i need to vent... <tire balance> | FerrariChat
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i need to vent... <tire balance>

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by enjoythemusic, Apr 25, 2006.

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  1. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
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    Steven
    #1 enjoythemusic, Apr 25, 2006
    Have never just posted a beyotch but am sooo pissed! Ok, so the new rims and Mich Pilot Cup race rubber are here (and why i posted this on this section). Happy me bought the new Ford support truck and so the story continues. Ok, i know those guys and they have been good to me. Plus being a dealer i bet their machine is more on the newer side, etc.

    Ok, so this morning i go in for my scheduled appointment and all starts ok. Then the guy first wants to use those crappy hammer on side weights(!). WTF!! NO NO this is a machine where you can add weight in different places because the Hunter tells the tire tech... So anyway, they use the 1/4 oz. weights, but ONLY in the center. i ask him why when the machine can... Lastly, the guy doing the balancing seemed to not be fully familiar with the machine and had to get directions from another tech. i BEG the knowledgable tech to PLEASE do the rims, but no luck.

    Worse still, the Ford guy leaves enough tire lube stuff on the rims so that when i get home the rims are dripping, a few of the weights have fallen off, etc. HOLY H@...


    Naturally i see the liquid mess on the rims, use brake cleaner and clean the rims up. So i go back to the Ford dealership and basically they tell me this is why they want to use the rim weights, but since insisting on the others i am SOL. No refund, no rebalance, nada. Now keep in mind i purchased the new Ford support vehicle from them and THIS is how they treat me. They KNOW me from my truck purchase.

    Peeved, i leave and go across the street to Express Tire Center. The tire techs see my track car behind the truck and get all happy. i go in, ask what machine they use, lucky day it is also the same Hunter machine. The tire tech tells me he just re-calibrated the machine, they balance the tires. Low and behold the tires need MUCH LESS added weights than at Ford. Add to that, the kids did the proper outerrim/center/innerrim for the weights, unlike Ford who only used center (so why do they bother with having a machine?).

    Anywho, Ford was $60, Express was $25 and i tipped the Express guys $10 total (tried tipping the Ford guy just because, but he did not want a tip).

    Anywho, i am just sooo pissed that Ford scr%wed me and they don't seem to care. Needless to say, i WILL BE writing a letter to the company and sending it certified mail (as that usually gets someone's attention). How hard can it be to balance a tire using a machine that basically is fool proof. DOH, answered my own question, Ford's tire guy is a f...

    Oh, as for the Mich Pilot Cups, they grip like MADMEN!!!! These are my first r-compound rubber. Can now also see the Mich PS2 have too many heat cycles or just plain fallen away way too far for track use, even for rain days :(
     
  2. kirill

    kirill Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    584
    Illinois
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    Kirill
    #2 kirill, Apr 25, 2006
    i know some guys just gave up and bought their own tire balancing machine. Probably worthy investment.
     
  3. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #3 enjoythemusic, Apr 25, 2006
    Ya know, that may not be a bad idea. Still, the guys at Express REALLY did a great job for a mere $25...
     
  4. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Don the 16th
    #4 don_xvi, Apr 25, 2006
    Unfortunately, your reasoning in going to the dealer was flawed.
    Those guys get paid a set amount per job, not by the hour, so dealership techs always find and take the quickest way out. That guy probably got paid 0.4 hours for the balance job, so if he can rip it out in 0.3 he's made 0.1 hours' pay. They will "never" (always exceptions!) be the ones to take the extra time to do the bang-up job you wanted.

    Your best bet, based on my history autocrossing full-size cars, is to take all of your race tire ordering and mounting business to one place so the staff gets to know you. Then they'll put the experienced guys on your stuff.

    As for comparing your PS2s vs. the race tires... welcome to the big leagues, not sure why you say the PS2s are beat... they just can't compare.
     
  5. ctkellett

    ctkellett Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
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    Havertown PA
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    Chris K.
    #5 ctkellett, Apr 25, 2006
    Do yourself a favor and clean the rims with a bit of cleaner and put some racing tape over all of the weights before you head out on the track, you would not like to lose one at speed and no one else wants to hit it.

