Tire Patching Nightmare! Need Help!
 

I found a screw embedded in the tread of my tire a few days ago, so called my local Mazda dealership and asked if they could patch my tire...they're relatively new with only 1600 miles on them. They assured me they could, only to promply tell me the next day when I came in that they were unable to service 18" rims. They sent me to another local place that said they could do it, and as I stood on the service floor, watched the guy try to get the tire off the rim to no avail. Basically, he said he couldn't do it without scratching the rim up. SO then I went to the local BMW dealer, figuring they deal with nicer cars and larger rims, and they sent me to the place that does thier tires. Now the 4th place that afternoon assured me they could do it without damage and scheduled me for the next day. I came in and they patched the tire, but before I paid I went to look at my rim, and there were two deep scratches on the edge of the rim. Now the manager is buying me a replacement wheel, but won't mount it.

Is anyone else having trouble getting wheels serviced? I can't believe that 18" rims are such a big deal...where can I go? Any advice on a reputable location to get my new wheel mounted? This shouldn't be so hard!

I've had two tires remounted w/o any problems: one at Discount Tires (they used a Hunter GSP9700 balancer) and the other at the Mazda dealer, where I picked up a bolt in the tire in their lot! So for you, maybe a different dealer or Discount can help?

been through it too. I got my tire successfully plugged, but not after the dealer attempted to patch it 5 times and I took it to a normal tire shop. My wheel did pick up at least one nick along the journey somewhere but I didn't pursue getting anyone to pay for it. I've nicked one on my own when rotating them (near the lug area), and picked up another nick on a spoke from who knows what. I'd think a tire specialist could handle it without incident.

Find out where all the ricers in your area get their tires done! There will be at least one shop that specializes in large diameter wheels for the sport compact crowd...

Regards,
Gordon

I didn't think it was necessary to unmount the tire to patch a screw hole. Aren't these normally fixed with plugs?

When my dealer patched my tire, the tech said they won't do plugs for these tires. Something about plugs have fallen out of favor, and they must patch with what looked like UV-light curing.

Maybe it has something to do with these fancy high performance rubber compounds, and plug glue not staying adhered over time? dunno...

The plugs are dangerous and now illegal. Only good way to patch is to remove tire (but really only have to remove one bead) and install a patch with a plug in the centre of it (to ensure you don't get stuff between the belts causing delamination).

I had a roofing nail on the edge of my tire. The tire had to be replaced because of the puncture location. The dealership had a heck of a time getting the tire off the wheel. (three people and two different tire machines) In the end there was considerable damage to the wheel finish. They swapped mine with a wheel off their demo car. Service manager said he intended to have them use my old wheel for practice.:D

So be sure you inspect your wheels before any tire work is done. And again afterwards.

Digital Cameras...most people have them, use them to take pictures to compare with later. That way, there is no..."That was already there before you brought it in sir..."