I noticed that my right rear tire was loosing lost about 2-3 psi after a couple days. Sure enough I noticed a very small nail, about the size of a picture hanging nail in my tread. The tire only has about 9K miles on it so I decided to have it repaired. I called the number on my Goodyear warranty card to find the closed authorized EMT tire center to do the repair.

After I arrived at the tire shop, I asked them if they had the proper equipment to lift my vette and explained that the manual states that blocks should be used to between the jack and the lifting points on the car. I told the guy that this was my dream car and that I am pretty particular about how it is worked on. The guy said he'd treat it like his own car. I also told him that I wanted the tire rebalanced after the repair and that I didn't want any balancing weights attached to the outside of the rim.

Sure enough, I decided to walk out to see how things were going, and I found that the mechanic had jacked the car up right under the middle rear of the car. When I complained, they told me that the blocks are only needed when the car is jacked up from the sides of the car. Then if this wasn't bad enough, when I walked around the car to it drive it off, I noticed that they had attached a balancing weight to the outside of the rim. And it looked like the old weights were still on the inside of the rim. I complained and had them remove the wheel and rebalance the tire on the inside of the rim.

I'm fairly new to the forum and I've only had the car for about 2 months. I cringe at the thought of taking it to the dealer or any kind of repair shop, but if I do have to do so, I expect them to do professional work. Does this stuff happen often to the rest of you? What have you done to avoid things like this?

 

nothing wrong with jacking it from the center front/rear of the car. there's strong structural areas that can be used.

 

I didn't have much choice, but it's certainly reassuring to hear. Before taking the car in, I did a search in the forum and found that many members used 2X6's, between the 2 rear tires, even when lifting from the middle of the car. And the same when lifting from the front of the car. So I was somewhat concerned.

 

here's a shot of the front belly of the car.



see just ahead of the leaf spring the grey structual support that joins both sides. i jack from the middle there when i have to get both wheels up at the same time without ramps.

here's a shot of the back:



the silver looking piece just in front of the black stabilizer bar is another point i use when jacking the rear to get both tires off the ground.

 

Been there! I hate taking my car to the shop!

I had to have a tire repaired too... I too was nervous so I solved this problem...

Bought a jack, and some jack stands. Lifted the car in my garage, placed the jack stands, took the tire off, threw to tire in my dad's truck and headed down to the tire shop. They never had to touch the car!

 

I'm lucky...I have this guy....www.pitcrewtire.com

comes to me...excellent setup and service

 

Don't blame you for being a bit upset. Sounds like they did the lift OK, but, they should have followed your directions on the balancing of the tire. Hope that they didn't mar the surface when the put the wheel weight on the outside and then had to take it off.

 

Thanks for the pics and explanation Jason. Those pictures are a lot clearer than I can see by trying to stick my fat head under the car!

I was concerned that the outside balancing weight might scratch or remove the clearcoat on my rims. Fortunately no damage was done.

 

daddoe,
I suspect people use the 2x6 for two reasons - no metal on metal contact (let the wood give a little if necessary), and this ensures that the jack is catching both "ridges" of the crossmember when the car is being lifted. That being said, I suspect you're all right. If you have a chance to view the crossmember and it looks OK, that will give you some peace of mind.

 

jdmvette

Thats one of the cleanest undersides I've seen. Looks really good.

 

 

As I have been posting here for years, tire mechanics are usually entry level jobs,, they pay them little more than minimum wages.. The attitude by many non owners of a business are they could care less what you tell them, they do this everyday... This is typical of many tire repair places... Goodyear is no exception... The real mechanics ( 18 to 30 an hour) are working on cars with higher repair fees they make little or no money at all repairing a tire.. That why they get 7 dollar an hour people to repair tires. If I use any service, I demand to be right there overseeing everything or I go else ware. Also if you are getting a tire removed from a wheel you need to have the service writer verify the condition of the wheel and also verify that all the wheels sensors are working before they touch the car... It your car.... they are there to perform a service for you... You are the boss... you pay their wages.
Dont let them treat you like an Idiot...Dont let them use that It's an Insurance regulation on you.

 

All good advice Evil-Twin. I'll be a little more hands on and watchful in the future. And great advice about the sensors. Fortunately, they are all working.

 

Hi jdmvette,

I am pretty dumb when it comes to being a mechanic, so would you please circle or put arrows exactly where you mean I could place the lift jack? For the rear, is it where I see two black "x" marks? Thanks. Jon

 

Jon,

here is a shot that is more clear courtesy of AU N EGL:



just jack it up at the midpoint you see between the two jack stands in this picture.