Question about a tire change
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 75
RE: Question about a tire change
There are a couple methods they might use:
1) Air-powered impact wrench with standard socket. Bad because no way to regulate torque. Uneven torque is #1 way to warp rotors (costing ya lots of money).
2) Air-powered impact wrench with torque-limiting extension (Accu-torque type tool). These hook to a standard air impact wrench and limit torque to the specific limits of the tool. They come in a set, usually different color for each torque range, ie 80 lbs, 100lbs, 120lbs and so on. When used properly, these work well and I use them all the time. I've double-checked them with a hand torque wrench a number of times and mine are always on the money. A lot of shops use these as they are a great time-saver (and backsaver). Still, in the hands of an incompetent operator they could be a problem if nuts are not torqued in stages or in a star pattern. ...or if they use the wrong torque. Guys in shops where I've had tires mountedseem to understand how to use them properly, but I would prefer to have them hand torqued at a shop because by the time ya found out they were not torqued properly, it might be too late.
3) Hand operated torque wrench. Typically the shop would instal lug nuts with an air wrench using low pressure, then put it down from the hoist and hand torque with a wrench that basically "clicks" when it reaches the appropriate torque setting that he set it to. It's pretty hard not to screw up using a hand torque wrench.
4) Hand operated 4-way lug wrench. This is the old way. There isn't any way to measure torque, but I know a shop that changes tires like crazy and uses 4-way lug wrenches. You have to get there 1/2 hour early any day of the week or you will be in a long line, that's how busy they are. They run cars in/out so fast it's amazing and they have a lot of bays. Cheapest place around to get tires. I was suprised they all use 4-way wrenches and standard jacks. It makes sense though because they have an incredible system and it's faster than futzing with a hoist. These guys use the 4-way to tighten and they can tell the torque cause they've done it so many times. It's rare to see this though. This is easy on the lug nuts too, especially the ones with stainless caps, like a lot of D1's have.
1) Air-powered impact wrench with standard socket. Bad because no way to regulate torque. Uneven torque is #1 way to warp rotors (costing ya lots of money).
2) Air-powered impact wrench with torque-limiting extension (Accu-torque type tool). These hook to a standard air impact wrench and limit torque to the specific limits of the tool. They come in a set, usually different color for each torque range, ie 80 lbs, 100lbs, 120lbs and so on. When used properly, these work well and I use them all the time. I've double-checked them with a hand torque wrench a number of times and mine are always on the money. A lot of shops use these as they are a great time-saver (and backsaver). Still, in the hands of an incompetent operator they could be a problem if nuts are not torqued in stages or in a star pattern. ...or if they use the wrong torque. Guys in shops where I've had tires mountedseem to understand how to use them properly, but I would prefer to have them hand torqued at a shop because by the time ya found out they were not torqued properly, it might be too late.
3) Hand operated torque wrench. Typically the shop would instal lug nuts with an air wrench using low pressure, then put it down from the hoist and hand torque with a wrench that basically "clicks" when it reaches the appropriate torque setting that he set it to. It's pretty hard not to screw up using a hand torque wrench.
4) Hand operated 4-way lug wrench. This is the old way. There isn't any way to measure torque, but I know a shop that changes tires like crazy and uses 4-way lug wrenches. You have to get there 1/2 hour early any day of the week or you will be in a long line, that's how busy they are. They run cars in/out so fast it's amazing and they have a lot of bays. Cheapest place around to get tires. I was suprised they all use 4-way wrenches and standard jacks. It makes sense though because they have an incredible system and it's faster than futzing with a hoist. These guys use the 4-way to tighten and they can tell the torque cause they've done it so many times. It's rare to see this though. This is easy on the lug nuts too, especially the ones with stainless caps, like a lot of D1's have.
TReK
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 2
From: Dallas TX
RE: Question about a tire change
ORIGINAL: Mark G
Man you guys are tough!
I've had that happen. It's not hard to do. Thing is, if it is mounting lube, theymay wellhave cleaned it off, but sometimes a little persists just under or around the bead,when ya drive the centrifical force causes what small amount is leftto creep out. I say, just take 5 minutes and hose it off and don't stress yourself out. It'll be a lot faster than driving all the way back to the tire shop,waiting, making a case, sounding like an idiot that doesn't know squat, waiting for the guy to look at it, waiting for another guy to hose it off, then hear them laugh at you when ya drive off. What's your time worth? You could have a good lunch in the time you'd waste. You can always call the shop and tell them what happend and ask theybe more careful in case others feel the same way.Next time you buy tires, just make sure to remind them to clean the tires off thoroughly. Anyway, that's my take.
Mark G
Man you guys are tough!
