Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Lotus99]

So I got a set of summer tires from Tire Rack a few months ago and am going to get them installed now locally. I was going to go to this one shop I've heard does a good job, but when I asked them if they do Road Force balancing, they laughed it off as old technology, and that their machine is even better, with a laser.

Is that true?

So after that, I started searching, and it turns out that Tire Rack does have a preferred installer locally (must be recent, because last year they weren't approved), that uses these machines:

• Mounting Equipment: Corghi Artiglio Master 26
• Balancing Equipment: Hunter GSP9700 RoadForce balancer

So I'm debating where to go...
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Originally Posted by Lotus99

I was going to go to this one shop I've heard does a good job, but when I asked them if they do Road Force balancing, they laughed it off as old technology

That's because they're a bunch of morons...

Go to the "preferred" installer and get it done there. While they are balancing them, make sure to get the road force numbers for each wheel/tire assembly; that way, if you experience vibration out of one or more wheels, you'll at least have a starting point and figures to go off of.

[Revlis]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

That's because they're a bunch of morons...

Go to the "preferred" installer and get it done there. While they are balancing them, make sure to get the road force numbers for each wheel/tire assembly; that way, if you experience vibration out of one or more wheels, you'll at least have a starting point and figures to go off of.

Yeah, if you really drive your car, are in tough with your car you may actually feel the difference between roadforce/non-roadforce balancing. Had this issue with both my last 335i and the 370Z. Roadforce= perfect smooth rolling regardless of speed, non-roadforce = various vibes and weirdness at certain speeds.

No roadforce isn't magic, but it's really handy with cars that have some feel left in them.

Also, watch them install some wheels before you go in, if you hear airguns Hammering away during install go elsewhere. If you see hand spun lugs, then taped up sockets and torque wrenches you should be good to go. This is my litmus test. Some places will use a slow gentle impact wrench for the initial hand tight for efficiency, and you can hear the difference. But if you hear NASCAR style impact speeds when installing? GTFO

[Lotus99]

Thanks guys. That's what I figured. They're just trying to get the business.

[VMRWheels]

Nothing wrong with Road Force Balancing at all, and I wouldn't let them deter you from going to any preferred installers. We use a Road Force Balancer here!

Originally Posted by Revlis

Also, watch them install some wheels before you go in, if you hear airguns Hammering away during install go elsewhere. If you see hand spun lugs, then taped up sockets and torque wrenches you should be good to go. This is my litmus test. Some places will use a slow gentle impact wrench for the initial hand tight for efficiency, and you can hear the difference. But if you hear NASCAR style impact speeds when installing? GTFO

Pretty much...that's the reason why I don't trust 99.9% of shops with my car anymore. I show up with the wheels in the back of my truck instead, so the chance of them screwing something up is as low as possible.

[jeffro535]

Turns out my dealer price matched the local tire shops when i got new rubber for the 335 and they do the road force balance. No vibe at any speed or condition and has remained that way for for awhile now. Impressive, I'm converted.
Definitely have had bad experiences with the big chains and wheel torque as well. I always check it when someone else puts the wheels on the car, and almost always I wind up re-torquing. Twice Discount has given me a car back missing a lug bolt.