Community Forums

Isaac-1 · 03-21-2021, 01:50 PM

What is it about tire shops that the people that work there don't understand proper inflation pressure or proper lug nut torque?

I just had new tires installed on my motorhome this week (Sumitomo ST719 225/75-19.5N LR-F). While at the tire shop I told the guys installing the tires to fill them to 75 psi front, and 80 psi rear, and to torque them to 175 pounds, and even loaned them my 175 pound torque stick for the impact wrenches.

I then sat back at a moderate social distancing distance and watched.

The tire shop I dealt with mostly deals with commercial truck and off road industrial tires, so at one point I see one of the guys looking at the sidewall and shouting to the other guy that these tires only go to 95 psi (Load range F), I then reminded them 75 psi front, 80 psi rear.

I watch them install the tires, they did ok on the front two using the torque stick correctly , but then on the back ones I caught one of them initially snugging down the wheels with there standard impact socket before switching to the torque stick, so chances are it was over torqued before they even put the torque stick on the impact wrench. I just sort of shook my head and decided I would fix it myself when I got home. (I was going to have to be pulling one of the back tires anyway as they could not get the inner wheel valve extension to not leak (seal on it is mangled), I don't know if they did it trying to reinstall cross threaded or something, either way I had to order a new one, which will be here in a couple of days, and will deal with it then.

I even anticipated their competence level, so I removed the TPMS sensors and the wheel simulators before I took it in. Yet they still managed all this.

Oh, I almost forgot the best part, I checked the cold air pressure this morning 84.5 front 89.5 rear, but hey at least both sides were the same (9.5 psi above what I told them, no wonder the front end felt twitching on the 20 mile drive back to the storage shed).

Ike

1320Fastback · 03-21-2021, 02:03 PM

I always mount my own tires, static balance them and torque to spec. I am still young(ish) and can do it. Last time the wife had to have a spare put on her truck by roadside they cross threaded a lug and it sheared off when I removed it to fix the tire. They paid for the parts from Toyota after I called and explained to them that their driver was a idiot.

arcaguy · 03-21-2021, 02:14 PM

Ya, but they're a hoot when they get drunk and dance in the bonfire!

n2zon · 03-21-2021, 06:05 PM

They guys at our local tire shop did fine. The only bobble was a bad valve stem extension, but they did a (free!) road service call to our driveway and fixed it. Inflation pressures properly set, torques done right, TPMS sensors reinstalled in the right places, and all.

HopsBrewster · 03-22-2021, 08:19 AM

There are bad tire shops and not-so-bad tire shops. You found a bad one. Next time you'll know better.

geordi · 03-22-2021, 08:27 AM

I've found that while it might be a bit more expensive (or at least feel that way) to go to a genuine truck service center like Speedco or Petro /TA Truckservice.... They might only be a bit squishy on servicing your RV until you explain what you want.

At that point, they are in full "do it right b/c the driver lives with his vehicle" mode just like with a commercial trucker.

They don't do the balancing (at least I haven't paid for it b/c I have Centramatics) and they will either sell you what they have / order what you want / or install what you brought - doesn't bother them at all.

Last go-around with TA TruckService I had 6 tires mounted, oil change, install a Fumoto valve, and full chassis grease all for $400. Very happy. I brought them the tires and they did it right, and re-torqued after 100+ miles for free.

timjet · 03-24-2021, 06:04 AM

Years ago I had new tires on my station wagon installed and after installation started out on our week vacation driving from FL to N.C. We didn't get 100 miles from the tire shop before one of the tires blew due to severe over inflation.

I always check tire pressures after new tires are installed. I have NEVER seen the pressures by the tire shop be the same as the recommended pressures as placarded on the inside door frame. They are always over pressure.

petrel · 03-24-2021, 06:49 AM

IMHO service can go wrong for anything, not just tire shops. Doesn't matter if it is a valve adjustment or an awning replacement, or anything in between. Read reviews, get references, and still just hope for the best is all you can do.

I'm not saying that this applies to the OP, but an awful lot of folks simply shop for the best price and do not do the diligence on the service provider's reputation. It appears to me that shops that must drive business with low prices have a higher likelihood of utilizing unsupervised novice personnel or worst yet personnel who are not conscientious.

IBDAGRIZ · 03-24-2021, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timjet

I have NEVER seen the pressures by the tire shop be the same as the recommended pressures as placarded on the inside door frame. They are always over pressure.

I always have the opposite problem, underinflated.

I run Yokohama tires on my Charger and the stock inflation is for 30lbs, but the Yoko's for max load are 50 and I run them at 45 usually.

I usually just hang by the bay door and remind the guy to go to 45 on them.

Griz

Ray,IN · 03-24-2021, 06:45 PM

So, was their air gauge incorrect or yours, and how did you determine which was correct?

timjet · 03-25-2021, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

So, was their air gauge incorrect or yours, and how did you determine which was correct?

I have several tire gauges both digital and analog. All are within a lb or two. It's been my experience with tire shops they over inflate by 7 lbs or more. I have confidence in my gauges but 7 or more lbs is not a gauge accuracy problem.

TXiceman · 03-25-2021, 05:21 AM

Just had tires put on my dually and they got the tire pressure right on the nose of what I asked them to do. The only hic-up was getting the inner and outer tires properly clocked so that I had access to both valve stems. This seems to be a common mistake, so I go and watch from the door and watch and correct them if I see a problem.

I have the same issue at Ford on oil changes and prefilling the oil filter before installing it on the truck. They will install the filter dry and start the engine with a dry filter unless I watch them.

Ken

Gammel · 03-27-2021, 11:29 AM

Not many tire shops recruit at Cal Tech or MIT.

BobinICT · 03-27-2021, 01:23 PM

Tire guys are just one little notch, and not much, above oil change boys. Been in a lot of different shops as a former tool truck guy. You see all kinds doing that. But, somebody has to do it. Not everyone can do their own maintenance.