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I bought some 3 piece forged wheels for my 2017 grand sport. I have had 2 tire shops attempt to install run flats on these wheels to no avail. The first shop could not get a quarter of the way in and the second got down half way before giving up. The issue is I just bought these tires about 45 days ago. Has anyone had this issue and what recommendations would you have? TIA
Had my ZR1 tires changed twice now with run flats on stock rims...Cup2 and AS3. Believe it or not...my local NTB did it without any issues...but I did qualify them before hand. Don't know where in TX you are, but I'm in the DFW area. Problem is most tire techs are transient.
Last edited by frodoz737; Oct 18, 2021 at 07:13 PM.
When, I had my Z51 Michelin Tires installed at Costco, the Manager told me they allowed extra time for premium tire installation and they put their most experienced tire person on it. I believe it was half-an-hour extra.
There are special machines designed for this job, and there are certain techs qualified to run them. The problem is finding them both at the same location. I just had Belle Tire install new tires, but it was on stock rims. I would also check at Discount Tire if you have one. However, at this point I would be worried if someone could get them on without scratching my new rims, especially after 2 attempts. Good Luck to you brother!.
There is a Motorsport shop near me that specializes in off road Truck Mods. When my local dealer was having issues mounting the run flats on my wheels they took them to this motorsports shop and they had no issues mounting the tires.
Check truck shops in your area and see if they have machines that can mount your tires.
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I would think that Discount Tire could mount the tires, if you have one close by. They are a bit difficult to mount and hopefully you find a good shop.
It's all about the right mounting machine and a good tire man. They can have the newest mounting machine but if the tire guy isn't experienced, then it's not going to work. Have to remember that run flat tires have a very stiff inner sidewalk that isn't as flexible as a non run flat tire. I went to a shop that specializes in front ends and custom wheels. They mounted new tires on my new three piece wheels quickly and without any problems and I was impressed as I expected them to have issues but they didn't. Cost a lot more than a regular tire shop but considering what those new wheels cost me, I didn't mind.
I had a problem with 'New England Tire' changing new tires on my Grand Sport. All the regular workers couldn't get the new tires to seat. The owner had to do it.
My next set of tires where done at the dealership. They had a new tire machine and had no problems. I also had 'Load Balancing' done.
I haven't had any issues with Discount Tire installing them. But, I live in a warm climate. The Discount Tire store in Portland Oregon would set them out in the sun if it was warm, or store them in a warm room for a while before attempting installation.
I would think that Discount Tire could mount the tires, if you have one close by. They are a bit difficult to mount and hopefully you find a good shop.
My local Discount Tire had to buy me 2 new rims after damaging them, mounting new RF 325s. First set of tires on new wheels. Told me not to bring those tires back! Call your local Hunter rep, ask who has a Hunter Revolution machine. This is the best no-touch mounting machine. Good luck!
My local Discount Tire had to buy me 2 new rims after damaging them, mounting new RF 325s. First set of tires on new wheels. Told me not to bring those tires back! Call your local Hunter rep, ask who has a Hunter Revolution machine. This is the best no-touch mounting machine. Good luck!
Yeah same with my closest Discount tire. Nice people but they tore my bead removing a 335 PSS that had a screw in it. Bought me a new one. Found a tire shop that dealt with big rims and small side walls. They had no problems. The right person and machine is the ticket. Especially the right person.
My local Discount Tire let me down after going there for over 30 years. They cut the bead on one tire, and damaged the sidewall on another. They would NOT fess up to the damage and I had to pay. They also had their most experienced person mount them - the store manager!
I had a dealer destroy the bead on a new rear tire when replacing it and I didn't know about it until I had a tire shop with the correct machine install AS tires. The dealer claimed they didn't do it but they were the only ones to touch the tires. They also destroyed a tire lock key and denied doing that too. Luckily they didn't damage any of the locking lug nuts or the rims. Take the time and make sure the shop has the correct machine to mount the tires. I would think a performance tire shop would have what is needed with all the fragile wheels out there.
I finally went to another discount tire and they had no issues putting them on. They did notice, however, that one of the wheels is leaking air. Is DIY sealing recommended? I have seen videos that do them with no problem. Of course, its the videos with the installers leaving a nice clean small bead instead of the 2 to 3 inch smear I've seen.
After no luck with a couple installers with new super sports and forged wheels, I ended up finding Discount Tire had a trick where they placed plastic bags around the bead to help it seat. The bags provided a temporary way to fill the small gaps. The high pressure seating action blew the bag out of the bead at the last second. Pretty slick. Certainly required some skill to do it right and sometimes it took a few attempts. My tires when new were slightly older build date and were unusually stiff which made it so difficult.
Mounting run flats
