Just took my brand new white TDR wheels to a dealer to have tires mounted. The guy was really worried his machine might scrape the paint on the wheels. He said that new wheelsa come with a plastic ring to protect the wheel. The wheel dealer tells me that's not so . . . the plastic is only there for shipping and there should be no issue with damaging the wheels during mounting. Anyone have a fast answer for how to mount tires on a white, cast wheel without ruining the finish??

 

Don't risk it!

MINI of Peabody has a machine specially designed to handle the runflats, alloys, etc. And I know a number of people went elsewhere to tire places that said "it's OK" and it wasn't.

In your case, the tire place is telling you not to risk it - listen to them!

 

I have no experience, but how about try asking the same question to other installers around town? Find one that may have confidence (and experience) installing w/o scraping.

 

If the guy is worried, I'd take the wheels somewhere else. My understanding is that newer, better machines don't actually make contact with the edge of the rims or are designed so they don't scratch. I was really worried recently when I had tires mounted on new wheels. The tire shop did mount without damage to the outside portion of the wheels, but they scratched the heck out of the inside of one. I wasn't happy at all, they chewed out the guys who mounted them, they touched them up, and I finally sanded and repainted to measure up to what I thought they should look like. I'd be picky if I were you. Good luck.

 

Thanks Ian. Just called the tire guy to stop him. He was starting the third wheel and said the first two went on without a problem. So, here's hoping. Boy, maybe I need to get a Dodge truck to live out here in the boonies. 350 mile trip to Peabody to mount a tire is a little out of the way.

But, thank you for your quick and kind counsel.

David

 

On the other hand, if the guy succeeds in doing the tires with no damage, remember him! He was honest enough to worry and careful enough to do a good job (we hope).

 

good points Ian

 

the tape's there as part of the packaging for shipping.

the dealer needs to use the right mounter otherwise, they
will scrape the rim.

spunkytuna says he will sell off his car to charity.

 

for tire mounting balancing people who have the right equipement. You want a non-contact mount/dismount tool, and a roadforce balance machine.

While there are a few dealerships that are on top of stuff, I tend to stay away from dealers for anything but warranty/recal work. They charge some of the highest labor rates, and some aren't very good compared to other performance shops.

Matt

 

I agree with all of the above comments regarding up to date equipment. As it happens I just a couple of hours ago had tires mounted on some freshly powdercoated rims.

My local Discount Tire Co. has a no-contact mounting machine and they didn't mar the brandy-new finish in any way.

If the OP has a Discount Tire outlet nearby (I think they're a nationwide chain) they're worth a call to see if they've got the equipment.

 

I use Discount Tire as well. I was very paranoid about some new SSR wheels I needed to get some Azenis mounted on, and DT assured me they could handle it. They've had my business ever since, and I'm there so often, they've been giving me mounting and balancing for half price.

-Keith

 

really...

 

Well, it's Monday morning and here's the post-game: One wheel has a tiny scratch on the lip of one outer rim, about 1.5 cm. A little metal got pushed up with it. Can't see it from two feet away or when the wheel is rotated so the scratch is anywhere but on top. A little light sand and some rustoleum would probably do the job, but I'm likely to just leave it alone. Of all places, the tire shop was a VIP - one of those discount off the rack parts and chemicals stores. As someone said, honest guys - and about the highest tech we have in these parts. The worst part of the whole experience has been getting the wheels. Four weeks, two vendors, three UPS shipments and I still can't mount the wheels because the wheel mfgr and the vendor insist I don't need hub rings (wheel hub is much larger than 56.1 mm).

 

Mind sharing who vendor is so we can avoid them?

Try Alex at TireRack. If they have the size, I'm sure they'll sell you a set. Others have had good luck with Discount Tires Direct (I think), but you may have to call, I haven't had luck finding these on anyones web site. Last place is to have a machine shop make you some. They are, after all, just really expensive Aluminium washers...

Good luck on the centering rings...

Matt

 

Here is a link to the ebay auctions for metal hubcentric rings that Discount Tire Direct offers. You give them the manufacturer and model of the wheels and the make and model of car, and they send you the correct hub rings. I'm getting ready to order a set for some Enkei wheels for my MC.http://stores.ebay.com/Discount-Tire...QQfsubZ7-Keith

 

Here are the vendors, and the experience: Outmotoring - I've dealt with them before and they have been a good vendor. But, they sent the wrong credit card info (exp date of 2020?) and never called to tell me the card was rejected., So, being impatient, I looked for another vendor - Custom Wheels Direct. They've been trying to work with me and I appreciate their effort, but first they shipped the wheels, then the tuner nut, then the studs (guess they didn't know Mini has tapped rotors) and now I'm waiting for hub rings. The wheel;s are Team Dynamics. Just got off the phone with Custom Wheels who says basically that the rings don't do anything to support the wheel, which is true enough. I had to explain that they center the wheel at mounting so the car doesn't bump bump bump down the road. I've been at this for over a month now - pretty frustrated. As for the rings, it looks like Team D makes rings that are fit to the wheel - locking tabs and all. So, I'll wait a few days more. Thanks for all your input and support.

David

 

Took a closer look at the TDR's last night to check out the hub ring issue. There is a 3/4" offset between the wheel surface which mates with the rotor hub and the inner lip on the wheel which would hold a normal hub ring. This means that a hub ring that presses into the hole in the wheel would not not reach the hub center on the car and would therefore be no use in centering the wheel. So, I may be stuck with waitng for the TDR rings. I admit I don't know if rings from other sources come in thicknesses to account for this condition. But, I thought I'd hang this info out there for anyone considering TDR wheels.