tip to the tech who acutally did the work). He did a great job and took special care with the new wheels. Allowed me to watch the whole process.
Mike
PS. Now will head over to the Chevy garage to get the sensors recalibrated. Got my fingers crossed.
Mike
PS. Now will head over to the Chevy garage to get the sensors recalibrated. Got my fingers crossed.
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I've heard about this before - certain shops do not want to take the chance of having one of their technicians injured. Goodyear's instructions on mounting the tires does state to use a cage. They can be put on using a regular machine, but be careful about damage to the rims.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ nj
ttt
The Goodyear site states that a Hunter machine must be used for dismounting and mounting of runflats. I am going to the local tire shop tommorow to see if they have the Hunter. If not, the search goes on...
What a f@ckin' pain in the a$$. All I want is new tires. Sometimes I think the vette isn't really worth all this aggrevation....
The Goodyear site states that a Hunter machine must be used for dismounting and mounting of runflats. I am going to the local tire shop tommorow to see if they have the Hunter. If not, the search goes on...
What a f@ckin' pain in the a$$. All I want is new tires. Sometimes I think the vette isn't really worth all this aggrevation....
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I think that the Chevy dealers that you went were telling you a big fat lie.
Aren't you able to purchase new tires at chevy dealers? How do they put those on? maybe they send you to dodge ,or ford.
Ya right. I had mine changed over at my local NTB ( they would not change over my pressure sensors though), so I went to Wheel and tire connection and had to get them to do it. NEITHER one of the shops that I went to had a cage and they had no problem with the mounting or dismounting. I also had a flat repair done at Discount Tire and they did not have a cage either. 
Aren't you able to purchase new tires at chevy dealers? How do they put those on? maybe they send you to dodge ,or ford.
Ya right. I had mine changed over at my local NTB ( they would not change over my pressure sensors though), so I went to Wheel and tire connection and had to get them to do it. NEITHER one of the shops that I went to had a cage and they had no problem with the mounting or dismounting. I also had a flat repair done at Discount Tire and they did not have a cage either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Figuring ya get what ya pay for I took our car to Mallett Cars when I needed stock runflats swapped to new wheels. Yep, it was a probably a bit more expensive than some other places I could find but the care and quality of the work was worth the extra money. Check for a Vette shop around you if you can. 