Close Call at the Tire Shop
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Close Call at the Tire Shop
So I got a new pair of rear tires but the balance just wasn't right. I didn't like the shop that did the work so I found a shop that had a Hunter 9700 something or other balancing machine - supposed to be state of the art. I take my car there Friday after work, the guys are friendly and let me spot the lift on my car so as not to damage anything, and they rebalance my wheels (btw, the right rear was 0.75 ounces off...).
So these two young guys put my wheels back on and tell me they're going to take it for a test drive. Of course I wasn't happy with that. "You know what?" I say. "Why don't I take one of you out for a ride - we'll be able to go much faster that way." So one of the guys gladly hops in and we're on our way.
So we get out on the road and I give it some throttle. The guy tells me, "Wow, I love your car man. I mean, I really love it. I just had my Honda impounded." Of course I ask for the rest of the story.
"I was busted street racing over the Gandy." This is a 2.5 mile straight bridge over Tampa Bay. Keep in mind this is the guy that was going to test drive my car. The guy was happy to share that his ticket was $600 and his bail was $250. Why bail? Because he ran from the cops and they had to call in a helicopter.
So I ask, "what happened to your car?"
"It got impounded."
"When do you get it back?"
"I don't," he said.
"What do you mean? Just for one street racing incident, they can take your car forever?"
"Well, this is the fourth time they've busted me."
And this is the guy who was going to take my car out for a test drive and wrap it around a pole.
So these two young guys put my wheels back on and tell me they're going to take it for a test drive. Of course I wasn't happy with that. "You know what?" I say. "Why don't I take one of you out for a ride - we'll be able to go much faster that way." So one of the guys gladly hops in and we're on our way.
So we get out on the road and I give it some throttle. The guy tells me, "Wow, I love your car man. I mean, I really love it. I just had my Honda impounded." Of course I ask for the rest of the story.
"I was busted street racing over the Gandy." This is a 2.5 mile straight bridge over Tampa Bay. Keep in mind this is the guy that was going to test drive my car. The guy was happy to share that his ticket was $600 and his bail was $250. Why bail? Because he ran from the cops and they had to call in a helicopter.
So I ask, "what happened to your car?"
"It got impounded."
"When do you get it back?"
"I don't," he said.
"What do you mean? Just for one street racing incident, they can take your car forever?"
"Well, this is the fourth time they've busted me."
And this is the guy who was going to take my car out for a test drive and wrap it around a pole.
#5
Rennlist Member
You should of just stop and pull over and tell him to get out and give him bus fare for the ride back to the tire shop and tell him to get use to the 54 window coupe because you have a feeling that he will be riding the public transit for a long time coming .
Cheeez Guy
Cheeez Guy
#7
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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Ohhh no- I have an apt on Tuesday for some new Michelin's
Can you tell me specifically how to "spot the lift so as to avoid damage"...... that's all I need!!!!!!!!
Can you tell me specifically how to "spot the lift so as to avoid damage"...... that's all I need!!!!!!!!
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#9
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
So I got a new pair of rear tires but the balance just wasn't right. I didn't like the shop that did the work so I found a shop that had a Hunter 9700 something or other balancing machine - supposed to be state of the art. I take my car there Friday after work, the guys are friendly and let me spot the lift on my car so as not to damage anything, and they rebalance my wheels (btw, the right rear was 0.75 ounces off...).
So these two young guys put my wheels back on and tell me they're going to take it for a test drive. Of course I wasn't happy with that. "You know what?" I say. "Why don't I take one of you out for a ride - we'll be able to go much faster that way." So one of the guys gladly hops in and we're on our way.
So we get out on the road and I give it some throttle. The guy tells me, "Wow, I love your car man. I mean, I really love it. I just had my Honda impounded." Of course I ask for the rest of the story.
"I was busted street racing over the Gandy." This is a 2.5 mile straight bridge over Tampa Bay. Keep in mind this is the guy that was going to test drive my car. The guy was happy to share that his ticket was $600 and his bail was $250. Why bail? Because he ran from the cops and they had to call in a helicopter.
So I ask, "what happened to your car?"
"It got impounded."
"When do you get it back?"
"I don't," he said.
"What do you mean? Just for one street racing incident, they can take your car forever?"
"Well, this is the fourth time they've busted me."
And this is the guy who was going to take my car out for a test drive and wrap it around a pole.
So these two young guys put my wheels back on and tell me they're going to take it for a test drive. Of course I wasn't happy with that. "You know what?" I say. "Why don't I take one of you out for a ride - we'll be able to go much faster that way." So one of the guys gladly hops in and we're on our way.
So we get out on the road and I give it some throttle. The guy tells me, "Wow, I love your car man. I mean, I really love it. I just had my Honda impounded." Of course I ask for the rest of the story.
"I was busted street racing over the Gandy." This is a 2.5 mile straight bridge over Tampa Bay. Keep in mind this is the guy that was going to test drive my car. The guy was happy to share that his ticket was $600 and his bail was $250. Why bail? Because he ran from the cops and they had to call in a helicopter.
So I ask, "what happened to your car?"
"It got impounded."
"When do you get it back?"
"I don't," he said.
"What do you mean? Just for one street racing incident, they can take your car forever?"
"Well, this is the fourth time they've busted me."
And this is the guy who was going to take my car out for a test drive and wrap it around a pole.
Andreas
#10
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Central Fl.
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I have never had anyone at the tire shop test drive any of my cars! I would not let them either. That is a first one on me. They just wanted a thrill ride. Glad you did not let them.
Ron
Ron
#11
If possible, I always have the wheels and tires mounted OFF the car... i.e., put the car on jackstands, take the wheels to the shop, watch them dismount/mount the tires, high speed balance, and that's the end of it. No reason to let some $6/hr kid lift your car, overtighten and/or strip your lug bolts, and possible scratch something on your car. Just no reason to do it.
#12
Race Car
If possible, I always have the wheels and tires mounted OFF the car... i.e., put the car on jackstands, take the wheels to the shop, watch them dismount/mount the tires, high speed balance, and that's the end of it. No reason to let some $6/hr kid lift your car, overtighten and/or strip your lug bolts, and possible scratch something on your car. Just no reason to do it.
#13
Rennlist Member
I posted my tire shop horror story a while back (see pic) Maybe it wasn't thier fault but they did change the story after finding out they couldn't easily find a replacement at tire rack. "Oh mr. malec we are not responsible for the tire since there was previous work done on the wheel" total BS glad to hear you made the save.
#15
WOW! Good catch ... I was just debating on saving a few bucks by going to a typical tire shop vs. my independent Porsche shop... I'll spend the extra dough and sleep better!