Problems getting used tires mounted and alignment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: taunton ma.
Problems getting used tires mounted and alignment
Anyone have problems trying to have used tires mounted?
I know lots of you have winter and summer tires so I figured I would ask.
I bought a set of used pilot s/s in good condition for a decent price for my 13 g/s to replace my g/y's that are worn into the threads and falling apart.
I have been driving around to tire shops and no one will touch it , the chevy dealer here in spring hill fl. says no but might if I sign a waiver and they said they probably will ruin my rims , I don't know what the difference would be with a new tire or not especially since I changed tires in my own shop build cars for years.
The also said they would only do the pfadt alignment if I signed a waiver and would not stand by it.
Any ideas ? I would like to get back to driving and autox someday
I know lots of you have winter and summer tires so I figured I would ask.
I bought a set of used pilot s/s in good condition for a decent price for my 13 g/s to replace my g/y's that are worn into the threads and falling apart.
I have been driving around to tire shops and no one will touch it , the chevy dealer here in spring hill fl. says no but might if I sign a waiver and they said they probably will ruin my rims , I don't know what the difference would be with a new tire or not especially since I changed tires in my own shop build cars for years.
The also said they would only do the pfadt alignment if I signed a waiver and would not stand by it.
Any ideas ? I would like to get back to driving and autox someday
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I can't comment on your tires, but I can comment about the alignment.
I just had an alignment done at Firestone ... I gave them a piece of paper with the front are rear wheel Toe and Camber specs I wanted my GS set to.
And that was it ... When they were done, I got a computer printout of the before and after alignment specs.
They got it almost perfect to what I told them to set it to.
I think I paid $80
I just had an alignment done at Firestone ... I gave them a piece of paper with the front are rear wheel Toe and Camber specs I wanted my GS set to.
And that was it ... When they were done, I got a computer printout of the before and after alignment specs.
They got it almost perfect to what I told them to set it to.
I think I paid $80
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 166
From: Greenwood Indiana
i have had this EXACT problem with firestone. i had taken several sets of wheels and tires to them. from used to drag radials to slicks. NEVER had a problem.
it seems that every time management changes or some poopdick wants to throw his weight around or "corporate knowledge" the policy changes.
i went in there with a set of tires that only had about 3-4000miles on them to have then dismounted and swapped to the new aftermarket wheels i had bought.
tell the guy at the desk. drop off the wheels at 9am, come back by at 5pm and i have 8 loose wheels and 4 tires.
so i was like wtf is going on.
dude comes out and was like we cant mount "used tires" for anyone and if someone did it in the past they shouldnt have.
directly across the street is a small shop called auto tire. they will mount a tire that wont hold air on a wheel thats bent.
they have done my tires for the past 5 years because of the firestone mishap. LOL
so to me, as long as your supplying good tires/wheels, you dont need any reason to go to a corporate/big name place to have the work done.
they want the money, its pure labor and maybe 5.00 in wheel weights.
auto tire charges me 27.50 ea for dismount/mount/balance
it seems that every time management changes or some poopdick wants to throw his weight around or "corporate knowledge" the policy changes.
i went in there with a set of tires that only had about 3-4000miles on them to have then dismounted and swapped to the new aftermarket wheels i had bought.
tell the guy at the desk. drop off the wheels at 9am, come back by at 5pm and i have 8 loose wheels and 4 tires.
so i was like wtf is going on.
dude comes out and was like we cant mount "used tires" for anyone and if someone did it in the past they shouldnt have.
directly across the street is a small shop called auto tire. they will mount a tire that wont hold air on a wheel thats bent.
they have done my tires for the past 5 years because of the firestone mishap. LOL
so to me, as long as your supplying good tires/wheels, you dont need any reason to go to a corporate/big name place to have the work done.
they want the money, its pure labor and maybe 5.00 in wheel weights.
auto tire charges me 27.50 ea for dismount/mount/balance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 166
From: Greenwood Indiana
if you bought new wheels tomorrow.. and your current tires are in great shape.
to have them installed on the new wheels, tire shops will consider your current tires "USED" ..
this is prob only because they arent selling you new tires that you dont need.
Last edited by ~STOLEN~; Feb 7, 2018 at 03:48 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 626
Likes: 118
From: Indianapolis
I haven't done it on my Z06, but have on my SUV and never had issues with shops installing and balancing them. However, after doing this on a couple sets, again on my SUV, I have come to the conclusion that it is not worth the hassle. I have always experienced some of the following; front end vibration at speeds above 50MPH, vibration in steering wheel, cornering felt weird and eventually uneven wear. Most of the tires I have bought used were all near 9/32nds or better, the last couple times I've done this. I come to conclusion that there was a reason someone got rid of the tires in the first place and issue may not be visible to the eye. My last set on my SUV I had on the car for 2 years, the set before that another two years. Just recently I installed a brand new set for the first time my 2006 FX35 SUV and feels and drives like a brand new car. I actually enjoy driving it again, not as much as I enjoy driving my 08Z.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
True, I didn't think of it in that way and I actually have done that and Discount Tire had no problem swapping my "used" tires over to the new rims and balancing them.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 59
From: Mesa AZ
I'm located in Mesa AZ. I just had tires swapped from aftermarket wheels that were on the car when I bought it (3 months ago) to powder coated stock wheels, road force balanced and 4 wheel alignment. The shop didn't even blink.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 709
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I had tires swapped from my 13 GS rims over to a set of spyder oem rims.