    Have fun.
     
  6. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
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    Apr 27, 2001
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    #6 Meister, Apr 25, 2006
    If you've found guys who treat you right, remember your car, show interest, etc... keep going to them! Keeping your F-car (or any special interest car) running is about building relationships with people who actually care.

    Corporate outfits/chains/dealers, etc hire vo-tech drop outs because most people drive ordinary cars and they (dirvers or employess) don't know the difference or couldn't care less.

    There are a lot of areas in which a "local" guys can really help you when it comes to things like this.

    One of the easiest things in life to do is say "no!" Some people use that as a crutch and others use it as motivation..........
     
  7. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #7 enjoythemusic, Apr 26, 2006
    DON... ahhh, now it all makes sense. And yes, have a feeling the PS2 aint beat as i may think, they can't compare.

    CTKELLETT... excellent advice and already done.

    MEISTER... agree and you can bet i will go back to Express. When the PS2 gets spent will order the replacement wet track day (and daily public road beater) Goodyears from them.


    Hopefully my first track day with R-compound (Thursday) will be a good one. Am tuning the car to the new Mich Cups in prep for Watkins Glenn May 1, 2, 3, and 4.
     
  8. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

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    #8 Birdman, Apr 26, 2006
    When I bought new tires for the 308 last year, I called around to a couple places and ended up buying them NOT from the cheapest place I could find, but from the place where the guy took the most time with me to make sure I got what I wanted. When it came time for mounting and balancing, I explained the situation (expensive, new Ferrari wheels) and he put his best guy on it and explained to him that these were wheels for a Ferrari and he didn't want to see a single scratch on them. The guy took his time. It was 90 minutes to mount and balance all 4 and he was happy to let me watch (because I was curious to see the process but also because I wanted to keep an eye on him). I couldn't have been more happy with the experience and will go back to them for tires forever now. They made a very good customer out of me.

    When I got the car aligned I did the same thing, except I started with an Fchat inquiry asking about the best place for an alignment. When I made the appointment they said they did lots of Ferraris and knew how to treat such a car. When I got there, they did the same thing: put the best guy on it, used the best machine (they have two) and took their time. (They also let me watch and didn't give me any crap about not being in the bay because of insurance regulations.) I couldn't believe that for a $69 alignment, they took well over an hour to get it just right. They were fantastic. Again, I'm a fan for life. Good business.

    And people wonder why dealerships get such a bad rap? They apparently deserve it. You can probably get away with skimping on balancing the wheels on some old beat up Ford F-150 but not a Ferrari where the owner is going to stand there and make sure its done right. Duh!

    Birdman
     
  9. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #9 enjoythemusic, Apr 26, 2006
    Amen, and in hindsight i blew it. Simply knew they had a newish tire balance machine that was very good, had good service before from them, plus originally got the truck from them so i ASSUMED... My bad, never again. In fact will not use another Ford dealer for the remainder of servicing. They lost me for life.
     
  10. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

    Mar 26, 2003
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    #10 tuttebenne, Apr 26, 2006
    And I suspect this isn't the last time you will be telling this story. Isn't it amazing how some people (your Ford dealer for example) just don't "get" what good customer service is worth?
     
  11. Dubai Vol

    Dubai Vol Formula 3

    Aug 12, 2005
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    #11 Dubai Vol, Apr 26, 2006
    It's not just that Ford dealer. Ford of America is horrible. I had to junk a car becasue I couldn't get parts through Ford, parts that were readily available (german-built Ford sold in the US) but Ford US refused to order them. This was pre-internet and I was stuck with a car the couldn't be repaired for lack of a $50 part.

    And yes, I tell that story every chance I get: DON'T BUY A FORD!
     
  12. John Se

    John Se Karting

    Mar 15, 2005
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    Scottsdañe
    #12 John Se, Apr 26, 2006
    retail is about equal with food and beverage (lowest skill of labor), I just go to the goodyear race tire dealer for all my needs, they know balancing and usually have guys working there that have been there mor than a week.
     

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