Tire Mount/Balance Shop for Tirerack orders

[MTP-Madmat]

I use wheel specialists in Tempe (near Tempe marketplace) mainly since it’s a block from work. They are a tirerack installer and it’s usually about $120 to mount a set of 4. 

[CMarkmann]

On 8/7/2023 at 12:53 PM, smeyers said:

Very sad news, but I know Cruz was always very busy.

So better news is that Discount Tire now owns Tire Rack, so they should have access to all the same tires now, and same prices too…..I would think.

That said, The Lift Shop should be able to also have better access to our “200 UTQG” tires. That’s a guess.

 

The flipside bad news to that is that Discount Tire won't touch wheel/tire fitments that are outside of the listed widths on the spec sheets, which makes fitments typically favored by autocrossers a problem for you to solve elsewhere. I had to deal with this first hand when they wouldn't touch 225s mounted on a 15x9 anymore. That mentality has also seemed to spread to Tire Rack as well, and things that I used to be able to just click and have show up at my door now have them giving follow-up phone calls to confirm I'm really sure that I want to put tires that size on my car.

[Manfred]

I've had decent luck getting my local Discount Tire to mount stuff without asking too many questions as long as I bring loose wheels/tires and make it clear they are for racing on non-public roads. They take on a lot of liability when they bolt wheels onto your car.

Similarly when I order on Tire Rack, I usually skip providing vehicle info. Note well that if you do something dumb like order a 245 for a 15" wheel instead of a 17" wheel like you meant to and don't select a vehicle, absolutely nobody will catch this mistake until there are tires on your porch and they look a little too small. Not that I've ever done that or anything...

[Matt U]

I will add one more shop to the list that will take Tire Rack orders and will mount autocross sizes for us south valley folks. Firestone Complete Auto Care, 922 S Val Vista Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85296, (480) 845-6406. I ran across them because I needed a patch on our other car and there was a stack of A052's and RPF1's among others, so I asked.

[J Balducci]

On 8/9/2023 at 10:37 AM, MTP-Madmat said:

I use wheel specialists in Tempe (near Tempe marketplace) mainly since it’s a block from work. They are a tirerack installer and it’s usually about $120 to mount a set of 4. 

Quick update on Wheel Specialists in Tempe.  Steve Morrison advised they have new pricing since ~October: 

$45/wheel install if you buy tires from them. 

$75/tire if you don't buy tires from them.  

Edited November 15, 2023 by J Balducci

[Nokones]

Tire Rack has contracted with various shops and Mobile Tire Installers throughout the Phoenix Area. I believe, you can search for a Shop or Mobile Installer from their website.

[cgroppi]

6 hours ago, J Balducci said:

Quick update on Wheel Specialists in Tempe.  Steve Morrison advised they have new pricing since ~October: 

$45/wheel install if you buy tires from them. 

$75/tire if you don't buy tires from them.  

$300 to get a set of 4 mounted? You have to be kidding me. Crossing them off the list. 

[J Balducci]

On 4/4/2023 at 10:38 AM, SSLance said:

I have used RIck Alvaraz and Mobile Tire Installers several times now and they are my go to guys for tire mounting.  

https://www.facebook.com/MobileTireInstallers

https://mtimobiletire.com/

(480) 220-1949

mobiletireinstallers@gmail.com

 

He comes out of the San Tan Valley so can have somewhat of a hefty trip charge to the NW Valley unless you can schedule it when he is already coming to somewhere near you.  

 

I called this installer and they quoted $60/tire dismount/mt/balance at my SE Valley home.

Edited November 16, 2023 by J Balducci

[smeyers]

7 minutes ago, J Balducci said:

I called this installer and they quoted $60/tire mt/balance at my SE Valley home.

So are you guys quoting “dismounting, mounting, and balancing” for these prices? Old tires need to come off first, right?😉

[David 2]

$45 each for 17s mounted on new wheels.  Happy with the service.

MOBILE TIRES AND BATTERIES

539 W Southern Hills Rd

PHOENIX, AZ 

602 743 9029

[J Balducci]

1 hour ago, smeyers said:

So are you guys quoting “dismounting, mounting, and balancing” for these prices? Old tires need to come off first, right?😉

Yes-  updated my posts.  Dismount/mount/balance.  I wanted to try Wheel Specialists since they have a mounter that holds the wheel via the face side lug holes with no part of the wheel face touching the machine and thus 'almost' no chance for wheel damage) vs most everyone's std rim or barrel clamping (vs Lift Shop's face down, center centric + 1 lug hole hold method... which is excellent).  Went with local Disc. Tire and asked for experienced mounter and they did a great job for $109 (dismt/mt/balance/dispose 4 tires). For super special wheels - the mounting machine at Wheel Specialists is second to none since there is no clamping on the wheel face nor the rim.  They will also Saran wrap the rim edges to protect from any lever contacts but their price is over the top for a std wheel.

Edited November 16, 2023 by J Balducci

[jw1]

With the Lift Shop no longer an option, who will mount used tires?     I just bring loose wheels and tires and need them mounted and balanced.

[smeyers]

I too always bring loose tires and wheels.......never on the car. And pay with cash.

[Dave Bahl]

I had problems with Discount Tire as well, scratched up set of wheels, repainted them and then messed them up again.  Went to different Discount dealer AWESOME guys, knew what I wanted took great care of me... then he was gone, new guy was big jerk so I haven't been back.  I have a guy I've used only once but SUPER cool private dealership... give him my business and money, Avondale area for those who'd like to know I'll get his number. 

