Inexpensive tire balancing

noid · 05-10-2013, 05:28 PM

Where do you guys go for inexpensive tire balancing?

Most places charge $12-15/tire which seems like a rip off. I have balanced many tires many years ago when I was in highschool (shop class), and there is no way it takes a pro over a half hour shop time to balance tires.

Dinanstu · 05-10-2013, 08:18 PM

$12-15 sounds good to me.

dbworld4k · 05-10-2013, 08:20 PM

$15 is the going rate pretty much everywhere.

propr'one · 05-10-2013, 08:24 PM

half hour? where do you get your cars worked on for 30 an hour?

most shops charge 150$+ an hour

Nick_V · 05-13-2013, 08:45 PM

^$15x4=$60. Probably what he meant. And are shops really charging that much now? $150+ per hour??

noid · 05-13-2013, 09:21 PM

Yes $12-$15 x 4. I ended up going to Altech for an alignment and Kipling tire for a balance.

Kipling charges $12.50 tire. Cash price was $45.

No shops charge $150 around here that I know of, I think buds is $115. I know shops in the states (florida/california) are $200+.

tofubomb · 05-14-2013, 01:46 PM

Are you generally in the Burlington area? If you hit up some of the places in Scarborough/Markham I believe there's places that do ~$10 a wheel. I remember paying ~$40 for a full set.

Maybe if you're in the area next time.

**T.Dot_E30** · 05-14-2013, 03:02 PM

Did you forget to include the time it takes to put the car on the lift, remove the tires from the car, remove old weights, the cost of weights, etc?

You'd probably shit yourself if you had to pay for roadforce balancing.

If you have a problem with it, go buy yourself a balancing machine and balance your own wheels. Complaining about it won't do you no good.

tofubomb · 05-14-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

Did you forget to include the time it takes to put the car on the lift, remove the tires from the car, remove old weights, the cost of weights, etc?

You'd probably shit yourself if you had to pay for roadforce balancing.

If you have a problem with it, go buy yourself a balancing machine and balance your own wheels. Complaining about it won't do you no good.

True, I believe the ~$10 per wheel is for the regular balancing machine they've used for years (lately with a digital display) ... works well enough for my beater civic though

jabela · 05-14-2013, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noid

Yes $12-$15 x 4. I ended up going to Altech for an alignment and Kipling tire for a balance.

Kipling charges $12.50 tire. Cash price was $45.

No shops charge $150 around here that I know of, I think buds is $115. I know shops in the states (florida/california) are $200+.

Why not have Altech do the mounting and balancing? I had them mount and balance 2 sets of wheels and do my alignment.

noid · 05-14-2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabela

Why not have Altech do the mounting and balancing? I had them mount and balance 2 sets of wheels and do my alignment.

Pat was short staffed that day because his guys were out getting VW training. He was actually the one that recommended I go see Alex at Kipling.

jabela · 05-15-2013, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noid

Pat was short staffed that day because his guys were out getting VW training. He was actually the one that recommended I go see Alex at Kipling.

Makes sense. Those guys always seem to be super busy. I'll keep Kipling Tire in mind for next time.

noid · 05-15-2013, 01:38 AM

Kipling was mediocre. Alex is the counter guy not a tech. They use jacks instead of a lift and the guys seems to be rushed (because they are very busy). There were some questionable techs there, I lucked out and got one of the normal-er ones. Since the price is nothing to write home about I would skip them.

jabela · 05-15-2013, 01:54 AM

Yeesh... that is kinda sketchy. Guess I'll just wait at Altech. I try to call before going to make sure they're not extra busy.