Only place that would do it was a foreign specialty shop that had capability to work on tri star and Beamer cars. Those cars have the larger rims.
They charged me $32/wheel for mount and balance. Great job!
Only place that would do it was a foreign specialty shop that had capability to work on tri star and Beamer cars. Those cars have the larger rims.
They charged me $32/wheel for mount and balance. Great job!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 525
From: Lower New York
Supposed you have two sets of tires that you bought new that you use on your car for different needs. After you mount the second set both sets are now used. Does that mean you can't re-mount any set now because they are considered used? Sounds totally assinine if you ask me.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Forget the reasons why, you need to find a place that will mount w/o ruining the wheels OR tires, as well as do a good alignment. First I'd try is a local Corvette club--ask not only for the place/shop, but the person's name who'll do the work. You may not have one in town; keep going out from your location w. a google search. Second, check w. area road-racing or auto cross clubs/organizations. The first one that comes to mind is the SCCA Solo2 organization for autocross. (http://www.nediv.com/nediv-info/regions-of-nediv)
Finally, if Scott's in Taunton can't do the job (align. or tire mount) you'll have to extend the radius toward Boston. Chances are you will be doing that as Taunton doesn't seem to have much listings for alignment other than Firestone and Sears. Good luck.
Finally, if Scott's in Taunton can't do the job (align. or tire mount) you'll have to extend the radius toward Boston. Chances are you will be doing that as Taunton doesn't seem to have much listings for alignment other than Firestone and Sears. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Supposed you have two sets of tires that you bought new that you use on your car for different needs. After you mount the second set both sets are now used. Does that mean you can't re-mount any set now because they are considered used? Sounds totally assinine if you ask me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 717
From: Sausalito CA
Wow. All tire shops in your area DO you have to travel 500 miles to get this resolved.
Seems to me if a tire needed a flat repair, there would be a mount and dismount.
Used tire, I can understand a liability issue = would need strong liability release document.
Used tire I could understand some delays or issues remounting = extra cash cost.
So, best of luck, follow some suggestions offered by other co-members.
Alignment Specs.
Just BS.
Print the specs, if specs fall into range you should be "golden".
Shop doesn't want your business for what ever reason IMO.
FWIW I have had issues getting alignments for decades, mostly with the centering of the steering wheel. Too bad a somewhat professional set of DIY alignment tools are so expensive IMO. There are race track DIY solutions including the use of string and rulers.
Please let us know how your issues were resolved.
Seems to me if a tire needed a flat repair, there would be a mount and dismount.
Used tire, I can understand a liability issue = would need strong liability release document.
Used tire I could understand some delays or issues remounting = extra cash cost.
So, best of luck, follow some suggestions offered by other co-members.
Alignment Specs.
Just BS.
Print the specs, if specs fall into range you should be "golden".
Shop doesn't want your business for what ever reason IMO.
FWIW I have had issues getting alignments for decades, mostly with the centering of the steering wheel. Too bad a somewhat professional set of DIY alignment tools are so expensive IMO. There are race track DIY solutions including the use of string and rulers.
Please let us know how your issues were resolved.
Last edited by Kenny94945; Feb 8, 2018 at 08:47 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 474
Likes: 123
From: Tampa Bay Fl.
Anyone have problems trying to have used tires mounted?
I know lots of you have winter and summer tires so I figured I would ask.
I bought a set of used pilot s/s in good condition for a decent price for my 13 g/s to replace my g/y's that are worn into the threads and falling apart.
I have been driving around to tire shops and no one will touch it , the chevy dealer here in spring hill fl. says no but might if I sign a waiver and they said they probably will ruin my rims , I don't know what the difference would be with a new tire or not especially since I changed tires in my own shop build cars for years.
The also said they would only do the pfadt alignment if I signed a waiver and would not stand by it.
Any ideas ? I would like to get back to driving and autox someday
I know lots of you have winter and summer tires so I figured I would ask.
I bought a set of used pilot s/s in good condition for a decent price for my 13 g/s to replace my g/y's that are worn into the threads and falling apart.
I have been driving around to tire shops and no one will touch it , the chevy dealer here in spring hill fl. says no but might if I sign a waiver and they said they probably will ruin my rims , I don't know what the difference would be with a new tire or not especially since I changed tires in my own shop build cars for years.
The also said they would only do the pfadt alignment if I signed a waiver and would not stand by it.
Any ideas ? I would like to get back to driving and autox someday
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,756
Likes: 2,505
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
The issue now is age of the tires more than anything. Most places won't touch tires over 5 yo, and yes, they do not want liability issues. To me mounting them properly and not damaging your rims is a bit of BS though, they should not try to absolve themselves of that part. As far as you killing yourself with old tires, that is not unreasonable to get a waiver, though I have a lawyer friend who tells me waivers mean little, anyhow.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
I can't comment on your tires, but I can comment about the alignment.
I just had an alignment done at Firestone ... I gave them a piece of paper with the front are rear wheel Toe and Camber specs I wanted my GS set to.
And that was it ... When they were done, I got a computer printout of the before and after alignment specs.
They got it almost perfect to what I told them to set it to.
I think I paid $80
I just had an alignment done at Firestone ... I gave them a piece of paper with the front are rear wheel Toe and Camber specs I wanted my GS set to.
And that was it ... When they were done, I got a computer printout of the before and after alignment specs.
They got it almost perfect to what I told them to set it to.
I think I paid $80