Dealer damaged rims?

[WaltB]

The dealer balanced my tires this weekend. I picked it up after they was closed and noticed markings where the old weight was located. I've never had any issues with this before so I went up there and talked to the service manager. He said this is normal because the weights were placed in a different spot. One of them was really bad and he agreed. So, he told me he would replace all the rims (05 sport) but he would use sticky weights and never balance my tires again. They're the only dealer in my area and I would have to travel 35 miles if I wanted them balanced by a dealer in the future.

So, is this normal? Should they have placed the new weights in the same spot or was he correct in saying sometimes they have to be moved? They look bad IMO and I plan on keeping this one for awhile.

I told him I would let him know what I decide tomorrow. I tried calling another dealer and they wouldn't directly answer the question even though I acted clueless. What should I do?

 

[toto]

I've always thought it was normal.

The position of the balancing weight(s) has less to do with the rim, but more so the tire. If the wheels were out of balance, then the weights were in the wrong spot and had to be moved and/or replaced with a different size weight.

Some people try to put the weights on the inner side (wheel well side) of the rim because of this cosmetic issue, but the tire doesn't always allow that. If the tire is too far off, either due to the way it was made or the wear pattern, then they have no choice but to put the weights on the outside of the rim.

As long as the correct type of weights were used for the rim in the first place, the dirty spot that's left behind is really dirt and not corrosion of the wheel. In that case, the spot eventually goes away over time, sometimes with the help of wheel cleaner.

 

[WaltB]

Thanks. I did use some wheel cleaner and it took some of the dirt away. It is scuffed where the weight was and I guess that will always be there.

 

[blindside]

That's the beauty of OEM wheels, you could put weight on both sides not just inside, downside is like you said it would leave some kind of mark on the wheels, the weights are moved from one spot to another whenever your wheels gets balanced.

I'm glad some of the dirt mark on your wheels are gone, i replaced my SR5 wheels (5000 miles only) a few months back and when they took of the weights there were deep marks on it, tried buffing it out but the mark was still there so i didn't bother anymore

 

[qballjr13]

Id take the new wheels and just find a local tires place to balance them. Its not rocket science and it doesn't need to be done by the dealer, most places can do it just fine. Those rims are worth more than any wheel balancing.

 

[Hank]

Here's my story: last fall I bought 4 new revos at a local Firestone retailer when they had the buy 3 get 1 free offer. Anyways, the tech f*** up all 4 of my rims when he replaced my tires. 3 of the 4 rims had weights in front and it looked like he used a needle nose plier to pry the weights off. The tip of the needle nose plier dug into the rim surface and created a little divot/dent on the rim surface. The damage didn't stop there, all 4 wheels had 4 long deep scratches on the inside of the rim. The markings were created by machine (i don't know the exact name for it) that removes the tire from the wheel and also for mounting the new tire back on the rim. The machine makes contact with the wheel at 4 points (like a large + or x) and clamps the inside of the wheel securely so it can spin the wheel/tire.

Upon getting my 4R back, I checked it out as I always do and I couldn't believe it. I've always had all my tires serviced/replaced at Costco in the past and never had a problem and I would've kept using them too except they no longer sell Bridgestones. This was my first experience with Firestone. So I went back in to complain to the manager on duty at the time (it was almost closing time). He had the nerve to say that the rims were already damaged before I brought it in because they use a "TOUCH-FREE TIRE MOUNTING TECHNIQUE". What a load of crock! I said that I've never had any of my previous tires (Dunlops) serviced before and all the weights were put on from the Toyota factory. The only work done before were 2 tire rotations and I did those myself at home. The manager blew me off as it was closing time already. I was really pissed at this point in time, but I knew that I wasn't gonna make any progress with this guy.

To make a long story a bit shorter, I unmounted all 4 rims at home the next day, took pictures of them and went back to the Firestone shop a few days later. This time the shop owner was there and I was gonna let him have it. Unfortunately for me, he was a real nice guy and didn't argue against me at all. He said that they can make things right by refinishing the scratches/marring on the rims. I wasn't gonna let them touch my rims again so we worked out another solution. Let's just say I got some of my $$$ back.

I'll see if I have time later today to post some pics of the damages

EDIT: Just to clarify, the needle nose plier markings/damages were about 3/4 inch away from the rim edge and about 1/4 inch (inward) away from where the lead weight used to be. I fully understand that lead weights leave markings on the rim and the lip itself (sometimes a silhouette), but my markings were further inward.

 

[druuu88]

wheel weights are moved all the time depending on how the tire needs to be balanced. as far as destroying the rim... they should do no more than leave dirt marks around where they were. you were right to make a big deal about it... as it was prob some careless mechanic in a hurry!

 

[Falls]

Moving wheel weights always leave a mark .

 

[WaltB]

Soooo many opinions. I would hate to get new rims, take it somewhere else and the same thing happen after ruining my relationship with the dealer. I did look at two tundra's and one tacoma that other people drive in my office and their rims looked fine. I guess I should get the new rims and start over somewhere else...

 

[<<<<]

My rims get abused a lot off and on-road, but as long as I'm the one doing damage - it's fine. I would be mad if i paid someone for tires and get wheels gouged as a bonus. They would be paying for OEM rims at dealers price, nothing less. In fact, I'd say that they just bought themselves set of scratched Toyota rims.

 

[ProMed]

Id take the new wheels and just find a local tires place to balance them. Its not rocket science and it doesn't need to be done by the dealer, most places can do it just fine. Those rims are worth more than any wheel balancing.

+1, no doubt about this. Easy decision imo.

 

[WaltB]

I called back to talk to the service manager and he was really short with me. He said the rims were ordered and I said OK, call me when they arrive. I guess I would expect this if I showed my a&& in front of everyone but I was really calm about the situation. I don't care to do business with people that act this way. I'm sure he knows his tech rushed this job that's why he offered the rims after seeing them.

My bro-in-law recommended a local tire shop so I will try my luck there because I'm sure they won't be balanced correctly when they put the new rims on.

 

[qballjr13]

Maybe just suck it up, have the dealer just load the wheels into your truck and pay the tire place to have them mount the tires for you. I hate to think like this but who knows what they do to the new rims. Did they ask you for the old rims back?

 

[WaltB]

Service Manager said, "I will put sticky weights on the inside of the new rims and never touch them again because this is normal!"