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re: tire wars.

To: alliant.alliant.com!british-cars@cs.utexas.edu,
Subject: re: tire wars.
From: "Brett Engel" <mit-eddie!cs.arizona.edu!brett@EDDIE.MIT.EDU>
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 90 13:54:15 -0700
TeriAnn writes:
>I have learned my lesson long ago about lug nuts.  If I have a dealer mount
>a tyre for my I absolutely INSIST that they put a spot of grease on the lug 
>AND hand tighten the nuts. 
        (more stuff...)

I second TeriAnn's statement!!! I usually vist the tire shop BEFORE I commit
check out the average workmanship, talk to the manager and insist on the 
following: 
ALL:
        1. all lugs hand-torqued (I have brought my torque-wrench at times!0
        1a. _I_ hammer my own knock-offs!! (NO SLEDGEHAMMERS!!!!!!)

        2. I observe the mounting/balancing of all wheels, insit that rough
           static balancing be done (tire rotated rel. to wheel) to minimize
           balance weight.

        5. Check tire for roundness...reject/lathe if needed...

        3. Spin balance, on car if possible...

        4. Weights on inside of wheel if possible


Wire Wheels:
        1. see 1a above

        2. Find some other satisfied customer, remember this is not original
           science, no need to experiment!! besides who gets grants for new
           wheels? :-)

        3. Have them mount a decent wheel, a good shop should not touch a
           wheel with broken/loose spokes. This wheel should be "true" or
           have a known measured runout.( see 5)

        4. Observe closely, Do they hand mount? Did they use enough talc?

        5. GREASE THE SPLINES!!!!!! I use boat wheel bearing grease, seems
           to work, but it doesn't rain much here :-).

        5. Check the wheel for changes in trueness , there should be no change
           from pre-mount measurements. (this is why you should use a spare!)
           (i use a dial-indicator on a piece of I-beam , be inventive)

If the shop passes, do it!!, but don't get complacent, your wheels are not 
training aids for new employees!! Observe and insist on quality! 
BTW: I still have tire irons, use `em too.....


Brett Engel
brett@arizona.edu
University of Arizona


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