Tyre Fitters!!

[black fingernail]

Not strictly relevant, but back when I was a humble tyre fitter we had a balancing machine that you could put the wheel on bare, spin it up, then fit the tyre and spin it up again and it would tell you whether you should break the beads and rotate the tyre to get it better balanced before putting on any weights. A bit long-winded, but I'm one of those that doesn't like loads of weights. The balancer was also clever enough to be able to hide the weights behind the wheel spokes. Again, lots of faffing about, but a hidden weight is a happy weight.

Damn this keyboard, think it's losing the "o".

As an apprentice, I used to get all the good jobs!! The balancer was a cone that fit into the centre of the wheel with a round spirit level type 'bubble' , the idea was to get the bubble in the centre. When the dynamic balancer arrived, they didn't let me play with it for a long time, we thought it was witchcraft.

 

[t-tony]

I used to do "on the car" balancing. That could be fun.

Tony.

 

[black fingernail]

I used to do "on the car" balancing. That could be fun.

Tony.

yes, done that.. good fun, especially with manky budget remoulds, that tried to shake it to bits!!

 

[Devon Z]

yes, done that.. good fun, especially with manky budget remoulds, that tried to shake it to bits!!

Yep done that back in the day sometimes like riding a bucking bronco

I always just take the wheels in, though I did have to get a puncture done on the RR sport done and obviously couldn’t get that wheel in the Zed so had to take the car in, I asked the service guy if they could not use an air gun as the wheel bolts have stainless caps built in and can damage easily, they were aware of the issue and happily used a socket and torqued them correctly.

I must be honest I’ve been using my local Kwik Fit (yes I know) for many years for Mot, tyres and tracking on all my cars and I’ve never had anything but good service.

 

[black fingernail]

I must be honest I’ve been using my local Kwik Fit (yes I know) for many years for Mot, tyres and tracking on all my cars and I’ve never had anything but good service.

I think I'm grudgingly going to give the big chains a go, I have always tried hard to find a local independent that comes recommended, but lately I have been let down badly, my pet MOT bod has got far too forensic, putting things like clutch adjustment on the advisories! There are a few more horror stories regarding locals.
I think there has been so much bad press regarding the chains, they have had to get their act together, so, they will be my next port of call for tyres etc. Most repairs will still be done by me, until senility sets in.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Advisories on clutch adjustment?????? WTF, as I believe the young people would have it.

 

[black fingernail]

Advisories on clutch adjustment?????? WTF, as I believe the young people would have it.

Yes, he absolutely murdered my old Jag, look it up yourself, reg. no. AY05 MGJ, he started testing it from 2016.
If you read this before buying it, you would walk away, but, in reality, it is in quite good nick.

 

[t-tony]

Yes, he absolutely murdered my old Jag, look it up yourself, reg. no. AY05 MGJ, he started testing it from 2016.
If you read this before buying it, you would walk away, but, in reality, it is in quite good nick.

Anyone who has a real grievance about how their vehicle was tested, and yes that does include advisory comments, should complain to their local VOSA (DVSA) inspectorate , the local press and Motoring Groups.
Until they do these idiot testers are more empowered to write what ever they like about your vehicle without any fear of being held to account. Its high time this was looked into.

Tony.

 

[MAXTHEDOG]

Excellent, very informative thread.