So I needed to get some tires changed, no big deal. Last time I went down the road to Schwabs they charged be $65 for all 4 since I brought them in the back of my car and I already had the tires. I was a happy camper, the guy was nice and did it on the spot even though I didn't need them for a while.
Today was a different story. The guy at the counter didn't want to do it because the tires were from somewhere else. I mentioned that if they could get decent DOT racing tires I would have considered them, but they can't soo...
He says he'll do it, and to come back in a few hours. He also says that they NEVER do this sort of thing. Which is odd because they have one this for me on a number of occasions... anyways.
I come back, and WOW- $140! That didn't exactly tickle me pink. They charged me just as much as if I had them installed on my car! I know that people need to make money, but that's ridiculous for 15min of work!
It has been a fun morning. Rant over.

So... how do you all get your tires changed out on a regular basis and balanced WITHOUT breaking the bank?

I broke down and bought one of the harbor freight manual tire changers...


not bad on regular tires. a good workout trying to do a 205/50-15 Hoosier on a 6" wide wheel, but I still managed to get the two done that I needed.

Mine is currently bolted to a pallet - and I then stack other tires on the pallet. Next time I decide to do anything with r-compounds, i'ma look harder at getting the thing bolted into the concrete.

haven't tried to do rally tires.

//looks like it may be discontinued from HF...

Local place here does 5 bucks on and and 5 bucks off

Schwabs here usually does our racing stuff at no charge. It is really just a matter of the local crew running the store, some are good, some aren't.

Local tire reseller. The guys that sell used tires are always happy to do it for 5 bux a pop. If you cant find one make a post on the local drifting forum. Those guys will know where to go.

Yeah. We just go to the Mexicans. $5 per. There's usually like 4 or 5 guys working so they get that shit done faster than I can smoke a cig.

Discount did my Falkens on my OZ's for cheap. Brought em in the back of the Jeep. The kid was stoked to be working on OZ's for some reason.

Ive had Schwabby do my Taco tires everytime. I get the rubber from tirerack and take em in. I had them put my Lassa's on the stock Rabbit rims. They tore a bead in the process. Refused to reimburse and then wanted $110, told em they can replace the tire if they want a check. If not id be happy to get my rims and tires myself. once i got my way i told em theyd never see me again.

That blows. Highway robbery, so to speak.

I ALWAYS ask what the charge will be before dropping tires off for mounting. I've found that local race shops charge a very reasonable fee for mounting and balancing tires. Plus, they understand racer's needs.

In the Seattle are I use:

Dependable Wheel Repair in Renton or Group 2 Motorsports next to Fisherman's Terminal in the north end.

Both of these shops are excellent.

---

Robert.

"You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli.

I give them a line about how these rally tires are really hard to mount, and their machine might be too wimpy to get them on there, they always bust them out super quick.

In the Seattle area I reccomend Tight-n-Tidy racing (www.tightntidy.com). Karl and Amy are National-level autocrossers who run a tire shop out of their house with state of the art machines. They specialize in hard to fit race rubber and high dollar wheels. They will NOT screw up your stuff. Last set I had done cost me $65 (and the 5th set is free!)

You will not find better people to deal with and Karl is an encyclopedia of tire knowlege (plus he can change a Subaru transmission faster than anyone not on the factory team!)

Quote
Rallymech
In the Seattle are I use:

Dependable Wheel Repair in Renton or Group 2 Motorsports next to Fisherman's Terminal in the north end.

Both of these shops are excellent.

Prices?

You in town Robert?
Wanna go help bang out a cage?

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Wal-Mart tire center. $10/tire mount and balance. or $5/tire just to mount if you don't care about balancing.

Garth at Trackside motorsports, he mounts the rally tires for us at work for $10 a wack without breaking a sweat

I'd work something out with a local store. I only go to 1 store and i send as many autocrossers as i can. they repay my loyalty with the occasional free tire mounting and balance, but usually i pay $10 a tire (mount + balance) i try to drop them off and pick them up a day later so the store can do it doing a lull and it makes it more profitable for them.

I also buy street tires from them, even if i can find a slightly better price.