Tire problems

[Daniel]

Monday I noticed the air in my front passenger tire was low for the third or fourth time. I took the tire off to look for a hole. I couldn't find one so I took it inside and put it into the tub to find where the air was leaking. I found leaks by a wheel weight on the inside rim. I filled the tire back up and took it to a tire shop on Tuesday.

I spoke to them by phone at lunch. I was told that they could not find the leak. They said that they would remove the wheel and check it out. When I was called back I was told that the inner sidewall was cracked and bad. They only had a single kelly brand tire that would fit. I told them to just put the full size spare on and that I would see about ordering some when I came to pick it up. My spare tire is just like the other four so I wasn't really worried about it. They called back to say that the spare was flat and had a bulge in the side wall when they aired it up. I then told them to put the single Kelly tire they did have on it and that I would order some tires when I came in. So at this point I spent just under $100 to replace my spare.

I came in that night and was shown three tires. I picked the first tire. A Michelin. They said they would order two and they would be in the next day. The next day I came in around noon and dropped my car off. I called at 3 and they said it was done. I picked my car up and went home.

This morning I notice that the car seemed to be pulling to the right on the way in to work. When I got there I had left my wallet at home and had to go pick it up. As I was walking out I noticed that my right front tire is low again. I go home put air into the tire and grab my wallet and head back to the tire store. They take it inside and the guy comes back and tells me that I have a crack in my wheel and that is why the tire is low. I ask him if they saw this crack when they changed my tires the day before and he says no. I then said put the new tire onto the spare and Ill just have to get a new wheel later. He tells me the tire is ruined and I will need a new one. I reply that I just bought them the day before. He goes back out and comes back and says that the tire should be ok. I asked to see the crack and it is pretty substantial.

My thinking is that they somehow ****ed up putting the tire on. When I went home to put air in the tire and grab my wallet I hit a bump or something that then cracked the wheel. So now I have spent 100 on one tire 350 or so on the other two and I will have to buy a new wheel as I put my new tire on the spare wheel.

When I put the wheel into the tub to find the original leak it did not have a crack.

I will be contacting this place and seeing wtf is up later today.

[Krull]

Hmm something is afoot at the circle k.

[SavageSig]

Sounds like they're trying to put the screws to you. I'd say the chances of them giving you some help is almost nil. If you take it to court, you might get some traction if you spend a fortune on specialists who can say that the shop must have cracked the wheel. I wish you luck.

I'm starting to think that taking photographs of every inch of your car before handing it over to anybody for anything is a good idea. That's the only bullet proof way to prove that you're right in situations like this, and any car repair is an expensive repair.

[MacGyver]

Sounds like you might have had a slightly bent wheel or stress fracture to begin with causing the original leak. Putting a bad wheel on a tire machine and introducing that stress could certainly make that small crack a lot bigger.

I would argue your case that there was not a visible crack when you took the wheel off and try and get them to split the difference. It sounds like you would have eventually ended up buying a wheel anyway, just not the new tire(s).

[Daniel]

I have pics of the leak when it was in my tub.

[MacGyver]

I'd definitely argue your case. You might not get it all back, but it's worth the shot.

[Daniel]

Yeah my wife likes to argue and she said we are heading there in a couple of hours lol

[Volzfan]

Sounds like you need a better tire shop!

I use Steve Bass Tire here in South Nashville and nobody will beat him as far as customer service. His prices may be a bit higher than another place but I keep going back anyway!

[Mike.357]

I second the motion for a better tire shop. I have used NTB for years,

here and in Fla.

Can't you just use an inner-tube with some duct tape?

[Guest clownsdd]

Who are these people and where are they so we can stay away from them. If you are in Memphis, 61 Tire at Lamar and Knight Arnold does a great job...no I don't work there, just have used them for 20yrs.

[tnhawk]

It's time to find a better tire dealer.

[Motasyco]

Long, long ago, in a state far away (NY), I had an issue with rust forming between the wheels and the tires on a car. I took it to three different places, told them what the problem was, suggested using a wire wheel to remove the rust and then coat it up with bead sealer. For several months, I had to carry a 12V compressor around with me to keep air in the tires. Long story short, I ended up buying a tire removal setup so I could remove the tires and do the job myself. It was then done right and never had another problem.

I hate to say it but if you want something done right, get at it.

[56FordGuy]

Is the crack where the wheel weight was when you found the original leak? Is it a steel wheel or aluminum?

I agree with what was said earlier, probably a very tiny crack that opened up once they put it on the machine.

[Daniel]

Is the crack where the wheel weight was when you found the original leak? Is it a steel wheel or aluminum?

I agree with what was said earlier, probably a very tiny crack that opened up once they put it on the machine.

