replacing tires

[Ed Hickey]

I need to replace the tires on my 66 coupe. The car has real knock off reproduction wheels. The local Goodyear dealer says "no problem". I did not have a lot of confidence in their ability since they did not understand why I needed a hammer to take the wheels off.

I called the local used Corvette dealer. The said the wheels use special weights, etc. and they could do the job right. The local Corvette dealer said it required 2 hours of labor to replace 4 tires.

The Corvette dealer is charging a premium price for the Goodyear tires and wants $156.00 labor to mount them. On one hand, 2 hours seems to be a bit long but $156.00 is nothing if the Goodyear dealer wrecks a wheel.

Is there anything different about mounting, balancing and replacing valve stems on a knock off wheel? Is the local Corvette dealer trying to take me to the cleaners?

Thanks,

Ed

[Jim Yount]

Re: replacing tires

Just had the tires replaced on my '65, with knockoffs. Total cost at Costco was $276 for four tires, mounted and balanced (Michelin White walls). They preferred that I bring in the old tires and wheels, and I was happy to do so. No extra charge for the rims, and they treated the wheels (and me) with respect. Shouldn't be any different than mounting tires on mags... with the weights on the inside, of course...

Sounds suspicious, to me!

Jim

[Tom B.]

Re: replacing tires

Ed,

That was probably a good move with the Goodyear dealer, when it comes to him wondering about the spinners, hammer, or removal. It may be another good move to find someone other than the used Corvette dealer, too.

The only caution I've really taken with having someone replace tires on knock-off wheels, is to watch that they don't scratch, damage, or mis-handle the wheel, which is cast aluminum. I have an original set and was always present to watch someone change out the tires. But I've usually known that person, too.

156 bucks for tire changing service seems a little high to me, though. Even for a "qualified" knock-off wheel service, whatever that is. It that because they sell Corvettes? I'm not too sure what they mean by "special weights" either. Surely they don't mean the stick-on type are special. The outer flange of the original knock-off wheel is machined deep enough to accept a wheel balancing weight, but I believe the reproductions have less depth. Regardless, I've always had the weights put on the back side, since I didn't like them on the front. Maybe someone else has had a different experience with the wheel weights.

Maybe you can find something else, Ed, like a local service station that has an individual careful enough to handle mag-type or custom wheels in your area. And it could pay off to get to know the guy, too. That would be my suggestion. TBarr #24014

[Jerry Clark]

Clip on weights:

Like Tom, I have always used stick on weights on my 65, I have seen too many examples of dissimilar metal interaction between the lead weight and the aluminum wheel, even when they are clear coated aftermarket wheels. Stick ons are a compromise but better than dealing with the corrosion possibilities.

jerry

[Jim Yount]

Clarification

I should clarify that the TOTAL cost I paid was $276, INCLUDING THE TIRES!! There was no charge for mounting and balancing, and they did a good, careful job!

[Bill W.]

Re: replacing tires

Mornin' Ed,

You have already learned what you need to know from the other posters about your wheels. Your post mentioned wheel weights for the KO wheels. These were indeed different. The rim shape is different enough between steel wheels and aluminum to require a special weight. These have been discontinued from chevy for years. If you are interested, there is a good article on the Knock-off wheels and their weights in an old issue of Corvette News, sometime in 1964, I think. Bill

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: replacing tires

I have had several sets of tires mounted on my original knock off wheels. Because of personal preference, I instruct them to only put balancing weights on the inside, and to use the stick-on weights. Never had a problem yet. The biggest concern to me has always been the careful mounting and dismounting, so I always find a guy who is willing to use the "mag wheel machine", which will not mar the wheel. Some tire shops have their regular tools which they use for steel wheels, and often they have a separate tool for mags. Check it out, and let the guy know that you are requesting special care. I have never been charged extra yet.