Tyre Fitting Precautions

[Andy C]

Couple of new fronts needed for 296 to pass re-rego. Browsing this forum I have found some precautionary advice I need to impart to the selected workshop. As I would assume that no-one here can recommend a supplier/fitter in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, I will most likely go with the local guy were I have seen all the Porsches and Ferraris. Please add to this list any other items I need to insist upon. Unfortunately, it is unlikely I will be around to supervise.

1. Usage of correct jacking points so no damage done to the car when jacking.
2. No air-guns used when replacing the wheels and the correct (suggested) torque used.
3. Do not hit out the centre caps from the inside with a hammer (two thumbs from the outside IS all it takes)
4. Check they get the rotation direction right.

I will also be getting an alignment and will be supplying them with the appropriate pages from the manual. Is there anything else I need to tell them regarding this.

I will be fitting Goodyear F1's, as the current Michilens I am replacing are not made anymore, and at $198.00 each (about 80 quid) they seem like a good deal.

[TheBard]

Looks like a good list, and I'm sure someone smarter than I will add to it.

However, from my own experience, give them the list, then stay and ask to watch. Then when they take the hammer to remove the center cap, you can scream "Oi, no!!!" at them, and avoid any disasters!!!

Good luck,

Ian

[DeeAitch]

Stick on balance weights on the inside please

[Sy V]

Yes, I agree adhesive weights behind the spokes, not on the visible rims!

[woody]

Is it still possible to fix the weights on the inside rim with the Wilwood brake set up, or will the weights catch the brake calipers.
Cheers,
Woody

[nitroman]

It is certainly possible. It is not advisable to take the wheels off the car yourself and drop them off though, the way I usually did in the past. There is too much chance (weights mounted on the inside) that they will put the weights inline with a "brake" obstacle. So it is wise to drop the car off or wait, as well as mentioning that you have oversize brakes with minimal clearance to be sure they have this in mind as they work.

Been there, done that. They must have a real flunky drive your car to the "pickup" area, as only a moron could miss the "clunk, clunk, clunk" noise as your wheels rotate!

[chris.t]

the tool they use to take the tyre off in the wrong hands can badly graunch the rims. I always say that the wheels are in perfect condition and get them to agree as well so that you have got some leverage if there is any damage

[Andy C]

Well .. I suppose it doesn't matter how much stuff you tell people, or how many guidelines you set out in writing, they will always find a way to do some sort of damage.



Luckily its not really that bad, most can be repaired with a bit of rubbing back and some paint. The chips at the jacking point may need a bit more work. Atleast I now know where NOT to go back to.

Bastards

[Sy V]

Bastards, indeed!

Did you confront them about their vandalism?

[Doug]

You can probably just repair with some black underbody goo spray which will seal and protect the area around the jackpoint.

tip = always put a 3/4" socket on the jackpoint nipple so the jack contacts the socket and this will keep the jack or body lift from touching anything but the socket so the car can't get damaged.

[Paul.P]

I would make the bastards pay for it Andy, especially if you gave them all the warnings before hand, & if they won't, threaten them with legal action.........or action of your own

[Sy V]

Doug

I may be wrong here 'cos I'm not a rich S2 owner, but I think the jacking point design is different on the S2 - the 3/4" or 19mm socket is an SE tip, me thinks.

[ailwyn]

Andy,

Sorry to see the damage that's been done, the place that caused the damage should be paying to have it properly repaired.

On a more general note, I agree with Nitro's comments above, however given the damage that Andy has been left with I think I'll be taking the wheels off myself.

Feel rather uneasy about leaving the monkeys loose on any car, but given the damage which can easily be done to the elan I'm even more wary.

Anyone have a picture of where the balancing weights should be fitted to eliminate the clearence problems with the wilwood upgrade? Perhaps that will be sufficient direction for even a trainee to follow without cocking it up?

Ailwyn

[ailwyn]

Doug

I may be wrong here 'cos I'm not a rich S2 owner, but I think the jacking point design is different on the S2 - the 3/4" or 19mm socket is an SE tip, me thinks.

I had my S2 on a jack a week or two ago and deliberately avoided the side jacking points, but I think they still look like studs hanging down, so the tip might still be valid.

I will have a look later and let you know.

Ailwyn

[Sy V]

Thanks Ailwyn, I'll stand corrected.

The reason I said it was that I came across an S2 jack a few years back and its head arrangement was entirely different to the SE jack's.

[Paul.P]

Must admit, the two times ive had to have tyres replaced, ive took my wheels off & took them seperately. Now thats only any good if youv'e got some spare wheels, but i don't know anybody local i would trust. Its like Doug said in another thread, you just can't trust anybody nowadays, most people don't care, they just clock in & out, this is why i think its important not to just let them get away with it, because whilst we do, they will just carry on doing it !

[Dico]

Last time i had a punture i drove to the garage and removed my wheel outside.

Trust nobody

[Andy C]

I revisited the workshop as soon as possible after I noticed the damage .. the manager was not in (of course). I then took the photos and emailed them off to him.

Spoke to the manager this morning .. he said he did not receive my emails. He catagoricaly denied that him or his workshop had anything to do with any damage to my vehicle .. he said it was "not possible" for any of his equipment to cause such damage .. basically saying that I had done it myself. Can't say I really expected any different response. I will follow up some more, but I am thinking it will be put down as a lesson learnt. It could have been alot worse.

I hate to admit it, but I think I am going to have to go with Dico

Trust nobody

[Rambo]

Personally Andy I would threaten them with legal action and if they don't budge follow it up with a Solicitor's/Lawyers letter. We have a god system in Scotland called a "Small Claims" procedure which allows an individual to pursue relatively small claims through the Civil courts and providing you have the tenacity, persistence and good evidence, usually works.

As Dico says

Trust nobody

Mind you, this is from someone who allowed his best pal to remove his engine. LOL - it's probably being fitted to Pinky II as we speak !!

Mark

[Dico]

I hate to admit it, but I think I am going to have to go with Dico

Aint such a bad thing

Call me a pushover but maybe a case of just accepting it. Sometimes its easier than going through any further stress.

Rambo,

Montys the equivalent of Tyrone off corrie

Monty aka Grease monkey