I do believe that the crack was under the weight. They/I couldnt find it because it was under the weight. Once they removed the tire and put a new one on that weight I think was no longer in the same place to help slow the loss of air. I think it then got bigger. I spoke with the manager and he said he could give me another tire for free. I am for that.

I have used them for my last two sets on my car and one or two on my wife's. Additionally my in-laws have used them with no problems.

Sorry to say I wont be anymore.

The shop in question is the American Tire in Belle Meade. Right at the HWY 100/HWY 70 split.

[Alpha7]

Monday I noticed the air in my front passenger tire was low for the third or fourth time. I took the tire off to look for a hole. I couldn't find one so I took it inside and put it into the tub to find where the air was leaking. I found leaks by a wheel weight on the inside rim. I filled the tire back up and took it to a tire shop on Tuesday.

I spoke to them by phone at lunch. I was told that they could not find the leak. They said that they would remove the wheel and check it out. When I was called back I was told that the inner sidewall was cracked and bad. They only had a single kelly brand tire that would fit. I told them to just put the full size spare on and that I would see about ordering some when I came to pick it up. My spare tire is just like the other four so I wasn't really worried about it. They called back to say that the spare was flat and had a bulge in the side wall when they aired it up. I then told them to put the single Kelly tire they did have on it and that I would order some tires when I came in. So at this point I spent just under $100 to replace my spare.

I came in that night and was shown three tires. I picked the first tire. A Michelin. They said they would order two and they would be in the next day. The next day I came in around noon and dropped my car off. I called at 3 and they said it was done. I picked my car up and went home.

This morning I notice that the car seemed to be pulling to the right on the way in to work. When I got there I had left my wallet at home and had to go pick it up. As I was walking out I noticed that my right front tire is low again. I go home put air into the tire and grab my wallet and head back to the tire store. They take it inside and the guy comes back and tells me that I have a crack in my wheel and that is why the tire is low. I ask him if they saw this crack when they changed my tires the day before and he says no. I then said put the new tire onto the spare and Ill just have to get a new wheel later. He tells me the tire is ruined and I will need a new one. I reply that I just bought them the day before. He goes back out and comes back and says that the tire should be ok. I asked to see the crack and it is pretty substantial.

My thinking is that they somehow ****ed up putting the tire on. When I went home to put air in the tire and grab my wallet I hit a bump or something that then cracked the wheel. So now I have spent 100 on one tire 350 or so on the other two and I will have to buy a new wheel as I put my new tire on the spare wheel.

When I put the wheel into the tub to find the original leak it did not have a crack.

I will be contacting this place and seeing wtf is up later today.

Granted they do sound like dumbasses but seems to me like it was cracked before hand and they just didnt catch it. Alot of times I have had flats and run water over them trying to find the leak it didnt work. Then I would get a bucket of soapy water and use a sponge and wipe the tire and eventually I could see it spit, then I would just patch it up and be down the road.

[Daniel]

Read my previous post.

[Alpha7]

Read my previous post.

I did, I still dont think it was their fault. Of course someone has to catch blame for something sometime. Just like with computers 90% of problems are ID10T (idiot operator) errors yet someone else always gets blamed for it. I am not calling you an idiot so dont think I am but I am not so sure this is their fault.

[EMTRN]

Who are these people and where are they so we can stay away from them. If you are in Memphis, 61 Tire at Lamar and Knight Arnold does a great job...no I don't work there, just have used them for 20yrs.

61 tire is great! My Smith was my uncle's Father in law. My family has been going there for years. I still remember the deals that Corbitt would give me when I was a poor teenager. Good people.

[Daniel]

I did, I still dont think it was their fault. Of course someone has to catch blame for something sometime. Just like with computers 90% of problems are ID10T (idiot operator) errors yet someone else always gets blamed for it. I am not calling you an idiot so dont think I am but I am not so sure this is their fault.

Im not saying its their fault that it was cracked. I am saying that essentially I paid them just under 500$ to find that crack/problem I reported to keep damage from happening.

I paid them to do work on that wheel on two seperate days and neither day they found it. They removed the wheel weight after the first day. So if that was hiding the crack it should have been apparent.

They told me the leak was because of a crack in the inner sidewall of the original tire. Sounds like that was not the case. They did not find the problem and damage was caused.

A new tire, I dont feel, is not unreasonable. I am still buying my own wheel.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Daniel

[KahrMan]

The shop in question is the American Tire in Belle Meade. Right at the HWY 100/HWY 70 split.

I drive past them every day but I have never used them. Sounds like an ok resolution but I can see how it would leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Rhea Little in Brentwood have always done a good job for me.