I bought my Tacoma used about a month ago (05 PreRunner Double Cab) and it had some wheel vibration at highway speeds. After poking around here and learning that the Tacoma has lug-centric wheels I thought I would give a fresh balance job a try. And here is the Discount Tire story of the event...
I explained to the guy (Assistant Manager) that I had the vibration and wanted to get a balance, and that I read that Toyota trucks have the lug-centric wheels and asked him to balance it that way.
When they pulled my truck in the garage I watched to see what they were doing, and to my suprise, they threw the wheel on the balance machine through the hole in the wheel for the hub. I went up to the AM and told him what I saw and he proceeded to tell me this.
"Well sir, the only way to balance a wheel is by the hub and we have absolutely no lug-centric equipment in the shop." I responded by getting a little irritated and asked why he did not tell me that when I specifically said I wanted a lug centric balance, and why the lug-centric adapters were hanging on the wall right next to the machine my wheel was on. Yes, I could see them from the waiting room in plain view.
He got a little mad and gave me the "just a minute sir" line. Walked out there, took the adapter off the wall and handed it to the tech. He came back in and very rudely said "Well, we will just see how this works." So much for the customer is always right...
So today, the balance weights are in completely different locatoins than the were before and the vibration is completely gone.
If that's the only thing this forum does for me, then I am more than happy with that. Thanks!
you're patience is amazing..after he blew-off your concerns and then lied about not having lug-centric tooling, I would have taken my business elsewhere!
Did you lift your truck by chance? I have a slight vbration on mine at 10-15mph with my lift + shims and wasn't sure if it was the way they were balanced. I think ima have it checked out.
Yeah, that's rediculous how they treated you. I got my tires at a smaller Goodyear dealer. They didn't have lug centric equipment, so they drove my wheels and tires to a performance shop that did have the right equipment, then they paid to have them balanced.
They made me pay before taking my truck in the garage. If they were not going to do it the way I asked, I would have definitely made them refund my money. I will definitely not go back to that Discount Tire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneMnk
Did you lift your truck by chance? I have a slight vbration on mine at 10-15mph with my lift + shims and wasn't sure if it was the way they were balanced. I think ima have it checked out.
No, mine is bone stock because I have to drive clients around in it. But I would definitely get the balance checked. it can't hurt. I would imagine that any big tire shop has the equipment.
I had never seen/noticed a lug centric adapter yesterday, but it was obvious what they were (I am glad I was right) It just looks like a metal ring with lugs sticking out of it.
I think I will swing by there today and see if the guy is there and tell him what a great job the guys did balancing my wheels. Just to kill him with kindness.
The whole "lug centric" thing is new to me, but now I get it after reading the many threads about it. Don't you wonder how many people out there with Toyota trucks get tire and wheel work done, and are clueless to this "special need?" It's obvious that you can't depend on the tire chains to take care of that for you.
The whole "lug centric" thing is new to me, but now I get it after reading the many threads about it. Don't you wonder how many people out there with Toyota trucks get tire and wheel work done, and are clueless to this "special need?" It's obvious that you can't depend on the tire chains to take care of that for you.
Lug centric wheels are not exclusive to Toyota's, other manufacturers use lug centric wheels as well. My wife's WRX has lug centric wheels. I upgraded the wheels/tires a couple years back, and thought "I'll just get the wheels, and tires mounted/ balanced, get the car aligned, and be good to go." WRONG. Eight trips to get the tires balanced, by four different tire shops, and an internet education on tire balancing, led me to the place I go to now, that has both the Hunter road force balancer, and the Haweka lug centric adapters. This combination of equipment is a must for anybody that has lug centric wheels that is looking for a glass smooth ride.
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Black 05 V6 AC 4WD TRD Offroad
Bilstien 5100's, 275/70/16 Revo's, Lorado Tonneau, Factory DeeZee's
I bought my 06 with the vibe present and only 20 miles on the odometer. They took my truck back twice and finally got it balanced right. It rides nice like I think it should. Glad to hear you got it worked out . My next set of tires will be mounted at a shop that has the lug centric stuff for sure.
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2006 Double Cab Super White Prerunner Sport
8 Mods So Far, Fog Lights, Map Light, DRL Mod, 18% Tint All Over, and Power Outlet Always On, TRD Seat Covers, Homelink Mirror, Redline Hood Supports
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