Wheel Story
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
From: Bealeton Virginia
Wheel Story
I decided about a month ago to replace my polished thin spokes w/ chrome Z06's. I found out that the guy that normally does work on the vette didn't have the machine to do the wheels. It took everything I had to go to Just Tires. I got there right when they opened in the hopes of getting undivided attention. "Yes, we do run flats." Yes, we can install custom wheels." "Yes, we can work on a Corvette."
Well.....I asked if he knew how to lift a vette. After a curious look, he said they have had problems before, but had finally figured out that when they lift it.....to open the doors, trunk and hood so the body will flex and not crack anything. I said...what about the lifting pucks?? Absolutely, hands down, had never heard of them. I had brought mine, showed him as I lied down in the parking lot and he was completely amazed. This place does nothing but lift cars and change tires. After damaging a "few" vettes, how in God's name could they not possibly know about pucks.
Anyway, after sweating for about 1 1/2 hours, I got it back and I had apparently scared the installers so much, they all stood by as I looked everything over. I sensed a sigh of relief as I gave the thumbs up.
Well.....I asked if he knew how to lift a vette. After a curious look, he said they have had problems before, but had finally figured out that when they lift it.....to open the doors, trunk and hood so the body will flex and not crack anything. I said...what about the lifting pucks?? Absolutely, hands down, had never heard of them. I had brought mine, showed him as I lied down in the parking lot and he was completely amazed. This place does nothing but lift cars and change tires. After damaging a "few" vettes, how in God's name could they not possibly know about pucks.
Anyway, after sweating for about 1 1/2 hours, I got it back and I had apparently scared the installers so much, they all stood by as I looked everything over. I sensed a sigh of relief as I gave the thumbs up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
From: Bealeton Virginia
Originally Posted by jrose7004
I wouldn't have let those people touch my car! You got lucky! 
I still can't figure out why getting quality service is harder than winning the lottery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
That is part of the reason I got the a&a frame savers and rocker rails. Dont have to worry so much about drive on racks....... Glad they got the runflats handled without wheel damage........
It is amazing how they can be in the business and not know about the C5, runflats , etc. Not like it's brand new technology........
It is amazing how they can be in the business and not know about the C5, runflats , etc. Not like it's brand new technology........
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
From: Bealeton Virginia
I forgot....When all was said and done, I offered to order some pucks for his shop since they were all so amazed by the damn things. In one ear and out the other. He didn't even acknowledge the offer. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
They probably thought you said ducks........... They're still talking about you trying to figure out why you would order ducks for them. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Hi JLA, 
It is a sad commentary, but, quite common. Thankfully, you are knowledgeable regarding the idiosyncracies of your vehicle, and, that you also had your jacking pucs. Moreover, you were smart to stay and observe the techs while they serviced your C5. Frankly, I feel that all tire servicers (whom regularly service high performance vehicles like Corvette C5's) should have on hand such simple devices as the jacking pucs. It is a sign of knowledgeable training, automotive product awareness, and, just plain good customer service.
It is a sad commentary, but, quite common. Thankfully, you are knowledgeable regarding the idiosyncracies of your vehicle, and, that you also had your jacking pucs. Moreover, you were smart to stay and observe the techs while they serviced your C5. Frankly, I feel that all tire servicers (whom regularly service high performance vehicles like Corvette C5's) should have on hand such simple devices as the jacking pucs. It is a sign of knowledgeable training, automotive product awareness, and, just plain good customer service.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 5
From: Naples Florida
I have had good luck at Goodyear. I figuire they must handle a lot of Vettes there. They used the drive on lift and jack it from the front and rear cross members. I believe opening all the doors and hood and trunk was what they used to do to C2's and C3's. I have also heard not to open everything on them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Edmond OK.
Originally Posted by C5naples
I have had good luck at Goodyear. I figuire they must handle a lot of Vettes there. They used the drive on lift and jack it from the front and rear cross members. I believe opening all the doors and hood and trunk was what they used to do to C2's and C3's. I have also heard not to open everything on them.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 325
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From: Plymouth MN
Originally Posted by C5naples
I have had good luck at Goodyear. I figuire they must handle a lot of Vettes there. They used the drive on lift and jack it from the front and rear cross members. I believe opening all the doors and hood and trunk was what they used to do to C2's and C3's. I have also heard not to open everything on them.
Nothing but bad experience at Goodyear around here. Had a screw imbedded, they went to put the car up on on lift, no pucks, no idea. I stopped them. Then they decided to lift it with a floor jack, no pucks and again, no idea, stopped them again. Not revisiting.
Luckily I have a good dealer. It will cost more but my car will be going there for new tires next summer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,876
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From: Ghent
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by JLA
I forgot....When all was said and done, I offered to order some pucks for his shop since they were all so amazed by the damn things. In one ear and out the other. He didn't even acknowledge the offer.
I'm glad you tried to "school them". Oh well, at least you tried.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,743
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From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by mrm1149
They probably thought you said ducks........... They're still talking about you trying to figure out why you would order ducks for them. Or maybe they thought you said they should get F$#ked? No wonder they didn't acknowledge the "offer"!!
You did well with a scary experience... I would have driven away...
Or, do what I do... take the wheels off at home, and take them in one or two at a time in your other car and have them changed... at a place where they can handle specialty rims...
It's a pain, sure.. but much less stress to all....
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Glad it all worked out for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
i spend 10mins getting c5/6's onto my unlces lift w/ pucks and blocks of wood for the front, then when it's in the air half of the cars have battle damage from hack shops and foreign objects flying in the road, i don't understand why people don't care when working on vettes?
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by JLA
No choice. Some forum members gave me a few local shops they trusted, but between my work schedule and the hours of the shops, it wasn't going to work. I don't like the franchise places either, but I figured briefing them beforehand might help. I tried to present the whole thing without sounding like an "upper crust" jerk.
I still can't figure out why getting quality service is harder than winning the lottery.
I still can't figure out why getting quality service is harder than winning the lottery.
I hear your situation, but
I think you were lucky. No excuse for these guys not knowing about the lifting process.