[smeyers]

The problem with Discount Tire is retention of the good tire technicians. Every now and then I'll find a good one, and then the next time there they are gone.

[David 2]

My very first job at 16 (not counting the paper route) was as a tire break at Tire Pros in Anaheim, CA.  By today's standard the equipment was very crude.  But, if one used the tools properly and cared about the customers property you could totally avoid damaging it.  How it happens over and over again is a wonder.  Though, it was very easy to rip the bead on a tire back then.  But the wheel could be protected.

[hpirrera]

I may have a solution if anyone is interested!

So I recently purchased tire equipment (Mounter and Balancer). I am out in Gilbert if anyone wants to bring some work by. $50+a six pack of your choosing that you have to help me drink!

Couple rules though... This is just me at home. I have done my wheels without scratches many times but I cant warranty anything so if you are scared of scratches or scuffs, probably best to continue using your existing shop. TPMS... I would prefer to do wheels without these just for the risk of breaking them. I have successfully mounted with sensors several times, but once again, this is just an at home thing. Lastly, if I cant get a bead to seat or a tire mounted or whatever, no charge, I'll give everything back except the drinks that have been drank. 

Feel free to shoot me a message here or a txt - 615-504-2538

 

-Hayden

 

[CRBWS6]

Hope everyone is having a nice summer. 

My take away from this thread, and a discussion with a few folks at AMP several months ago, is that Cruz may still be taking care of us SCCA folks if we bring the tires loose on our own and pay cash (i.e. don't drop-ship from Tire Rack)?

Anyone use Cruz lately to verify this?  

[smeyers]

Yes. I just had a set of tires done there. I ship the tires to home and bring those and the old set (wheels and tires) to him.

What I have always done is cash only, and *I* choose to not ask for a receipt.  I also just leave them there early, and they will call when done. Usually morning drop-off, and they typically call when ready later, usually around 3:00.

They really are doing us a big favor IMO. Consistent quality worry-free work on a touch-less machine, by serious professionals. His shop is is soooo busy, he just fits us in as best he can. He does not need us, really.

Edited June 7 by smeyers

[David 2]

1 hour ago, smeyers said:

 

Thanks Scott!

Edited June 7 by David 2

[CRBWS6]

Thanks Scott.  Did you call Cruz beforehand or just drop them off unannounced?   I used to call ahead, but sometimes the front desk guys seemed a little irritated.  

 

[smeyers]

OK, here's the best way to arrange this. The front desk (Bill?) knows nothing much of this, they are involved with selling the biggest and most expensive wheels known to man for the big lifted trucks. Cruz has his own little crew in the back doing all of the mounting and installing. Big, big bucks. So they always transfer me to "The Shop". Just mention SCCA Tire Mounting and Cruz.

But, I've learned to ask for Kyle (or Cruz, but he is usually very busy), and Kyle knows "The SCCA Drill". While an appointment is not really needed, I've always called the day before just to let them know I'm coming, and to make sure the day I have planned is not extremely busy for them. Again, they typically fit me in. There is no back desk number that I am aware of.

Then as I stated, I always bring cash broken into smaller denominations so I can match whatever the price that day is. It may vary some, depending on the work needed and the size of the equipment. This has worked well for many years now. And our discount is ONLY for mounting SCCA Race or Autocross tires, not for your tow vehicle or personal car.

Make sense?

[David 2]

3 minutes ago, smeyers said:

OK, here's the best way to arrange this. The front desk (Bill?) knows nothing much of this, they are involved with selling the biggest and most expensive wheels known to man for the big lifted trucks. Cruz has his own little crew in the back doing all of the mounting and installing. Big, big bucks. So they always transfer me to "The Shop". Just mention SCCA Tire Mounting and Cruz.

But, I've learned to ask for Kyle (or Cruz, but he is usually very busy), and Kyle knows "The SCCA Drill". While an appointment is not really needed, I've always called the day before just to let them know I'm coming, and to make sure the day I have planned is not extremely busy for them. Again, they typically fit me in. There is no back desk number that I am aware of.

Then as I stated, I always bring cash broken into smaller denominations so I can match whatever the price that day is. It may vary some, depending on the work needed and the size of the equipment. This has worked well for many years now. And our discount is ONLY for mounting SCCA Race or Autocross tires, not for your tow vehicle or personal car.

Make sense?

Kyle has his own BMW race car so he is of like mind to us and doesn't seem to mind.  But, this is clearly not their primary business of doing our little race car tires.  But they are very, very good at it.

[CRBWS6]

2 hours ago, smeyers said:

OK, here's the best way to arrange this. The front desk (Bill?) knows nothing much of this, they are involved with selling the biggest and most expensive wheels known to man for the big lifted trucks. Cruz has his own little crew in the back doing all of the mounting and installing. Big, big bucks. So they always transfer me to "The Shop". Just mention SCCA Tire Mounting and Cruz.

But, I've learned to ask for Kyle (or Cruz, but he is usually very busy), and Kyle knows "The SCCA Drill". While an appointment is not really needed, I've always called the day before just to let them know I'm coming, and to make sure the day I have planned is not extremely busy for them. Again, they typically fit me in. There is no back desk number that I am aware of.

Then as I stated, I always bring cash broken into smaller denominations so I can match whatever the price that day is. It may vary some, depending on the work needed and the size of the equipment. This has worked well for many years now. And our discount is ONLY for mounting SCCA Race or Autocross tires, not for your tow vehicle or personal car.

Make sense?

Roger that.  Makes perfect sense.  I agree Kyle was cool, but not always around.  Fortunately, the Lift Shop is now conveniently between my home and office.