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[Mk23]

Last time I had my tires mounted I ended up with a small nick on one of my wheels, kind of like a very small curb rash. I was told by the owner of the tire shop that it is normal to have this happen as it is almost impossible to not damage a wheel when mounting tires on them. They have a tire mounting machine so I figured it would protect my wheels, apparently not so. The damage was only on one wheel but it still irritated me.

Is it normal for a wheel to sometimes take damage when mounting a tire on them? Even with a tire mounting machine? Is it nearly impossible to mount 4 tires on 4 wheels without damaging one of them? Or am I being fed a line of BS and I need to find another shop?

- Thanks for the help

[Tee212]

They say its normal to save face if any damage occurs. Its hit or miss at some shops, just depends on how careful the installer is and the equipment hes using.

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by Tee212

They say its normal to save face if any damage occurs. Its hit or miss at some shops, just depends on how careful the installer is and the equipment hes using.

That's the problem, I don't know what to do. Whether to find a new shop or use the same one. They said that they apparently made the damage when using a pry tool to get the tires on the mounting machine.

[Tee212]

Most shop should at least have the hunter touchless mounting machines nowadays. Are they using dated tools?

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by Tee212

Most shop should at least have the hunter touchless mounting machines nowadays. Are they using dated tools?

Are yo implying that if they had this brand of mounting machine there would be no damage? If so then I guess they didn't have that type of machine.

[Tee212]

Theres no reason the pry bar should be touching the lip/edge of rim. I used to mount balance tires. If theres surface scratches on the rim most likely the installer miss handled the rim or tools.

[kevin@bavarianx]

The Hunter touchless is about $35k and not everyone will be upgrading their equipment when they have already paid off their machine.

You are right as it all about the installer being careful during the process. We still use the pry bar Hunter machine but we are careful on our customer not to scratch or damage the surface and we have specialized pry bars that are made not to scratch.

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by Tee212

Theres no reason the pry bar should be touching the lip/edge of rim. I used to mount balance tires. If theres surface scratches on the rim most likely the installer miss handled the rim or tools.

Originally Posted by sales@bavarianx

The Hunter touchless is about $35k and not everyone will be upgrading their equipment when they have already paid off their machine.

You are right as it all about the installer being careful during the process. We still use the pry bar Hunter machine but we are careful on our customer not to scratch or damage the surface and we have specialized pry bars that are made not to scratch.

Makes sense. Guess I'll start calling around (along with looking at reviews) and try and find a local installer that has a Hunter Touchless, if it costs a bit more to get them mounted it's worth it to me if it help prevent scratches.

Thanks a bunch guys.

[1QuikWS6]

Took my new 18" wheel/tires to my local Mercedes dealer for Hunter mounting/balancing on the touchless sytem.

Inquired at BMW dealer and they wanted $299

Mercedes dealer is owned by Pontiac dealer where I bought/service my Pontiacs - their price was $119 for all (4)

Not a mark on my rims...

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

Took my new 18" wheel/tires to my local Mercedes dealer for Hunter mounting/balancing on the touchless sytem.

Inquired at BMW dealer and they wanted $299

Mercedes dealer is owned by Pontiac dealer where I bought/service my Pontiacs - their price was $119 for all (4)

Not a mark on my rims...

Definitely sounds like the way to go.