I recently purchased a new set of wheels for my BMW and of course want to get them mounted up without damage. It seems like a simple request, yet every time I get wheels mounted there is damage. Almost always on the inside barrel, and often even some on the outside face.
1) Is it realistic to expect them not to leave deep gouges on the inner face of the wheel? Can I ask them to use some form of softer jaws? I've asked before and it's almost like tire shops consider this damage "normal".
2) How can I let the tech/manager know that I expect the wheels to remain in new condition without coming across like an ******* customer?
I appreciate these guys work hard for a lowish wage, but I feel like every time I get tires mounted I'm the only one who expects good work.
Your request is very realistic. I've done it many times without ANY damage. At the shop I was at, even a small scratch WASNT acceptable. And that is why we had people bring in rare 1 year only wheels for their classic car, Mercedes AMG rims that can be $1K+ or even once a lamborghini rim, $2500 to replace if I scratched it.
The trick is, the tech has to have his brain screwed in right, and the shop has to have the proper machine.
The scratches/gouges you have on the "inner face" are due to the rimclamps jaws pushing out to clamp the wheel to the machine.
Todays fancy aluminum wheels are very soft, and you CANNOT clamp it to the machine like this if you do not want damage
The tech has to clamp to the bead of the wheel instead. So instead of the jaws expanding outward to press against the wheel, the tech will open the jaws all the way, and have them compress in to grip on the bead, where the tire and wheel usually seal together.
And ANY damage on the outer face is complete technician negligence. This damage is caused by the machines "duckbill" coming in contact with the wheel. The technician must position the duckbill properly for every wheel that goes on the machine. Properly setup, the duckbill will be close enough to the wheel to push the tire onto/off the wheel, but improperly setup and the duckbill will rub against the wheel as the tire presses against it. The technician must set it up properly, and be able to account for possible flex in the machine that may push the duckbill closer to the wheel.
For 100% assurance that no wheel damage will happen due to a duckbill, machine manufactures offer nylon/plastic duckbills that will not damage a wheel if they rub against them. We had one on our old Coats machine. They are a wear item, you have to replace them. It was about yearly replacement for us. They cost some, but are worth every penny. I could mount some REALLY stiff low profile runflats with no issue, those tires would flex the arm the duckbill is on A LOT, and I had no worries with a nylon duckbill.
So yes, your request is VERY realistic, and I have personally completed it many times myself to the customers I worked with.
You mention softer jaws. Coats also offers plastic covers to go over the jaws to help aid in protecting wheels. The plastic covers do wear out over time, and have to be replaced. I didnt use these covers (didnt need to, clamped it as I explained above), but they are available.
You are not an ******* customer for expecting perfection. Because there ARE shops out there who expect that of themselves. Be upfront with the manager, and take photos before your expensive wheels are worked on.
I actually took photos of any damage on the wheel when the car arrived, to prove that it wasnt us who did that damage. When I finished a wheel, it went back on just as it came.
Tell the manager you expect them to be this way, and if his shop is not capable, you will take it elsewhere.
also, I may be new here (hello everyone) but please dont listen to oldwizard's post above. You do not weigh enough to push a low profile BMW tire onto its rim, sorry. you could mount a P235/75/15 pickup tire on a hot sunny day his way, but no way in hell you're doing that on yours.
and murphy's is still made. We bought it by the 5 gallon bucket. Google Murphy's tire soap if you don't believe me.
