damian35 Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Hi, I just want a reality check on how annoyed I should be with the following situation... I have a Golf Mk6, couple of yeats old with their standard 17" wheels. It's a family car but I'm particular about looking after it. I went to a reasonably well known tyre centre, partly because they had a touchless kit, for a couple of new tyres. I also wanted a geometry check. I asked them to use the touchless kit but the lad and his boss were adamant that this wasn't necessary as there would be no damage if care was taken, etc. Anyway, I had the tyres change and a geometry alignment but when I got home I noticed about 4 or so small scratches on the rims on both wheels - I will try to post a couple of photos when I work out how. I put thr damage down to the tyre change, although thinking about it I wonder whether it could be down to their Corghi geometry clamps. I've also just noticed that the balancing weights have been tapped into the inside wheel rim, rather than stuck on the inside if the wheel as I expected (and as they had done on a previous installation). Anyway, to cut a long story short, I'm totally peeved off with the situation and have complained. They have offered to change the fronts at cost (saving me £50 quid) when they need changing in a few months. It's not the "compensation" want but just the job doing as I asked. Partly feel stupid for letting them do it their way but thought I could trust them, etc. Should I just let it go or should I get increasingly wound up by this. Many thanks for any views, Damian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I wouldn't be happy, they didn't follow your instructions ans consequently caused damage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 You wouldn't put up with it if they scratched both wings would you? If the damage looks like chips the it's the clamp, if the damage goes around the rim like a line then it's the fitting machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian35 Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Many thanks for the comments. Looking again it does look like the marks are more like indents, and there are about 4 on each wheel, it could be due to the geometry clamps. I'm guessing there are some metal components on where the clamps touch the rims. Should I also be concerned about the balancing weights clipped on the inside rim, rather than adhesive? Anyway, it is would be unreasonable to want the alloys replaced but do you thin 50 odd quid of my next set of tyres is adequate compensation? Damian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 They should repair/touch-up the wheels to a state you are happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 The chips and scratches will creep over time, it will cost you much more than £50 to put right when that happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelZ Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 I prefer the "proper" knock-on weights, those sticky one are a disaster, they either fall off, or the sticky stuff is on there for eternity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 Don't have them on the front of the wheels, they will peel in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian35 Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Hi, Just a quick update. It looks like the scratches are from the geometry clamps. They are in a triangular pattern on the wheel rims and they seem to appear on all the wheels, not just the back two as originally thought. I don't think I want to trust them with a repair and can probably live with the scratches. I might just clean them up and do a light spray with some Wurth lacquer to seal the damage. I have previously slightly kerb one of the front wheels, so if I can find someone I can trust with the repair up here in the West Midlands, I might get them to sort the scratches. Anyway, I'm down to 2.5mm on the fronts and just got a puncture, so I'm probably going to let them replace at cost as they originally offered. I'm guessing I should ask them to use knock on weights given your views. Thanks again for your views. It's a shame even what you think as a reliable fitting company makes some basic mistakes. Damian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Do you have any photos of what the scratches look like. Anything that touches the rim I would have thought will have a rubber cover on it to prevent any damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I don't understand why tyre centers use that type of clamping system, all geo machines have alternative tyre huggers which cannot damage the wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian35 Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 It's got to be the clamps given the consistent pattern of the scratches over several wheels. Just a c**k up on the tyre centres part I guess, hopefully they will learn from the feedback. One question though, should I be asking for knock on weights on the inside of the fronts and ifso, do I need to remind them to be catteful when fitting them? Thanks, Damian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 In my opinion knock on weights are only for steel wheels. Knocking them on alloys strips off the paint, next thing you know the wheel is corroded. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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