I've had that happen. It's not hard to do. Thing is, if it is mounting lube, theymay wellhave cleaned it off, but sometimes a little persists just under or around the bead,when ya drive the centrifical force causes what small amount is leftto creep out. I say, just take 5 minutes and hose it off and don't stress yourself out. It'll be a lot faster than driving all the way back to the tire shop,waiting, making a case, sounding like an idiot that doesn't know squat, waiting for the guy to look at it, waiting for another guy to hose it off, then hear them laugh at you when ya drive off. What's your time worth? You could have a good lunch in the time you'd waste. You can always call the shop and tell them what happend and ask theybe more careful in case others feel the same way.Next time you buy tires, just make sure to remind them to clean the tires off thoroughly. Anyway, that's my take.
Mark G
Just what I think.
Be happy they used the lube.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
RE: Question about a tire change
Well I did take out my tire wrench this AM and checked all the lug nuts. The wrench fit perfectly on 75% of them. I had to really work it on the rest, but one of them I had a really hard time getting it all the way on. In fact I could not get it all the way on. I decided to go to another tire dealer closer to my house to have the lug nuts re-torqued because the place where I bought the tires is 35 miles away. They re-torqued with a hand wrench.I asked him about the one lug nut that I was having difficulty with and he tried it with my wrench and said that he did not think that I would have a problem if I needed to remove the tire. As far as the lubricant he said that he never saw anything like it before. LOL. It's not so easy to get off. Yesterday, it was slipery and today it has formed a hard paste. It is also on the back sides of my tires. My main concern is that this material will be a dirt, sand and salt atttactor diring the winter and dirt may build up between the tires and rims. Maybe I am making too much out of this but it never happened before. Now I am worried that they may haveput the lubricant on the lug nuts and studs.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 75
RE: Question about a tire change
You're worrying over nothing.
If it's on the front/back, it's almost surely a tire lube/sealant. And yes, they should have cleaned it off. Just go and get yourself some Weastly's tire cleaner (or anotherwheel cleaner..that WON'T HARM YOUR WHEELS), and spray on, brushwell, and hose off. If that doesn't take it off it might berubberized, in which case it'll probablytakethinner on a rag to get off. A quick wipe would do it. I highly doubt that's the case, though. Tire cleaner should take it off.If it doesn't, that might be the point where yougo back to the dealer. Weastly's is great to have around anyway. Don't worry about if any got on the lugnuts.
If it's on the front/back, it's almost surely a tire lube/sealant. And yes, they should have cleaned it off. Just go and get yourself some Weastly's tire cleaner (or anotherwheel cleaner..that WON'T HARM YOUR WHEELS), and spray on, brushwell, and hose off. If that doesn't take it off it might berubberized, in which case it'll probablytakethinner on a rag to get off. A quick wipe would do it. I highly doubt that's the case, though. Tire cleaner should take it off.If it doesn't, that might be the point where yougo back to the dealer. Weastly's is great to have around anyway. Don't worry about if any got on the lugnuts.
Mudding
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Question about a tire change
Seriously, TAKE IT BACK! It's absurd to expect you to clean up their mess.
You are the customer and you paid good money for the tires and service. Nobody will laugh at you...it's more likely the shop owner would be glad you brought it back and gave them a chance to do it right rather than risk the bad PR from a messy job. He may not even be aware that one of his techs is being careless. If you were my customer, I would thank you for coming back. Too many tire shops competing for your business to allow somethng like that to get out of my shop.
You are the customer and you paid good money for the tires and service. Nobody will laugh at you...it's more likely the shop owner would be glad you brought it back and gave them a chance to do it right rather than risk the bad PR from a messy job. He may not even be aware that one of his techs is being careless. If you were my customer, I would thank you for coming back. Too many tire shops competing for your business to allow somethng like that to get out of my shop.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
RE: Question about a tire change
Thanks Mark you really made me feel better. LOL
Iworry a lot because I live is a REALLY rural area with very harsh winters up a very steep long driveway . So it is very important for me to have my tires in the best condition for the winter. I just got these new Nokian SUV 5's that just came out this year with a new stud system so I want to make sure that they are safe. Thanks again!!
Iworry a lot because I live is a REALLY rural area with very harsh winters up a very steep long driveway . So it is very important for me to have my tires in the best condition for the winter. I just got these new Nokian SUV 5's that just came out this year with a new stud system so I want to make sure that they are safe. Thanks again!!
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
RE: Question about a tire change
"Seriously, TAKE IT BACK! It's absurd to expect you to clean up their mess."
I probably will take it back on Monday. My main concern is that the lubricant will not cause a safety issue between the tire and rims.
I probably will take it back on Monday. My main concern is that the lubricant will not cause a safety issue between the tire and rims.
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