who can you recommend in the metro atlanta area for mounting and balancing tires?

nothing too exotic, 15 or 16 inch MXV4's on probably OE wheels.

thanks in advance for your input. - benton

I'm not from Atlanta, but I can offer some advice.

The key is finding someone with the right attitude AND understands the necessity for DYNAMIC balancing. This means putting weights on two planes.

If you find someone who is familiar with using tape weights, just behind the spokes for the outer plane, then you have probably found someone who knows what they're doing.

This job requires about 25% knowledge and about 75% attitude for doing a careful and thorough job. It's not rocket science, it just requires the desire to do a good job.

If one of these tire store jocks tries to tell you that you only need balance weights on the inside of the wheel, find someone else. If you only use weights on the inboard lip for a static balance, you will almost certainly have vibration on an MB with its nimble suspension.

Good luck,

Benton,
If you can't make it up to the shop (211 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.) then I know someone who is good in the Roswell/Dunwoody area. Don't know if that works for you but if so let me know (Lee@peachparts.com) and I'll get you the info.

Hope this helps,
Lee

Benton,

I think there's one other Discount Tire besides the one here in Woodstock...I think it may be in the Atl. area.

The one here uses Hunter GSP9700 balancers....the grandy daddy of wheel balancing machines.

Of course, the people have to know how to use them. I've had very good service from the one in my area.

__________________
Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

to all, thanks for your input.

i am in the NW-ATL area, actually acworth at I-75 and wade green.

will DT mount/balance tires they did not sell? if not, do you feel their tire pricing is reasonable?

i would more typically buy the tires by Inet or MO from a vendor such as TIRE RACK, and look for local installation.

on last purchase for bmw-535, TR was able to give such a good price for 16" wheel and tire combo, that it made more sense to ditch those 15.5" TRX's to get into "normal" rubber condition!

big thumbs up to TIRE RACK! thanks, - benton

Benton,

it might suprise you to know that DT even price matches mail order TR prices!

Suprised the heck outa me when I first found out. Even before any price matching, they're prices are VERY VERY good.

As for mounting/balancing tires they didn't sell to you....I've had them balancing some tires I bought from TR w/o them even blinking an eye. I don't think they'd have any problem doing the work for you.

Chris
'85 300SD

Benton,

You could also look at Tire Rack's "recommended installers" for your zip code (or surrounding zip's). They should be able to point you in the right direction for someone to do the install/labor if you already have the tires from TR.

Hope this helps,
Lee

I'm a little embarrassed. I did not think of recommending MB Autowerks for mounting and balancing tires. I guess they come to mind for more advanced work.

Sorry,

MB Autowerks

__________________

Please, call me to place orders or for more info
use my name for on-line orders

FYI- i saw the Discount Tire location near town center mall last nite on Busbee Pkyw across from walmart. (in metro atlanta)

i called today to get pricing on MXV4's and find out which balancer they use.

they said that they use the "latest" Hunter machine that produces twice the load "force" that the older hunter machine at the woodstock shop uses.

they quoted $590 for 195/65/15 MXV4's drive-out. that included road HAZ and lifetime balancing on that newest hunter machine.

Check that price against whatever Luke is running these days on like/same tires + what his closest recommended installer would charge.

Hope this helps,
Lee

I recommend Gran-Turismo in Chamblee. They spin balance the wheels ON THE CAR and fixed the shakes on my car that I'd given up on.