Balancing a SRT8 wheel?

[SSpray]

I read on here that someone had their wheels balanced and the large bolt that holds the wheel on the balance machine scratched the finish on their SRT8 wheel.

Is there any advice on how to make sure this does not happen when taking the car to get the wheels/tires balanced?

Has it happened to anyone else?

[SHADE]

Tell the tire place you scratch it you buy it. They will be real careful after that

[Double]

lol!!!!!!!

[srt8danno]

That’s actually not bad advice. I would take pictures of all four wheels and go over them with the service manager prior to them getting their little monkey hands on them. Then afterward inspect them thoroughly looking for scratches and crap. If you see any ring the bell as their shop just bought you a new wheel. Hey…too bad…they don’t have to be monkeys with the equipment! Good luck!

[Bruceski]

I asked them how do they torque the wheels? Do they use a torque wrench or are their air guns set to the proper torque? This forced them to find the proper spec and use a "torque stick" as they called it.

[SHADE]

Originally Posted by srt8danno

That’s actually not bad advice. I would take pictures of all four wheels and go over them with the service manager prior to them getting their little monkey hands on them. Then afterward inspect them thoroughly looking for scratches and crap. If you see any ring the bell as their shop just bought you a new wheel. Hey…too bad…they don’t have to be monkeys with the equipment! Good luck!

Thats exactly what I did. They scratched my rim and I politely told the manager he just bought it. He cut me a check on the spot.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by SSpray

I read on here that someone had their wheels balanced and the large bolt that holds the wheel on the balance machine scratched the finish on their SRT8 wheel.

Is there any advice on how to make sure this does not happen when taking the car to get the wheels/tires balanced?

Has it happened to anyone else?

Whenever I go to any tire shop I never leave the side of my car. I follow it into the garage and I stand over the tire techs the whole time. The first thing I say is ''no air guns on this car, boys. We're going old school and using a ratchet, extension and proper socket...oh, look, I happen to bring just the one you need."

I have had this happen as well on other cars. The tire guys are trying to look like they are certified Nascar jockeys all the while your car is getting chipped, marked and pitted.

Follow them over to the balancer, too.

Oh yeah, I also tell them - first one to mark up my wheel gets to buy a new one

Not only are you doing a service to yourself, but also to the next person that brings in a valued ride. It makes them think about taking care of valued wheels and vehicles.

When they get done and everything looks good I'll give them $20 for appreciation.

[SHADE]

You tip em? Nice!

[Dan SS2471]

I put the car up on jack stands and just take the wheels to the tire place. Rules out the dings, chips, undercarriage damage, and them using the air gun they normally use on tractor trailer rims to tighten your lug nuts. I learned my lesson one time when I had a flat and had to use a 6' length of stainless steel fence post as a breaker bar to get my lugs loose.

[TheJackal24]

Originally Posted by SSpray

I read on here that someone had their wheels balanced and the large bolt that holds the wheel on the balance machine scratched the finish on their SRT8 wheel.

Is there any advice on how to make sure this does not happen when taking the car to get the wheels/tires balanced?

Has it happened to anyone else?

That would be me...

The first time I got a balance, I had them mount two tires, they did not scratch them. The 2nd time they did a rotate and balance on all four wheels and scratched all four.
By the way, four weeks later, I'm getting new wheels. SRT wheels cannot be reconditioned to factory standards.

There are two workarounds.
1. the shop needs to have a "doughnut" that goes that holds the wheels via the lugs.
2. balance them backwards. Wheel face towards inside of machine. (may not work with all machines)

Just tell them to look at all the wheels and if they scratch them, they buy them. Tell them that and that you will not accept an offer to fix them.

If the tech is careful, you should have no issues with regular equipment.

P.S. Tell them to watch out with the air gun as well, or make them go about it the old fashioned tire iron way.